Maintenance Tips to Keep your Car Running Smoothly
How often should I get my oil changed? What kind of maintenance does my vehicle require? Is it worth spending time and money at the service station every month or year? These questions might seem obvious, but they’re important to answer before you decide whether to spend money on regular servicing. The average lifespan of a vehicle is around 11 years, but some vehicles last much longer. In general, cars need their fluids checked regularly (oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid) and tires rotated every 6 months. Keep reading to discover useful tips to keep your vehicle running smoothly.
Why isn’t my car running smoothly?
Have you ever noticed that your car shakes or feels bumpy, depending on the speed? Does your automobile tremble, or your steering wheel vibrate? Whatever the pace, your car should drive smoothly. The presence of excessive vibration, bumping, shaking, or wobbling indicates a potential vehicle issue.
Tire issues
Excessive tire pressure, uneven tire wear, and unbalanced tires are all common issues. Normally, adjusting the tire pressure is straightforward and involves using a pressure gauge. However, if too much time has elapsed, insufficient air pressure might result in further tire wear, and too much air pressure can deform or accelerate tire wear. Make sure to contact a car mechanic to have your tires rotated and balanced if your steering wheel is trembling. If the tire is wearing down more quickly on one side, you may require alignment.
Transmission issues
The suspension system of your car connects the tires to the body of the car and serves as a shock absorber so that you won’t notice every speed bump or pothole. Numerous parts make up the suspension system and problems with any one of them could result in a rough ride.
Brake issues
If you experience shuddering or vibrations when you decelerate, you may have braking issues. Squeaking or squealing noises are undoubtedly a warning sign. If you experience these issues, it might mean that you need new brake pads. We recommend having your car checked out as soon if you notice jerky braking.
Axle issues
In a collision or other event, an axle can be damaged very easily. Any dents, bends, or damage implies that the wheels won’t spin evenly because it is the axle that drives your vehicle’s wheels. Tires may not spin evenly for a variety of reasons. They might be too close to the curb or your car’s rim might be fractured.
Engine issues
If the engine doesn’t have enough air, fuel, or spark to run smoothly, vibrations may emerge from it. If you experience vibrations during acceleration or within a certain speed range, engine issues may be to blame. Engine accidents can be prevented with proper maintenance.
Car maintenance checklist
Cars require routine maintenance to ensure that they operate at their best. This is especially true if you don’t drive your car often. As a result of infrequent use, it may experience problems. Thankfully, the likelihood of these problems occurring can be minimized with a few simple tips.
The following are things you should check if you want to ensure that your car runs smoothly:
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Pressure in tires
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Tread depth on tires
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Brakes
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Battery
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Antifreeze, coolant, and engine oil
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Diesel particulate filter (DPF)
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Air conditioning fuel
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Lights
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Security
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Documentation
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Exterior and interior
11 easy things you can do to make your car last longer
How do I make my car run smoother?
Anti-rust treatment
By routinely checking your car’s paint job, and adhering to a washing and waxing plan, most rust problems can be prevented. You can save thousands of dollars and increase the lifespan of your car by applying an anti-rust treatment once a year.
Which rust proofing option is right for you?
Engine maintenance
Is your engine working? If not, it may need more oil to function. Engines require oil replenishment every three months or 3,000 miles. However, you should replace your oil more frequently if you tow a trailer, drive in dusty conditions, or constantly navigate stop-and-go traffic.
Be sure to schedule the following engine-related services on a regular basis in order to keep your vehicle running smoothly:
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Replace the oil
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Change the engine air filters
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Verify the PCV valve’s functionality
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Check the wires and plugs for sparks
Brake maintenance
Today’s automobiles often have drum brakes in the back, and disc brakes up front. To slow down and stop your car, all brakes depend on friction, which is provided by either a brake pad or a brake shoe. With a disc brake, a spinning disc or rotor, is grabbed by a caliper equipped with brake pads to stop a wheel. A wheel cylinder on a drum brake forces a brake shoe up against the interior of a rotating drum.
Brakes emit specific warning signals when they require a mechanic’s attention. For instance, a low or spongy pedal may indicate that the hydraulic system contains air. If your red brake’s warning light continues to flash, your hydraulic system may not be balanced. Additionally, even while some braking noises are common, chirps, persistent squeals, and grinding noises almost always indicate that it’s time for new brake shoes or pads.
It’s a good idea to have your brakes looked at whenever you detect anything unusual with them. You may find a car maintenance schedule for maintaining the health of your brakes in the owner manual of your vehicle. To be on the safe side, you should have your brakes examined once a year.
Suspension system maintenance
Your suspension system includes your tires, steering, springs, struts, and shocks. Together, they all keep you safe and in control while driving. Occasionally, an issue in one place can be a sign of an issue in another. For instance, your tire pressure may be the only thing to blame if you detect uneven tire wear. The pressure might be too great if there is more wear in the center, and too low if the edges show heavy wear.
However, if you see severe wear on just one edge, it’s usually an indication that you have an alignment issue that needs to be fixed by a technician. You should get your steering and suspension systems inspected if you experience this or other issues such as pulling or vibrations in the steering wheel. The power steering fluid should be checked if you hear strange noises while driving. Furthermore, all significant suspension parts, such as shocks, struts, and springs, should be visually inspected.
Rustproofing services
Rust proofing your car is key to ensuring that it runs smoothly for years to come. At Antirouille Champlain, we are committed to ensuring that your car receives the highest quality anti-rust treatment. Our rustproofing services will ensure that your vehicle is always ready to hit the road.