Your car is more than just a mode of transportation; it’s a valuable asset that gets you to wherever you need to go. For that reason, it’s important to give it proper care and attention to keep it driving in peak condition for as long as possible.
It’s easy to take your car for granted when it’s running smoothly, but car issues can quickly develop, often without any notice. That’s why regular car maintenance is essential for every vehicle owner.
Car maintenance may sound vague and confusing if you’re unfamiliar with cars and how they work. But ignoring problems and failing to conduct car maintenance checks on your vehicle can result in lasting damage.
It’s not always easy to carry out preventive maintenance measures regularly. Aside from the cost implications, there may be other obligations that prevent you from maintaining your vehicle to the highest standard.
To help you prioritise and plan, we’ve put together a list of common car maintenance mistakes that anyone can make to help you prevent any quality issues with your car.
1) Neglecting Fluid Checks
It’s a common misconception that oil is the only fluid that needs to be checked and changed within your vehicle.
While oil is one of the vital fluids in your car, you also need to check, change, or top off other fluids, including brake fluid, engine coolant, and transmission fluid. These should all be checked and serviced as recommended by the manufacturer of your vehicle.
Conducting fluid checks regularly will help you avoid leaks and keep your car running smoothly.
2) Failing to Check Tyre Pressure
Tyre pressure maintenance is important to maintain fuel economy and road safety, as well as preventing flat tyres.
Many people often forget to check the air pressure in their tyres. However, while your tyres might look fine, they may be low on air.
If your tyres are under-inflated, they may wear out more quickly, and low tyre pressure can also lead to reduced fuel efficiency. Even if you don’t notice this issue initially, you may find yourself having to refuel more frequently as a result.
During car maintenance and repair, it’s always a good idea to check your tyre pressure, as you never know when it might be getting low.
3) Ignoring Warning Lights
Dashboard warning lights appear for a reason and act as a warning sign to signal specific car issues. Some common issues that could appear as a result of ignoring these warning lights include low tyre pressure, low oil levels, and engine trouble.
Ignoring your dashboard warning lights can have significant consequences for the health of your vehicle, as well as your own safety. So when you notice a dashboard warning light, it’s best to address the issue as soon as possible.
4) Not Inspecting the Brakes
It’s easy to ignore a squealing noise coming from worn-down brakes. You may even convince yourself that the issue is nothing to be concerned about, or even that the noise is coming from another vehicle.
However, brakes are an incredibly important component of your car and need to be treated as such. If your brakes are worn down or aren’t functioning properly, your vehicle becomes unsafe.
So if you hear a squealing or grinding noise when you use your brakes, get your brake system evaluated by the experienced professionals at In Town Automotive.
5) Using the Wrong Oil
Not all engine oils are the same. To avoid expensive damage, you need to be vigilant about only using the correct engine oil for your vehicle.
It’s not the brand of oil that matters, but rather the viscosity and type of oil that can make a big difference in the functioning of your vehicle.
Using the wrong oil can lead to a variety of issues with your car, including overheating, engine failures and bad smells. When you’re replacing engine oil, consult your owner’s manual to make absolutely certain that you’re using the correct oil.
6) Neglecting to Check Wheel Alignment
Checking your wheel alignment is a fairly easy thing to overlook as you can drive for quite some time without getting it done. That said, having misaligned wheels is a car maintenance problem that can result in real issues.
To ensure your wheels are properly aligned, have your tyres checked by In Town Automotive. If a wheel alignment is recommended, it’s best to get it done as soon as you can.
7) Skipping Oil Changes
Over the years, motor oil and car engine technology has advanced so much that it’s no longer necessary to get an oil change as often as it once was. This is good news for you, meaning you can spend less time and money on this particular maintenance task. But that doesn’t mean you should skip your oil changes altogether.
To operate properly, your vehicle’s engine needs motor oil. Without it, the engine would eventually seize up and die.
It’s also important that the oil in your engine isn’t too old. If the oil is left for too long, it’ll begin to break down and can form nasty sludge in your engine. Instead of lubricating and cooling the engine parts, this oil sludge can damage parts inside the engine.
To avoid or prevent this issue, just make sure to get your oil changed (or do it yourself) when it’s due.
For Expert Car Maintenance Services, Contact In Town Automotive
When your car develops a problem, you may want to fix it yourself. But certain car issues are better delegated to a car maintenance professional.
The knowledgeable technicians at In Town Automotive are well-equipped with the skill and expertise to effectively service your vehicle and carry out effective car maintenance and repair.
We’re an award-winning garage in Northampton with decades of experience repairing clutches, exhausts, and cambelts, performing MOT tests, and more.
Our talented technicians offer comprehensive services to help you keep your car in excellent condition and ensure it continues to run smoothly.
To learn more about us, visit our services page or contact us to book an appointment today.
bookings@intownautomotive.co.uk