How to Maintain Your Car’s Engine for Years to Come
The engine is one of the most essential components of a car. Keeping it well-maintained is crucial to ensure that the car lasts for a long time.
However, enough attention is hardly paid to the engine unless it starts causing trouble. To avoid such a situation, it is important to implement the right steps to ensure the well-being of your engine.
There can be numerous causes that can result in engine problems. For example, lack of oil change, using poor quality of fuel, etc. can cause performance problems of cars.
Let’s take a look at some of the methods that can help you make the most of your car’s engine.
Replace the Oil at Regular Intervals
The engine oil keeps various components of the engine well lubricated. This helps them function properly and reduces the risk of overheating. Keeping the engine running for too long between oil changes can cause major and permanent damage to the engines. This is because the oil loses its ability to lubricate the engine parts and carbonises under high temperatures.
You should refer to the car manufacturer’s manual to find out the correct time interval between oil changes. You can also consult an auto repair shop or browse the Internet to find out about the ideal time interval.
Also, keeping the oil level of your engine in check is vital. Over time, engine oil degrades as you drive. Therefore, the oil level of the engine should be checked regularly.
Clean the Air Filter Regularly
The function of the air filter is to keep the dirt, debris, and other particles out of the engine. These unwanted particles get accumulated in the filter. This can impact the performance of the engine adversely. Cleaning is important to ensure that they function properly. It is advisable to take the car to a competent mechanic for cleaning the filters.
In addition to that, you should keep in mind that the air filters wear away with time. Therefore, keeping a regular check on them will help you determine the time these air filters need replacing.
Ensure That the Cooling System is Working Properly
Keeping the engine cool is crucial to ensure that it is working properly. The cooling system of the car’s engine includes the radiator, water pump, thermostat, and radiator fluid. Also known as the coolant, the radiator fluid circulates through the engine when it gets too hot.
If the level of the coolant fluid reduces below the minimum level, the engine becomes prone to get overheated. Therefore, it is important to check this level from time to time. A visual check can help. Ensure that the coolant level is below the maximum mark and above the minimum mark.
In case the engine overheats even with a filled coolant tank, you should get the cooling system checked by a mechanic to determine the source of the problem.
Check the Engine Drive Belts
A drive belt runs various components associated with an engine. Some of these components are an air conditioner, water pump, alternator, etc. These belts start running when the engine is turned on.
Owing to the high usage of these belts, they start showing signs of wear and tear with time. It can turn out to be a major problem if the belt snaps while driving. Therefore, it is crucial to check these belts for cracks from time to time. If you can hear a squeaking sound, it is a sure sign to replace the belts.
Repair Leaks
Oil and anti-freeze leaks are common for older engines. High temperature and pressure may result in the failure of engine hoses. This results in leaks. One of the signs of such leaks is the smell of engine oil. You can consider checking under the hood of your car to identify any fluid leaks. Another method will be to check under the car for fluid accumulation.
In addition to these, you should never ignore the warning lights and get the minor problems fixed as soon as they surface.
Taking proper care of your car is highly crucial. While accessories like personalised number plates can enhance the look of your car, the performance of the car can be improved considerably by keeping the engine well-maintained. Good driving habits can also ensure that your car’s engine runs smoothly.
