Owning a car in the GCC region is almost mandatory. The heat and dust can be exhausting, and it’s nice to take a break to relax and maybe even play แทงบอล online, but you have to get back on the road and your car has to be in good working condition.
The Basics of Car Maintenance
As a starter, you need to check your fluids. The oil, coolant and brake fluid are the unsung heroes of keeping the engine running smoothly. Ignoring them leads to an ugly and pricey situation. It’s a cool two minute job to look at the dipstick and crack open your car’s engine.
The car battery also takes a hit in extreme heat. Ignore the battery, and you’ll get corrosion around the terminals, and will be stuck on the side of the road at the worst time. Clean your battery with a wire brush when you see that white crusty stuff. This simple task will save you a huge headache in the end. Also, check the water level of your battery if it’s not a sealed unit.
Tire Maintenance
Tires take some abuse, especially in a hot asphalt environment. It’s not just avoiding a flat that you should check tire pressure for, it saves you money on gas, and helps keep you safe. It is a cheap and easy job to do a pressure check on your tires.
Tire treads matter too. Use the coin test if you want to, but if they look bald, put new tires on. Driving on bald tires in a rainstorm is just asking for a crash. It’s also a good idea to rotate the tires every 3,000-4,000 miles to prevent uneven wear. Don’t forget to check the spare tire to see if it needs air either.
Making An Automotive Maintenance Schedule
A lot of people ask how often these things should be done and instead of giving a convoluted chart, I’ve put together some guidelines so you know how to keep your car happy. Simply following these guidelines should keep you from getting unplanned stops on the side of a major highway.
- Every 5,000 miles: Change oil and filters, rotate tires
- Every 15,000 miles: Change air filters, check brake pads and brake fluid
- Every 30,000 miles: Check belts and hoses, replace spark plugs
- Every 60,000 miles: Flush and replace coolant, check transmission and check suspension
Finding A Trustworthy Automotive Maintenance Shop
In some cases, DIY’ing things in the garage isn’t enough. Like finding a good friend, finding a good mechanic is about trust and referrals. A good shop will explain what is wrong and won’t charge you for everything in the shop.
Get a written estimate before anything starts. Don’t get caught with unexpected charges when picking up your vehicle from the shop. You can find better shops to bring your business to.
Advanced Automotive Maintenance Tricks
You will learn to identify issues through listening to your engine as you learn. Different sounds may be a squeak or a knock or even a hum. Learn how to spot that weird sound early so you can prevent a major engine failure.
Avoiding Common Automotive Maintenance Mistakes
One of the worst things owners do is to continue to drive the car with a broken warning light on. That annoying check engine light is not a game. It will mean a lot to your bank account if you take the time to diagnose the issue with a cheap code reader first. Letting it go could cause and expensive engine failure.
Skipping the owner’s manual is a major loss too. You are literally handed a guide with everything your particular car requires.
Furthermore, washing your car, although seemingly trivial, is actually vital to maintenance. Bird crap, sand, and dust will erode your clear-coat and cause rust. Wax your car every few months and you’ll be surprised with how great your car looks.
