Keeping Your Car in Good Condition

Life is so fast paced that sometimes you can forget to maintain your car. Although a car wash is needed for the outside to look clean, keeping the internal organs such as the engine, brakes and filters in good shape is vital for your safety as well as important to preserve the life of your car.



Tyres



Checking the car tyres should be a weekly routine, particularly for cuts and splits on the threading. Measure the tyre pressure monthly because if the pressure is too low, your tyre could blow out on the road when it hits a bump. Maintain your car tyre pressure as the manufacturer recommended.



Engine



Open up the bonnet to see if there are any cracks or leaks in the battery. Also ensure that the battery terminals are well connected and not corroded, otherwise you may need to replace the battery.



Monitoring the engine’s oil is essential because insufficient amount of oil or contaminated oil will cause engine malfunction. When pulling out the dipstick, notice if the oil level sits between the ‘low’ and ‘high’ marks. If so, this is a good sign. Also make sure the oil colour is brown and transparent because this indicates that there are no internal engine problems.



When the engine is cool, check whether the levels of the coolant (antifreeze) are also between the ‘low’ and ‘high’ marks. Shortly after topping it up if needed, see if the coolant level reduces significantly. If so, this might indicate the presence of a leak.



Lights



It is a good idea to check on a monthly basis that all your lights work. Inspect if the headlights, tail lights, reversing lights, brake lights and indicators all work. Replace the bulbs if needed because other drivers rely on your signals from your car lights. Your safety and others’ safety are at risk if your car lights are not working.



Servicing



As there are many other areas of the car that need to be checked professionally, remember to service your car. The car’s manual states the particular kilometre intervals when the car needs a service. Try not to skip a service as there can be dangerous consequences including breaking down. During the service, the servicemen will check your car brakes and other parts of your car to ensure its correct functioning.



When purchasing a second hand car, be aware of the car’s history as it could end up being a lemon. A safer option could be to buy a cheaper new car. If money or bad credit history is an issue, there are organisations that can help by offering bad credit car finance.



While you might think a car is just a car, if it is not maintained carefully, your safety could be at risk. Help budget for your new car by searching for the right car loans. Perth, Sydney and other major Australian cities have lenders that can help you.