Simple DIY tips to maintain your car

Scheduled car maintenance is fundamental to avoid major repair bills and keep your vehicle running consistently for many years. Whether you do the work yourself or hire a trained mechanic, these simple DIY tips will empower you to give your car the maintenance it needs and save money along the way.

Engine oil change:

Your engine oil is at the heart of your engine and possibly the most important non mechanical part of your car. So keeping a close eye on the quality and quantity of engine oil used is absolutely critical. Most engine oils need to be changed every 5,000-10,000 kms depending on the type of engine oil you're using. If you are not sure about any of this information, you should refer to the owner's manual.

*Caution: never perform any mechanical work on an engine including changing of engine oil when the engine is hot. Wait for the engine to cool, and then get started.

Maintain car battery:

You car uses a plethora of electrical systems including a big computer (ECU) which controls all the electrical functions. All these electrical systems run on the battery. An ineffective battery could trigger an electrical problem or even knock out the ECU. Therefore maintaining the battery by changing the battery water or keeping the battery terminals rust free is absolutely essential.

Change brake pads:

This is a relatively easy task to perform and can be done with a few tools at-hand. However, not changing the brake pads on-time could prove to be a costly and dangerous affair. While changing the pads it could also be a good idea to check the brake oil and bleed the brakes if necessary.

*Caution: Brakes are an extremely sensitive part of your vehicle. Only tackle this job if you have the technical know-how or experience of working on brakes. If not your safest bet would be to take it to your professional mechanic.

Fuel filter:

Changing the fuel filter is not only good for your engine but also helps in improving your overall fuel economy, saving you some extra quid. There is no particular schedule for changing the filter, but the quality of fuel obtained at the petrol station is one good factor to keep in mind when considering periodic changes.

Air filter:

Replacing your air filter, is a easy job that can be performed without much technical knowhow. Nevertheless, the air filter plays a critical role in the optimum performance of your vehicle. Cars need a mixture of fuel and air to burn in order to move forward. Obstruct either one of the two and it can result in drastic reduction of power to your engine.