Most car problems evolve over a long period. They will start off very small and even unnoticeable. But, after more and more use, they will develop into an expensive mess.
Keeping these problems under control, however, will make them much more affordable. This post will go through some of the easiest parts of your car to overlook, and what to do to avoid big bills.
Oil
The oil in your car is used to cool and lubricate the engine. If you don’t have enough oil in your car, and you try to drive it, you could seize up the entire engine. The only solution to this problem, once it’s occurred, is to replace the entire engine. For a lot of cars on the road, this sort of bill would make them a right off. It’s extremely expensive to replace a full engine.
Thankfully, it’s easy to avoid this situation, with some regular observation. You can check your oil levels by popping the bonnet on your car and finding the oil dipstick. Pull the dipstick out and give it a wipe; to make sure that the results are accurate. Dip the dipstick back into the tank and remove it again. On most dipsticks, their will be a rough area towards the bottom. The oil should sit anywhere between those lines. Obviously, cars vary from model to model. So, if you have any trouble, consult the operation manual you received with the car. You can also find out the type of oil that you need to buy, from the manual.
It’s recommended that you check oil at least every three months, as well as before any long journeys. Different types of engine will consume oil at different rates. But, overtime you’ll get to know your car and figure out a good routine.
Tyres
Tyres need to be in good condition to grip the road properly. But, although most people would consider this obvious, they will still ignore the state of their tyres. They’re easy to forget, and you aren’t likely to notice a massive difference until it’s too late. You can’t do much to preserve tyres, other than driving well. So, when the time comes, you simply have to replace them. It’s not a problem, though, as there’s usually a group of tyre suppliers and fitters in most towns and cities. To save some money, you can go for second-hand tyres that haven’t been used for very long. They won’t last for long, but they’ll be cheaper.
In most places, it’s recommended that you have a minimum of 3mm of tread on your tyres. By law, in most countries, there’s an absolute minimum that you can drive with. Be aware of the law where you are, and regularly check to make sure that you are complying. If your tread is 1.6mm, and you’re travelling at 50mph, it can take an extra two car lengths to stop in wet conditions.
You will find different problems with different cars, so you’ll need to do some research of your own. The key to most car maintenance is observation; once you know what to look for, you can stop it before it’s a real problem.
