Have you bought a new car recently, or are you looking forward to keeping your older car running for longer in optimal condition? If you answered yes to one of these questions, it’s time to familiarise yourself with these essential car maintenance tips. ​

1. Keep the Interior Clean ​

Needless to say, how often we end up neglecting our car’s interior hygiene. Sand, grit, and crumbs can wreak havoc on seats and floorboards. Vacuum regularly, remove stains promptly and wipe away dirt, dust, and grime from the dashboard, doors, and console to help your car’s interior last longer.

​2. Check Fluid Levels ​

Your car’s owner’s manual includes instructions on checking the motor oil, brake fluid, coolant, windshield washer fluid, and power steering fluid. ​

If your engine oil level is too high or low, it can cause trouble for your engine. To check your oil level, park your car on level ground and wait for the engine to cool down. Once in a cool temperature, pull the dipstick out, wipe it clean, and push it back in the dip tube all the way. Remove and have a look at where the oil level comes to. If it’s between the two dots, your oil level is good. If it’s too low, add about 100ml and wait a while before checking again. ​

3. Don’t Skip the Car Wash ​

Salt, chemicals, and mud will dull automobile paint and lead to premature rusting if they aren’t promptly removed. Regular visits to the car wash will go a long way toward protecting your car’s finish, and while you’re there, be sure to have the undercarriage sprayed, as that’s where mud and gunk are most likely to build up. ​

4. Don’t leave the car sitting too long ​

Parking your car in the garage and taking a bus or bicycle is an excellent way to conserve fuel, but don’t leave the car sitting too long. When cars sit for months, they can develop misshapen tires, and their batteries can go bad, and—worst of all—rats and mice can set up residence under the hood, feasting on the car’s wiring until it’s destroyed. Even if you’re not using it regularly, start your car weekly, and drive it at least once a month. ​

5. Keep radiator water and coolant topped up ​

Your engine cannot go without coolant, so it’s one of the most important maintenance checks you can do. But before you do anything, ensure your coolant system has had the chance to cool down. Your coolant reservoir is usually a white semi-transparent bottle on the side of the radiator. It is marked with ‘low’ and ‘high’, indicating if you need to top up. ​

As a precautionary measure, always use a large cloth to take the radiator cap off when checking coolant levels. ​

6. Check Your Tire pressure regularly​

Incorrect tyre pressures can reduce the life of your tyres and may make your car less safe to drive. The average recommended tire pressure is between 30 and 35 pounds per square inch (psi), but don’t just guess—check! You’ll find the correct pressure for your car in the owner’s manual or inside one of the front doors. ​

7. Change your tyres regularly​

You’ll know it’s well time for a new set when the tread indicator (located in the grooves of the tyre) is worn flush with the tyre’s tread. On average, this is every 40,000km, or every two to three years.​

8. Don’t ignore odd noises while driving ​

Rattles, bangs, and squeals are all signs that something is wrong with your car. If you hear odd noises while driving, have your vehicle checked out by a mechanic ASAP. The longer you wait, the more damage the problem could cause, and the more expensive it could be to fix. ​

Lastly but not least important, schedule a professional check-up once a year. Never wait until a problem becomes apparent. Your car may already have sustained extensive damage. The best way to protect your vehicle is to schedule a professional check-up once a year. The mechanic will check all the car’s components, including the spark plugs, distributor cap, and valves, and let you know if any repairs are needed to keep your car running smoothly. ​

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Related article: How To Change Engine Oil in Your Car