Go the extra mile for your car's maintenance

Lead in: There is a lot more to maintaining your car than just cleaning, servicing and keeping it in running condition. Here's a quick look at a few aspects of car maintenance.

Steve Wright once said, "Everywhere is walking distance, if you have time." However, in today's fast-paced life, where each second is a race against time, everywhere is now driving distance. Increasing disposable incomes have made it possible for a large number of Indian families to own a car. This has shrunk distances and enabled people to cut travel time. Cars have hence emerged as man's new best friend.

Having said that, the way a driver maintains his car decides the tenure and cost of this friendship. Car maintenance is not just about cleaning, servicing and keeping it in running condition; there is a lot more to it. Here is a quick look at a few aspects of car maintenance.

Engine Oil
A car engine needs free-flowing oil to function smoothly. After every kilometre of drive, elements like grime, sludge and tiny metal particles seep into the oil. Hence, only topping up oil periodically does not serve the purpose. It is essential to replace it at regular intervals. The ideal interval for oil replacement differs according to the car's make and model, and is generally mentioned in the vehicle manual. Changing the oil filter is also equally important.

Tyres
Poorly inflated tyres cause flexing and generate heat. More pressure is exerted on the engine for propulsion when tyre pressure is low. In addition to this, braking effect is reduced, resulting in lesser control in handling. Checking tyre pressure regularly helps the car run smoothly for a longer time. Tyres should also be rotated periodically for uniform wear and tear. This maintains the alignment of tyres and reduces the chances of skidding on slippery or wet surfaces. This is an importance step in your car's maintenance as tyre replacement is an expensive process and is rarely covered in even the best auto insurance plans.

Fluids
Like a human body, a car runs on fluids. Apart from fuel, many other liquids like engine oil, engine coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, power-steering fluid, etc. are used in the functioning of an automobile. Checking the level of these fluids every week and refilling to the optimum level keeps the car ship-shape. Regular checks for broken or leaking pipes should also be undertaken to ensure that it runs smoothly.

Brakes
Brake problems do not occur out-of-the-blue; they develop gradually. To spot any problem with the brakes, check for signs like a squeaking sound while applying brakes, a soft brake pedal, etc. If the brake fluid is at the optimum level, changing brake components like clutch plate, connecting cables, etc. may solve the problem. In order to keep car brakes in proper shape, one should avoid reckless braking and apply handbrakes only after pressing the clutch.

Gearbox
Keeping the clutch depressed for a long time works against the release bearing of the car. Prolonged pressure and undue usage might result in premature wear and tear of the clutch. To avoid such damage, check the transmission fluid regularly for better lubrication and easy gear shifting. Inculcating a habit of changing gears smoothly, with proper gear-clutch coordination, improves the life of the gear system.

Apart from these measures, it is also important to keep your car clean, and service it regularly. After all, friendship is all about caring and nurturing.

A quick note about car insurance is also necessary here: having adequate auto insurance is your responsibility as a car owner. If you are a new car owner and know little about car insurance, research a bit to get the best auto insurance plan.