3 Basic Car Servicing Tips for First-Time Owners

If you were to travel by plane, you would want to get on one that is serviced regularly based on a schedule. Similarly, if you were to jump on a roller-coaster ride, you would hope that the technician has checked the bolts and nuts to ensure that the roller-coaster is safe. The same goes for your vehicle, but unfortunately, most car owners only take their cars for servicing when they detect that something is off. Apart from exposing yourself to danger, neglecting essential car servicing attracts fines from traffic police. The only way to avoid this is by understanding car servicing basics. Read on.

Fluids -- Just like the human body, fluids are the lifeblood of any vehicle. It is, therefore, vital to ensure that all fluids are at the expected levels. Some of the most critical fluids include engine oil, radiator coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid and clutch fluid. You want to check the levels of these fluids regularly so that they don't fall below their expected levels and cause problems. The best part about fluids servicing is that you can do it in the comfort of your garage. Therefore, there is no need to drive to an auto shop and spend money on such simple servicing tasks. 

Windscreen Wipers -- Despite the critical role that windscreen wipers play, very few car owners bother to check the condition regularly. It stems from the fact that most people only use their wipers when it is raining or snowing. However, how to do you expect your windscreen wipers to function optimally if you neglect them for months on end? The gadgets will jam on you, and that is the last thing you want when it begins to rain or snow. For this reason, make sure that you inspect the rubber blades on your wipers and confirm they do not have wear marks. The edges should be straight, sharp, and firmly pressed against the windscreen. If the joints are loose, then the chances are high that the wipers will come off when wiping away heavy precipitation such as snow. Additionally, look at the windscreen wiper fluid to ensure it is enough when you need to clean the windscreen of dirt or dust without getting out of the car. 

Engine Air Filter -- If you know little about car servicing, forget about successfully performing regular maintenance checks on the main engine. However, that shouldn't stop you from inspecting the engine's air filter. Resembling human lungs, engine air filters keep the dust and dirt from reaching the inner engine chambers and contaminating the fluids. If you own those cars that have accessible air filters, then you are in luck because all you have to do is reach and yank. If an air filter is filled with dust, you can use an air blower to blow off the dust. If, on the other hand, the filter appears dark and filthy, then it might be time to change it.  


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