Taking care of all of your vehicle’s internal and external parts is critical for increasing a vehicle’s life expectancy, but some parts are more important than others. The engine essentially functions as the heart of the vehicle, as none of the other internal parts can work without it. Thus, special attention should be paid to keeping the engine and all of its moving parts in peak condition.
Most car owners will be able to handle some of the more basic types of engine maintenance at home, while more complicated tasks should be left to a professional mechanic. Here are some maintenance tips that can help you extend the life of your engine, and by extension, the life of your vehicle.
1. Conduct Regular Oil and Filter Changes
Regular oil checks and changes should be a part of every driver’s maintenance routine. Engine oil lubricates the internal moving parts of the engine and helps ensure that everything is operating smoothly, which can prevent premature erosion. Engine oil also collects dirt, dust, and sediments and prevents them from contaminating the engine.
Oil levels should be checked at least once per month and refilled if they’ve become too low. Drivers should also make sure to use the right oil grade based on the recommendations of the vehicle’s manufacturer. We recommend checking the oil filter at the same time, as it is vital to make sure the filter has not become blocked and is still effectively keeping out contaminants.
2. Keep an Eye on the Cooling System
The engine’s cooling system regulates the internal temperatures and helps excess heat escape from the engine. The cooling system is composed of several internal parts, all of which should be regularly checked and maintained.
Vehicle owners should frequently monitor the cooling system for the right level of coolant inside its chambers. The coolant level should be above the minimum level but below the maximum, as too much coolant could cause leakage.
Check the color of the coolant for signs of damage. Orange and red-colored coolant should be flushed out through the radiator and replaced with fresh coolant.
3. Make Sure the Air Filter Is Working
The engine needs air to burn fuel in its combustion chambers, and it inhales air in a similar way to our lungs. A car’s air filters help the engine breathe in clean oxygen free of contaminants that could potentially damage the engine. The engine can only operate efficiently if it has a steady intake of clean air. Car owners should regularly check their air filters to make sure there is no dirt, bugs, or other contaminants that could interfere with this process. Dirty filters should be swapped out for new ones as soon as possible.
4. Take the Check Engine Light Seriously
Most drivers have probably ignored their check engine light at one time or another, but you should have your car examined by a professional mechanic as soon as possible when the light comes on. While your car may keep running for a long time after the light comes on, ignoring it could cause an underlying issue to grow more serious. If you get it checked out right away, however, you could avoid serious damage and costly repairs. Sometimes the check engine light may only signify a minor issue, but a minor problem could quickly snowball into a serious one if ignored for too long.
5. Don’t Neglect Your Fuel Filters
Fuel filters help clean oil before it is injected into the engine, protecting it from buildups of harmful contaminants and specks in the fuel supply. Damaging substances and particles will not be able to form if the fuel filter is healthy. However, a dirty fuel filter will not be able to effectively block these contaminants, which can put the health of the engine at risk. Fuel filters should be regularly replaced to keep the engine running smoothly.
6. Conduct Regular Tune-ups
Drivers should regularly tune up their engine’s carburetors or have a professional mechanic do so. This is especially important for older models that have ignition wires and distributors. Newer models that use lifelong spark plugs need to be tuned up as well, but less frequently. You can tune up your fuel injection system with cleaning solutions designed for this purpose. We also recommend checking the spark plugs, cables, ignition wires, caps, and rotors during this process. A tune-up can help protect your engine and may also improve your fuel mileage.
7. Watch Out for Leaking Fluids
Fluid leaking from your vehicle is one of the most common signs of a damaged engine. If you notice that your vehicle is leaving a trail of liquid behind it, you should visit a mechanic as soon as possible for a professional inspection. Engine oil and antifreeze are the most common leaking fluids. Ignoring this problem could cause the problem to get worse, leading to expensive repairs.