A reliable car can get you far in life (no pun intended). Knowing you will be able to make your appointments on time, get to and from work and run errands without car trouble makes life much easier. One way to help make this a reality is to get a reliable vehicle. But even the most reliable vehicles will need proper maintenance to keep working well, and that means it’s up to you to protect your car’s engine.
When it comes to how to protect the engine, there are a few things to consider. Thankfully, most basic maintenance items don’t require any serious automotive expertise to address. Here are some ways you can protect your car’s engine.
Regular oil changes
Getting regular oil changes is one of the easiest and most important things you can do to protect your car’s engine. Modern cars need an oil change once every 5,000 miles (some may be able to go for longer between oil changes, so check your owner’s manual), while older vehicles should get one once every 3,000 miles. That usually translates to getting an oil change two to three times per year.
When the oil is changed, the oil filter should be changed as well. This is standard practice when you take your car to get an oil change. Remember, it’s okay to decline requests for additional services if all you want is an oil change!
Check the air filter
Another good thing to do on the same schedule as your oil changes is check the air filter. Making sure the air filter is clear of debris and not caked with dust or dirt is a good way to protect your car’s engine. When you take your car in for an oil change, you can ask to have this checked—it’s often done at no extra charge, and can usually be replaced quickly on the spot if needed.
Don’t run on empty
Your car’s gas tank will begin to collect sediment from gasoline after a while. The fuel filter catches a lot of this, but some of it eventually settles at the bottom of the gas tank. Consistently driving your car until it’s very low on gas can pull up that sediment and run it through the fuel filter, which can cause engine damage. To avoid making your engine work harder than it needs to, you should always try to keep from running too low on gas.
Look for leaks
Leaks are a sign that your car’s engine is unhealthy, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for any leaks that appear underneath your car. If you notice fluids dripping from your car (other than normal condensation from your AC system), or oil stains starting to form in your normal parking space, don’t let it slide. Take your car to a mechanic to have it checked out as soon as possible.
Protecting your car’s engine starts with being attentive to regular maintenance. You don’t have to know how to work on cars to keep it running well, but it’s important to keep a regular maintenance schedule. For regular maintenance, or to fix any issues that may arise with your car’s engine, contact Pat Doll Automotive LLC today.