Foreword
Think of the mechanics of the modern motor vehicle as you would the anatomy of the human body. To bring the best out of an engine and other vehicle components, the correct fuel and lubricants must be utilized so as to reduce the risk of malfunction or damage. Fail to maintain the vehicle properly and it will lead to breakdown, which could be fatal. Preventative maintenance is like a vaccine to keep a deadly disease at bay.
Vehicle maintenance is critical for the well-being of the car and its advisable to stick to manufacturer service procedures. Regardless of the type of vehicle you drive, the manufacturer has prescribed a regular maintenance schedule to optimize efficiency. The name given for this is factory scheduled maintenance , aka 30/60/90 maintenance a name derived from the usual maintenance schedule of every 30,000 miles or thereabout (you could opt for less).
A good chunk of drivers deem this maintenance schedule as optional and see no point in taking the car in as long as its running. If you are in this group, dont view this guide as a ploy to get you to spend money on maintenance costs, but rather, as an eye-opener to help you avoid costly auto repairs that could have been avoided in the first place.
Think of it as your A-Z car maintenance guide, or car doctor, or car bible, must-remember car maintenance data whatever name you want to give it. Persue it, read, it, learn it, internalize it, refer to it: it is the most comprehensive guide to car repair and maintenance you will have in a single place.
We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed detailing it for you!
Regular Car Maintenance a No-Brainer
Regular maintenance is perhaps the one single thing you can do as a car owner to ensure your ride is happy and you save money on future repairs.
Anyone who has ever owned a car will admit: maintenance doesnt come cheap. But anyone who has also spent a good chunk of money to have their car repaired will also tell you: ignore maintenance at your own peril. In fact, some manufacturers place so much emphasis on it that if you fail to follow the maintenance schedule it could void your car warranty.
Regular vehicle maintenance will save you lots
Vehicle maintenance prolongs your cars life. See, it doesnt just keep the car running it keeps it running efficiently and this means more mileage over its lifetime. You can also liken regular car maintenance to home remodeling: it increases its resale value should you need to dispose of it in future, i.e., you get more buck for it.
The basics such as checking tire pressure, changing oil or getting scheduled inspections and job done are akin to regular checkups at the doctor, or the dreaded dentist. Not only do they ensure your health is optimal, but also afford you and the experts a chance to spot anything serious before it metamorphoses into a major cancer. When it comes to your car, this can save you thousands probably lives.
The Smell of Car Trouble
Most modern vehicles boast truckloads of microprocessors and sensors that can detect the smallest problems within your car. However, just like your body doesnt need a visit to the doctor to know a flu is about to kick in (or your computer OS needing an upgrade), there are certain signs that can help you detect trouble brewing.
When it comes to cars, these signs could appear in the form of scent. Thats right, certain smells serve to tell you that a visit to the auto shop is due. Letting it linger will ultimately reek of disaster, so whenever you smell any of the following in your car, seek auto repair advice:
Gas Stench
If you happen to smell gas inside your vehicle (especially when packed inside), a hazardous gas leak may be in the offing. Most likely, it is emanating from a cracked or loose gas cap allowing gas to evaporate from the tank. In other cases, it could be as a result of a faulty injector.
The leak could be in vapor or liquid form.
Dirty Gym Bag Smell
Should you happen to smell a dirty gym hamper in your vehicle and you dont go to the gym chances are it is not a gym bag. The smell of dirty laundry in the vehicle could be a sign of mold or mildew in the air conditioner or heater.
You can resolve it by blasting the heaters with the windows rolled down for about 15 minutes to dry it out.
Maple Syrup Smell
Maple syrup has a sweet smell that, if present in your vehicle, could signify leakage of coolant (water/anticorrosion/antifreeze mixture). A coolant leak may lead to engine damage because of overheating issues.
Coolant has this sweet smell that can be very enticing to animals (read pets), but it is poisonous.
Burnt Oil Smell
If an oil leak touches a hot exhaust manifold or other heated component you are likely to smell burning motor oil, which to some, may be similar to that of cooking oil.
If there is indeed a leak causing the smell, be on the lookout for blue smoke coming from under the vehicle.
Campfire Smoke Odor
Many young drivers often experience riding the clutch while learning to drive manual transmission vehicles. If you are a seasoned three-pedal driver and happen to catch that distinctive odor, it may be a message that time for clutch repair is here because the plate may have worn thin.
Smells in the car are a good sign of trouble and you shouldnt dismiss them. If you catch a trace of something foreign, you likely need some kind of service.
Common Car Problems
The thing is, manufacturers these days are building cars that can last longer. There are two sides to this coin: a car that lasts longer is, obviously, great news for every car owner even Paul Allen. But these cars have also become more difficult to repair. Cars these days boast inbuilt diagnostic systems that also serve as a barrier for entry; one way manufacturers are looking to dominate the repair business.
Still, there are those common problems that every driver has experienced at one time or another. Some, if you care to think about it, are caused by not paying heed to the preventive maintenance requirements.
i. Defective Alarms
Security systems such as alarms are one of the most sophisticated features modern vehicles are equipped with. They may help the owner sleep better at night, but they can also be the cause of problems.
The loud alarm blazing in the neighborhood notwithstanding, immobilizing systems may at times find it difficult to distinguish who the real owner of the car is.
ii. Locked out or Lost Keys
Leaving keys inside the car or misplacing them can be a problem: you cant get in. An extra set of keys is never a bad idea and one day they might just bail you out. A quick replacement can also be made by noting down the key identity number.
iii. Flat or Damaged Tires and Wheels
It is easier and faster to drive both short and long distances on effective wheels and tires. Harsh elements and impacts can lead to deterioration of wheel rims or sidewalls. Misaligned wheels can also result to irregular wearing of tires.
Always keep a spare tire
Its time you considered an extra tire, if you havent one already. Unexpected circumstances never knock. So better to be prepared at all times. Seek the service of a tire specialist who can restore the good performance of your wheels and tires. And also have extra repair tools in place in case an emergency hits you.