Sometimes it is not about money but about love for the vehicle that has spent more than a decade by your side, so it isn’t easy to get rid of it or replace it with another one.
If your car is already a few years old and you want to keep it, here are some tips to learn how to take care of your auto’s engine and prolong its life as much as possible.
Any specialist can give you the most straightforward advice to never ignore any symptom of a problem or breakdown.
Because if you let it pass, you will probably end up visiting the workshop and paying a considerable amount of money. However, this does not have to happen if you take the following precautions.
#1. Use the recommended oil and change it frequently
According to Youramazingcar.com, oil is the life of the engine. Therefore, the best advice to take care of your car’s engine and extend its life is to use the best oil recommended by the car’s brand.
The oil change should be done when the manufacturer suggests it or even before if you consider that the oil is reducing the life of the car’s engine. In general, it should be done every 5,000 miles.
It is essential to consider that a timely oil change is an important factor in extending the engine’s life since it needs to keep its parts lubricated at all times.
#2. Wait a few seconds after you start the car
A beneficial practice for the car is to wait a few seconds before starting the engine. In this way, the car’s oil warms up and prepares to accelerate.
In older diesel vehicles, it was necessary to wait a few minutes for the glow plugs to rise, and in some cars, there were warning lights to indicate when the car could be started.
On today’s diesel cars, this is no longer necessary. However, it is still advisable to wait a few seconds.
If you are used to cold starts, the engine and starter will be forced to work, affecting the life of the car over time.
The same for the opposite case, i.e., if you have driven a long way and it is time to stop, do not turn off the engine immediately. It is advisable to keep the turbo idling so that it gradually cools down and then the car is turned off.
#3. Replacing the timing belt
Just like the oil change, the timing belt is another determining factor. If you want to take care of your car’s engine and prolong its service life, it is necessary to change it as regularly as recommended.
If the timing belt wears out prematurely, you will most likely have to face one of the most expensive breakdowns.
The cylinder head could bend some valves; to repair them, you have to take them to a specialist workshop. You can even change the belt prematurely as a preventive measure.
#4. Refueling when the car indicates it
It is very common that when the car’s reserve lights up, you continue driving with the peace of mind that the car still has enough fuel.
This recurrent practice is a risk for the car because, at the bottom of the tank, there are impurities that accumulate over time.
When the tank reserve is depleted, the pump ends up absorbing all these impurities and can obstruct the fuel flow, causing damage to the car’s injectors.
#5. Maintain the filters, spark plugs, and injectors.
The most important thing to prolong the life of your automobile’s engine is to perform proper maintenance of the air filter since it is the one through which the engine breathes.
Pay attention to the spark plugs and injectors, as they are some of the parts that wear out the most over time.
These parts affect the power and performance of the engine on the road. Therefore, it is advisable to check them from time to time to verify their condition.
#6. Taking care of the cooling circuit
Another important factor in taking care of your car’s engine is to pay attention to the cooling circuit since it is another of the parts most vulnerable to the passage of time.
Check the coolant level, as well as check that there are no leaks. In this way, you ensure that the car does not overheat and avoids irreparable engine damage. In addition, the coolant brand must always be the same.
Now that you know the right habits to keep your vehicle’s engine in good condition and prolong its useful life, you just have to put them into practice and enjoy the results. Take care of your car’s engine so that it lasts more years by your side.
#7 Keep your engine in good shape
The engine is to an automobile what the heart is to a human being; that is, it is a fundamental part of its engine. And what do we do about it? Well, take good care of it!
In general, the car engine is considered to be the heart of the vehicle, and precisely for that reason, it deserves to be taken care of with great care.
Unfortunately, there are several drivers who simply get into their vehicle and continue driving without thinking about the care of the vehicle.
We can’t stress enough that one of the most imperative things you can do as a vehicle owner is to keep the engine in good condition.
Give it the attention it needs! And not only because an engine in good condition will ensure a long service life for the car but also because it can be a headache.
#8 Clean the interior periodically
To keep the interior looking like new, purchase seat covers, protecting them from wear and tear. These can be easily removed and Car Wash from time to time.
Vacuuming the seats and carpets should be done every time the interior is cleaned. Mud and sand that falls on the carpet dry quickly, and regular vacuuming is the best way to avoid this. Having carpeting in place will prevent dirt from getting into the floor fabric.
Clean the inside of your vehicle’s windows with a window cleaning product and a soft cloth. A window spray can help you do this job. When cleaning the dashboard and other interior surfaces, be careful not to use a product that will damage them.
Some vinyl and plastic surfaces can be damaged by using the wrong product when cleaning. Once cleaned, you can use a protector for these types of surfaces.
When you are not using your car, park it in the garage. This will not only keep it out of bad weather but will also keep it from getting dirty.
