When you do not take care of yourself, eventually you will start feeling run down, tired and feel like you just are not functioning the way your normally do. Improper maintenance or a lack of maintenance can do the same thing to your car. When people have a poor diet, their arteries clog up; when cars have a poor diet, their components clog up affecting performance and gas mileage.
It can affect almost every system in your car, not just the engine but the transmission, electrical and cooling systems as well. There is no need to be discouraged though, much like a human, there are things you can do to improve performance and get your car back to normal. If the only things you know about your car are how to put gas in it and drive it from place to place, educating yourself on proper vehicle maintenance can be an invaluable tool to not only help you save money, but get back and forth to where you need to go more safely and efficiently.
The importance of proper maintenance
Maintaining your car is actually a simple process, but for some people they either choose not to do it or just do not know how or when to take it in for service. If your car is not running as good as it should, you are using more gas than you should, which costs you more money, and contributing to harmful emissions into the environment.
Eventually if you do not maintain your vehicle, you will end up with major repairs caused by a seized motor, which could have easily been avoided with proper maintenance. Your owner’s manual should be the first thing you consult to find a schedule of maintenance for your vehicle. If you have a used vehicle without an owner’s manual, the internet is a great place to research what you need to do for your car to keep it in tiptop shape. Different vehicles have different schedules so you want to be sure that you are doing the correct maintenance for your specific vehicle.
How to maintain your vehicle
Some of the things you can do are provide just the regular maintenance for your vehicle, such as oil changes on a regular basis, checking all fluids, checking and maintaining the condition of the battery and being aware of any leaks or problems. If you have had your vehicle for a long period, you may want to find a mechanic and have them perform some advanced maintenance on the vehicle such as an engine, transmission or cooling system flush. Usually these services are only performed when the vehicle has been poorly maintained and there is an excessive buildup of sludge or other particles that affect the performance of your vehicle. It may cost you a little more to have these services done, but it is still far less than you would pay to have an engine, transmission or cooling system replaced.
Be proactive when it comes to your vehicle
Once you have your engine back in good performing condition, you need to maintain it, whether you do it yourself or find a mechanic that will handle it for you. Make sure that you check your oil and other fluids when every time you refuel your vehicle. If you notice a drop in any fluid levels, make an appointment for your mechanic to find out what the problem is. You have to be proactive to make sure that there are not any serious leaks or other problems that could leave you stranded on the side of the road with a seized motor. Even maintaining proper tire pressure can affect the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. Although you may have to learn a few things about your car, it will be worth the time in the end in extra money in your pocket.
Summary
When you are feeling run down and just not your best, you want to do something to fix it. Your vehicle is that same way. A poorly running vehicle costs you extra money that you do not need to spend, as well as emitting things into the environment that are not good for anyone. A vehicle is one of the most expensive investments you will make next to the purchase of a house, so you want to maintain your vehicle just as you maintain your home.