Its important to take care of all the components of your vehicle. Here are the five components that need your constant attention. With just a little know-how, and a little care now and then, you will be able to keep your vehicle in good condition.
1. Check Your Exhaust
When you look at your exhaust there are two things to take note of: the emissions and the sound. Firstly, while it is perfectly alright for your engine to emit a little bit of white smoke in the morning when the engine is cold, its not alright if smoke is billowing out in thick plumes. Remember light blue smoke means an issue with the engine, while thick black smoke indicates an oil leak.
Secondly, by listening you will be able to pick up on holes in your exhaust, because they will make your car very noisy. Holes in the exhaust will decrease both your fuel consumption and your engine power.
2. The Engine Oil
The oil is the blood of the vehicle. By that you can know your oil is vital; it ensures that the engine runs smoothly. Its imperative that you check your oil levels regularly, but even if theyre always fine, you still need to change your oil at every service.
A good tip, check the oil first thing in the morning when the engine is cold. At this point, the oil has drained from the engine and so you will get the most accurate reading.
3. Check Your Brakes
Another important component to keep in check make sure that your brakes are regularly checked and skimmed. This way you will avoid dust gathering on your brakes, diminishing their braking ability. If you notice anything different with your braking system, stop driving the vehicle and get in touch with your car dealership as soon as possible. Failing brakes are a serious issue that you need to get checked out as soon as possible.
4. Check Your Lights
Always make sure that all your lights are working. This includes your brake, indicator and reverse lights. If theyre not working, it will cause confusion on the road, which could lead to an accident.
5. Check Your Tyres
A flat tyre will lower your grip levels on the road, while an over-inflated tyre can burst while driving and cause an accident. Make sure youre pumping it according to what the cars manual indicates is the optimum pressure. And take note that if youre travelling with a fully laden car, you will need to pump your tyres up more than usual. In addition, you need to check the tread and side wall of the vehicle for damage.
In addition to the above mentioned checks, always make sure that you have your vehicle serviced by a professional at the appropriate intervals. These are the five essential self-tests that you can, and should do yourself. Doing so should keep your car in a safe driving condition. This is also good for your resale value. A used VW for sale that has been well-maintained will have a higher value than one that hasnt been routinely looked after.
