How to Take Care of Your Car

If you see the gasoline truck, return another day or travel to a different station. Do not fill up. Turbulence might stir up sediments when the station's subsurface tanks are filled. Sediment in your gas can clog fuel filters and injectors, resulting in performance drops and the need for repairs.

The Gas

Some stations may lack pump filters, leaving you vulnerable to contaminated fuel. Some stations might not properly blend alcohol and fuel, or worse, dilute their product. Identify a reliable gas station and hold onto it.

If you see the gasoline truck, return another day or travel to a different station. Do not fill up. Turbulence might stir up sediments when the station's subsurface tanks are filled. Sediment in your gas can clog fuel filters and injectors, resulting in performance drops and the need for repairs.

The Filters

Over time, your car's oil and air filters get clogged. Hence, it's a good idea to regularly renew or clean them. They can either be replaced by the car service units or one can try their hand at swapping them themselves. Washing can also prolong the air filter's life; consult the user guide. Ensure that genuine parts are used when making repairs. Low-cost, low-quality filters can harm your engine in the long run.

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Also Read: Most Expensive Cars in the World

The Washer Fluid

Do not fill the windshield washer reservoir with water. It won't clean as well as washer fluid, and it could freeze and damage the system in cold weather. If you try to run your windshield washer system after you feel the tank is empty, you risk damaging the washer fluid pump.

Once a car reaches a certain age, cracked washer-deicer fluid tanks are not unusual. Insert a plastic freezer bag into the tank and fill it with the washer fluid until you can buy a replacement tank or find one at a junkyard.

The Brake Fluids

Before opening the master cylinder lid to check the brake fluid levels, clean it. If you need fluid, use the one recommended. Other fluids, such as transmission or power-steering fluid, should never be substituted. Also, avoid using brake fluid from a container that has already been opened. When exposed to air, brake fluid quickly collects moisture and gets contaminated.

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The Oils

While today's cars' owner's manuals encourage increasing the time between oil changes, the truth remains that frequent changes expel abrasive dirt and metal particles from the engine, extending its life. For severe conditions, owner's manuals usually advocate a more frequent interval. Follow the severe interval guidelines to extend the life of your engine, especially if you drive in stop-and-go traffic frequently. Also, avoid overfilling the crankcase with oil.

Spark Plug

Electronic ignition and on-board computers have eliminated the need for regular tune-ups, but you must still replace your spark plugs. Look for melting, wear, or deposits on the light brown electrode and insulator while checking. Also replace those spark plug wires while you're at it. Fouling of those high-tech new spark plugs can be caused by deteriorated wires.

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