Driving is an innate action for most of the us living in Malta, but taking care of a car doesn’t come naturally to all. Most drivers are aware that vehicles require a frequent service check, especially when the car is due for a VRT service.
However, VRT checks are not required by law to be done on a yearly basis. This however does not imply that car maintenance should only be done yearly or bi-yearly. For those whose understanding of car mechanics feels somewhat complicated, we’ve created a simple list of things to remember to ensure you never end up without your roadside significant other.
Set reminders on your calendar and make sure to discuss these with your mechanic; let them guide you as to when and how frequent their maintenance should be to ensure your car is safe and functional.
Most of these tips are in relation to combustion engine cars, so if you are an electric vehicle owner, speak with your mechanic to check specific maintenance your ride requires.
CHANGE YOUR OIL AND CHECK ITS LEVELS
Oil is what keeps the engine of your car running smoothly. It works by reducing friction. Whilst oil is one thing which is topped up by your mechanic during its routine service, it doesn’t hurt to personally check for low levels after some time, as this can seriously damage your engine.
Taking a look is easy. Open up your car hood, locate the dipstick which usually has a circular-like handle to pull out and wipe it clean with a cloth. Insert the stick again and pull it out once more to see the oil level. Within the stick itself, there would be marks for recommended range. If it is below that mark, head to your mechanic quickly to have it topped up.
Whilst you are at it, check the consistency and colour of your oil. Fresh oil is normally clear and light brown, whilst its colour changes to a very dark brown if it is dirty.
CHECK TYRE CONDITIONS
Many can easily spot a puncture – both through seeing it deflated or even getting alerts on your dashboard. However, a puncture is not your only cause for concern.
Through wear and tear, tyres can get worn; causing the car to reduce fuel efficiency as well as being a cause for concern whilst driving.
Avoid dangerous situations by knowing easy ways to spot tyre damage. This can be done by buying a pressure gauge or heading to your nearest fuel station. This are usually on the side and can be used for free. Station attendants may offer their help and re-adjust tyre pressure themselves for you by matching it to the optimal recommendation. Stick close to the attendant and learn how to easily do it yourself in case of an emergency.
Signs of wear and tear can be done by manually inspecting each tyre. Look for cracks, bolts injected through the tyre itself or bald spots. If something looks unusual, best head to a tyre service station to have them checked. In many cases, it would only require small repairs or consider changing the tyre completely if it has been in use for years.
UNDERSTAND BATTERY HEALTH
Most of us realise our car batteries are in need of a replacement when we try switching on the car and it fails. However, a dead car battery might leave you stranded.
Open up the hood of your car and look for a rectangular box made from hard plastic. It is usually found close to the engine with a plus sign (=) and a minus (-) sign on top, with wires connected to them.
Look for any signs of corrosion that seems like white powder. You may have it tested through a voltmeter at a service station. If you have had it replaced latterly, you may also write down the date in white ink to keep a manual record. This will help whoever gets to replace your battery in the future figure out its longevity and easily guide them to when it might need to get replaced.
Always check with your insurer whether battery changes can be provided through your roadside assistance. The charge of the battery is not normally included, but their services would be covered under the roadside assistance plan.
FREQUENTLY REPLACE WIPERS AND WASHER FLUID
Having clear visibility on the road, especially during storm season is imperative to keep you away from dangers. With recurrent blood rain in Malta, this is especially important as your windshield might get too dirty to allow you easy driving.
You can easily understand when your wipers need a replacement. Try them out by watering your windshields and see whether glass gets cleaned without water streaks. If they don’t, their replacement date is up.
Your washer liquid should be topped up frequently. You might want to keep an empty jar of filtered water in your car to have it handy, or head over to a service station where they have a supply for washer fluid available for sale at a very cheap price. Avoid using unfiltered water to avoid corrosion. Water should be topped up when the car has been switched off for a good period of time to avoid getting burned. The washer fluid section is normally marked with a window-like image on its tap under your hood.
KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS AND INDICATORS
Having functional lights is essential, not just during the night when driving might get more dangerous, but even throughout the day to use your signals accordingly which will help other drivers and pedestrians understand what’s your next move.
Ask a friend or family member to check your break lights as you step down on the pedal or park within an area with a reflective surface. Switch on your lights and blinkers, and exit the car to do a manual check.
Many mechanics are also offering cleaning of headlights during a car service as sometimes they tend to fog through wear-and-tear. This allows your front lights to show brighter light during nightfall.
ANALYSE THE SUSPENSION AND STEERING ABILITIES
A car suspension is a shock absorbing system that protects your ride during every bump and dip on the road. This ensures you get a smooth and comfortable ride even if the surface is rough, without jolting the entire car.
You’ll notice the suspension needs repairs if you hear a clunk sound or vibrations as you are driving on bumpy roads. Additionally, steering can be impaired if you notice the car drifting to one side.
Such repairs can impair proper driving, so always head to your mechanic to have them checked out for safety reasons.