Car detailing and valeting

To keep your body in a state of maximum health, you eat properly, avoid cigarettes and do regular exercise. You realize that if you don’t, you may become ill. This same concept is true of your automobile. If you fail to maintain its internal systems, your car may break down completely. Taking care of your car can be simple if you keep these pointers in mind.

1. Your car will not run without gasoline, as you know, but do you know that oil is equally necessary to keep it running smoothly? Engine oil eventually breaks down if not changed periodically. It will start to lose its effectiveness and will “carbonize,” clogging the oil pick-up screen. This will slow the oil supply to the engine and cause friction, impacting your engine’s performance. Make sure you check the oil level every so often, as well.

2. On a very hot day, the human body needs water so it doesn’t overheat. For your car, the same concept is in effect. Make sure that the coolant level is at maximum to keep your engine from getting too hot, which will affect its performance.

3. Many automobile components need to be checked periodically, since they are critical to the engine’s function. Some examples are fuel and air filters, spark plugs and the timing belt, all of which should be included in your regular tune-up.

4. The battery of your car needs to be checked regularly to ensure that its terminals aren’t loose. Be sure to look for cracks or damage, and if there is leakage of battery acid, have it replaced as soon as possible. The acid can burn through other parts of your engine and cause major issues.

5. Take care of minor problems before they spiral into larger ones. Check out such relatively small issues as a tapping noise in the engine, or a feeling of “pulling” to one side, which could mean your car is out of alignment. Always pay attention to the “check engine” lights that may come on, since they are warning you that an issue in the engine needs to be addressed. Dealing with it now will head off more serious problems down the road.

All it really takes to keep your car going for a long time is a regimen of solid preventive maintenance. When you get to know how it functions regularly, you’ll come to recognize when something isn’t right with the engine. By making it a priority the way you do your own health, you can keep your car in tip-top condition for a long time to come.

Ruth Williams is a journalist with many interests which include online degree programs and online degrees for working women.