Be it a car just for leisure and gentle cruising down the country roadside or a car to fight the city hustle and traffic to meet a deadline or even a car to get the kids to school, football, the doctors appointment and back home for dinner, it is every driver’s wish to see their beloved 4 wheeled buddy go the extra mile without having to break down every now and then and costing hundreds at a time for servicing. Knowing the predicament every driver face, here are some tips that i have gathered here and there that will definitely keep your car running and in good shape.
1) Keep your servicing schedule up to date and on time!
To put it in as simple a way as possible, find a trustworthy service center, keep track of your mileage and servicing due dates and KEEP UP with the service schedule. If the center requires you to send it in ever 5000km, send it in either on the 5000km or before. The reason behind this would be in the engine’s overall health. During a standard servicing appointment, the mechanic will change the oil, clean the air filter, replace necessary parts and give advice in accordance to the need of the car. In short, servicing will ensure the engine’s longevity, hence extending it’s performance period.
2) Make it a habit to do a routine check on your engine
When i first bought my beloved Perodua Kancil, my mother (of all person) advised me to do weekly inspection on my car engine and to learn the functions of each part and keep track of their performance or abnormalities. Though this may seem unrelated to the car’s performance, i learnt later on that though i started off as a clueless fellow looking at what’s-not and doo-dads in the car’s engine as it runs, i slowly learnt the functions of each parts and i even learnt the art of spotting abnormalities such as the lack of brake fluids and power steering fluid and this, in turn, allows me to bring my car for a repair before anything serious happens to the car (or me) and in turn, extends the car’s life span.
3) Avoid unnecessary modifications
Yes, it is fun to hear the sound of your favorite song blasting away from your custom built Clarion Sub woofers or to hear the roar of your car’s engine due to your newly installed exhaust system. Yes, it is fun to drive down the street with customized strobing lights and flashing your newest 18″ chrome rims. But remember this, what you add on apart from manufacture approved items might cause your car more damage than it will benefit. Some additional and totally unrelated items such as the turbo timer, though cool, can cause your car to overheat as turbo timers are meant to keep the engine running for turbo cars to cool down, and not normal cars. Heavy items such as sub woofers can actually spoilt the car’s suspension system. So, think twice before adding on something that your car might not need.
4) When driving, remember the three ‘P’s; Patience, patience and patience
Avoid driving down the lane as if the world is about to end or braking at the last minute. Avoid driving fast on bumpy roads or hitting speed bumps to the point that your car is about to fly. These minor behaviors are those that might be the difference between your car ending up in the workshop due to ineffective brakes or spoiled suspension. By driving safe and patiently, you do not only ensure the safety of others and yourself, but the longevity of your car delicate parts and components.
5) Bring your car for a wash, both the external and internal parts
YES! you read it correctly, bring your car and pamper it to a wash. Washing the external and internal part of your car will ensure that it will be clean from debris, dust and harmful mud or sand. Cleaning the external will ensure that your car’s paint job will maintain on without scratches and fading. Cleaning the internal parts however, such as the engine and the absorbers, will ensure that the parts are not clogged and perform well.
With these five easy to follow tips, your car will hopefully stay functional and runs well for years to come.
Images courtesy of : 2carpros.com
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useful article~ i hope it really help~~
internal wash usually gets rid of external dust and other dirt around the engine area. As far as i was told and learnt about internal washing, it cleans off the excessive dirts to prevent the engine from overheating and extends the engine life. Another version of internal wash can be for the interior parts of the car in where they’ll take out the seating and totally wash the internal parts of the car and the seats then assemble it back. If i’m not mistaken another name for the second internal wash i mention would be sanitizing. In my area it costs around 80-150 depending on the shop and your pr skills.
great guide!
btw, where can i send for engine bay wash in kl area?
Eh the usual petrol station got internal wash ah? I never send before man. What is the benefits ah?
be careful when bringing your car for its internal parts wash- i’d suggest to stay away from the amateur cleaners. let the pros handle the internal parts washing.