
Most trending Motor Vehicle Engine and Automotive Repair and Maintenance in Australia
August 29, 2022
Vehicle Maintenance Checklist For The Spring
September 28, 2022If you are delaying much-needed maintenance as it is too snowy, dark, cold, hot, windy, or wet, you need to cut off these excuses, and your car must need maintenance. Here are some suggestions to make your car work better than usual.
Here is a checklist for you to make it easy to keep a track of the things that you need to check for maintenance.
Oil changing
The engine’s lifeblood is oil and must be at the top of the vehicle maintenance checklist. Check the oil level regularly and regularly change the oil and oil filter at the vehicle manufacturer. This will be an excellent start, but is that enough? Well, the automotive industry Australia has put up some documentation that will help you better understand the maintenance of vehicles.
If you have been using traditional oil, then now is the time to check out the pros of full synthetic or full synthetic high mileage motor oil. The fully synthetic oil lasts longer than conventional oil as it doesn’t break faster, and the gap between oil changing processes is longer. In winter also, it flows easily at the start-up. This improves protection against wear of components and works better at high temperatures without compromising performance or protection.
The traditional vehicles that have 75,000 miles or more can benefit from using full synthetic high mileage oil as it has a mixture of special additives that helps in reconditioning of hardened seals and gaskets, and this prevents oil leaks that happen as a result of shrinkage of rubber and as it ages it starts to become brittle. So, please search for a mechanic near me and get your vehicle service done.
Washing and wax
In some weathers, like winters, it can get a bit tough on your vehicle not just because of the tougher start, weakened parts that have more chances of breaking but also due to the toll that accumulates grit, salt, tar, dirt, and other such road treatment chemicals exact on vehicle’s exterior part. Also, in the winter season, people wash their vehicles less, which compounds potential damage to the underbody and the paint.
If you want to stop such damage and protect your vehicle, clean it with a high-quality exterior car wash solution. Then you can use a clay bar, and then, if you want, you can use a bug and tar remover for any stubborn stuck-on materials that, with time, will damage the clear coat. Then you can wax all painted and chrome surfaces.
Whether using good old-fashioned elbow grease or an orbital polisher to apply and remove wax, remember that the latest waxes are easier to remove and give better protection than the traditional automotive waxes from 20-plus years ago. Also, if you use ceramic waxes, you will notice that they offer good protection and durability and are easy to use. So, you can look for a mechanic near me and get the best ceramic wax for your vehicle.
Replace wipers
You must change the wiper blades after every six months until it’s wintertime, as you accidentally tear them from the freezing windshield; this will leave pieces of rubber stuck there. In winter, the wipers may require extra focus, so check if they need to be replaced. If you see them cracking and wearing or if they are not wiping effectively and leaving streaks of water behind, you will know that it’s time to replace them.
Replace the spark plug
You may ask different people how often a spark plug requires replacement, and you will get different answers. Well, there is a general rule of thumb or the automotive industry Australia says that a 30,000-40,000 miles interval is needed before changing spark, while the manufacturer recommendation is to replace the plugs only after 100,000 miles, and several service professionals also say the same thing. This range can also depend on plugs like iridium, copper, single, and double platinum. You mustn’t switch to other plugs and fix them to the one the manufacturer has recommended or the automotive industry Australia has recommended.
Spark plug wears out and is needed to be replaced, and it is imperative to replace them on time, just like your vehicle’s filters, belts, hoses, and fluids. Spark plugs will show signs like rough idling, trouble starting the engine, lack of power, or any other such indications, which will mean that your spark plug could have worn off. So, get to the best mechanic like Robin Baldwin West Gosford and get your vehicle service done at an affordable price.
The cabin air filter
Most vehicle owners know that air, transmission, fuel, and oil filters are required to change and be cleaned regularly. But this fifth filter is often overlooked but also needs some attention; it is the cabin air filter. This is mainly located behind the glove compartment of the door, under the dash, or in the engine compartment.
It traps outside contaminants like dirt, dust, leaves, bugs, pollen, exhaust gas, and mold, and it also prevents from getting into the passenger compartment and the air the occupants breathe. If you want the best air filter, go for the HEPA (Hugh Efficiency Particulate Air) filters, which can remove 100% of the contaminants.
The cabin air filter requires replacement after around 15,000 miles or annually. By getting a clean filter, you can ensure that the vehicle’s heating, air conditioning, and blower system also work quickly and prevent foul smells in the interior of the vehicle.
Regular check on the brakes and rotors
On several vehicles, you can check the condition of brake pads just by looking at them. You will require a flashlight, and then you can look at how much brake pad material is left. If you see that only a quarter of an inch is left, you need to get new pads. Some pads come with wear indicators that run down the pad’s center. If this thing is barely visible, then it’s another indication of the pad’s renewal.
If your vehicles take a longer stopping distance, makes a squealing or grinding noise, vibrates or pulls to one side when using a brake, all of them are indications that your vehicle’s brakes need attention. Also, remember to track the duration of the brake fluids changes. Brakes attract water, and with time, water gets accumulated in the braking system. This can damage metal parts and lower the brake fluid’s boiling point, which can reduce braking performance.
Bottom line
Every vehicle needs a regular check to ensure it’s smooth running. You can also notice small things that will indicate that it’s time to do some replacements in your vehicle. So don’t wait for long and get fresh maintenance for your car. You can visit the Robin Baldwin West Gosford automotive shop to get the best services at affordable rates.