Your car is one of the most valuable possessions you could own, and we’re not just talking about the fact that it’s expensive but also the priceless benefits you could get from it. You can enjoy the occasional road trip, and you also have a mode of transportation for emergencies or work.
However, it’s not a secret that your car is also susceptible to plenty of minor and major damages. To avoid spending a huge sum of money on repairing your car, you must know how to maintain it properly.
Common Causes of Car Damage
Many factors may contribute to the degeneration of your car’s overall performance. Some of these are caused by things that are out of your control, while others just require regular maintenance. Here is a list of some of the most common causes of car damage to understand that better.
Extreme Weather Conditions
No matter where you live in the world, weather conditions can be quite unpredictable. Even if you avoid driving during harsh weather, it’s still highly possible that your car may get damaged, especially if you don’t have a roofed parking space. Snow and hailstorm are some of the worst conditions that can ruin your car. You must know where to find repair services for hail damage if your car becomes a casualty of this type of weather.
Putting Off Scheduled Maintenance
Just as we need regular checkups with our doctors, our cars also need to be constantly examined by a mechanic. This will help prevent your car from developing different issues because, as you know, prevention is better than cure. Knowing how often your car should be serviced is essential in avoiding severe car damage.
Not Asking for Professional Help
While there are plenty of car maintenance tasks that we can do on our own, major issues or problems should be done by a professional. Otherwise, you may end up making the situation worse, especially if you are not very familiar with the inner-workings of your vehicle. In cases where you’re unsure of the extent of your car’s damage, it would be better if you bring it to a mechanic.
Ignoring the Warning Signs
Believe it or not, your car would tell you if there is any sort of damage to a certain part of it. First, you have the warning signs in your dashboard. The check engine light is one example. Even if the check engine light doesn’t turn on, paying attention to your car’s behavior should let you know a lot. If you notice suspicious smells, it could be a sign of oil leaks. Your car breaking down or underperforming for quite a few days is another example. Make sure that you pay attention to these things.
Not Using or Changing the Engine Oil
Gasoline fuel would sometimes have lots of impurities that may block the passageway to your engine. Using various fuel additives like engine oil helps prevent this from happening. However, you also need to constantly have this replaced, depending on how often you use your car. Otherwise, it will also cause debris buildup and become a problem for your engine.Changing your car oil every 5,000 to 7,500 miles is important.
Low Tire Pressure
Even the pressure of your car tires can significantly affect its performance. Low tire pressure often causes plenty of damages, such as susceptibility to flat tires or inefficient use of gasoline. Knowing what your tires’ pressure should be, according to the car’s manual, is essential. You can use a tire-pressure gauge to determine your tires’ current status and adjust accordingly.
Improper Use
Most problems received by a car boil down to one general idea; improper use. Forcing your car to function despite the terrible condition it’s in, not taking care of it, or driving it while you’re not in your best state are just a few examples.
Importance of Car Maintenance
Keeping your car in the best possible condition is essential in minimizing the cost of repairs and making sure that it’s readily available when you need it. You don’t want to be in the middle of nowhere when your car suddenly malfunctions because of poor maintenance. While there are plenty of tasks you can do on your own, consulting a professional mechanic is also important.
In addition to this, knowing where to find repair shops in case the inevitable happens. Truth be told, your car will suffer from damages even if you maintain it properly. Whether it’s because of the harsh weather conditions or accidents encountered on the road, it’s not immortal. It will be susceptible to these factors, but knowing how to maximize its durability and where to go for repairs will definitely extend its lifespan.
