7 Annual Maintenance Tips to Keep Your
Austin Car in Peak Condition

1. Run a Battery Check

If you are someone who rarely drives their car, you should know that the inactivity of your vehicle can degrade its battery or, in simpler words, flatten it. In such cases, use a trickle charger or battery conditioner to keep your Austin car’s battery topped up even if parked in the garage for an extended period.

If your vehicle’s battery goes flat, having to jump start it can put extra pressure on the battery, which can ultimately damage delicate electronics and the engine management system. Therefore, for better battery life, you should drive it at least once or twice a week.

2. Get the Filters Changed Regularly

Over time and usage, your car’s air and oil filters can get clogged due to debris and residue, which can ultimately result in reduced engine efficiency. Thus, you must keep an eye on the engine light while driving and get the filters checked and replaced whenever required.

Getting an air filter swap during your regular car maintenance will keep you on the safe side and save you from future Austin vehicle maintenance costs. You can also increase the life of the filters by washing them according to the rules and regulations mentioned in the owner’s manual.

3. Replace the Leads and Spark Plugs

As vehicle models get more compact and complicated with time, automotive owners have come to do their own servicing. However, replacing high-tension leads and spark plugs is still something that you can easily do yourself. All you need to do is consult the vehicle owner’s manual and stick to the steps throughout replacement process of the spark plugs and leads. Therefore, when inspecting your vehicle’s spark plug, check if it shows:

• Signs of melting.
• Signs of deposits or wear.
• A dark-colored insulator and electrode.

If any of the aforementioned signs are present, the spark plugs need to be replaced before they cause further engine damage. However, suppose you have recently renewed your vehicle’s spark plug and see a gap between the insulator and electrode or cracks on the light-brown lead. In that case, it can indicate an underperforming engine. In such a scenario, you should get the engine of your car checked by a certified professional in Austin as soon as possible.

4. Perform Regular Fluid Checks

Like your body, fluids are the lifeblood of your automotive, so failure to replenish them might have irreversible consequences. Therefore, for proper car maintenance, you should check the engine oil once a week. You can do this in the following steps:

• Park your vehicle on a plain surface (ground level).
• Open the hood and remove the dipstick.
• Wipe the dipstick before you place it inside the engine fluid box.
• Pull it out to see the marking of the oil. It should ideally be a light, yellowish-brown color and in between the maximum and minimum markers.

However, if your vehicle has a diesel engine, then dark-colored engine oil isn’t concerning as it can result from the combustion process. Moreover, you should also check the windscreen washer and the coolant reservoir as, ideally, it should contain 50% antifreeze and 50% distilled water. Also, always use vehicle screen washers as normal washing-up liquids can damage the paintwork of your car.

5. Check Your Tires

Tires are your vehicle’s most used and most significant safety feature. Therefore, use a tire-pressure gauge once a month or before going on a long road trip, to check the inflation of each tire (including the spare), as under-inflated tires will increase fuel consumption which will affect your vehicle’s overall mileage and performance. Topping up the tires with the recommended air pressure in the owner’s manual will improve their life span by making sure they stay in great condition.

The tire pressure of the front and rear tires will always be different. Hence, you should get the tires rotated (swapping the rear ones to the front, and vice versa) every six months to even out wear and increase their lifespan.

6. Drive with Care

The smoother you drive your car in Austin, the better it will hold up over time. Although over-speeding can be very hard on your vehicle’s engine, the quick shifts between acceleration and deceleration can result in dire consequences. Therefore, for efficient car maintenance, it is suggested to follow some of the following rules while driving:

Avoid taking sharp corner turns as they can be aggressive on the tires.
Avoid putting extra weight on your vehicle, such as roof racks.
Don’t be too hard when stepping on the brakes, accelerator, and clutch.

7. Stick to the Service Schedule

Regular service checks are essential to keep your vehicle in top-notch condition. The service intervals of cars are either based on miles driven or the time of usage. According to car maintenance experts, you should get your vehicle serviced every 10,000 miles or once a year. Keep an eye on the dashboard and follow the owner’s manual to get your car serviced whenever required.