Things You must Do to Keep Your Car in the Best Shape

In the New Year, at least 90 percent of us to resolve to keep our bodies in the best possible shape with a clean diet and regular exercise. Few of us are as careful about the vehicles we use on a daily basis.

Keeping your car in the best shape is by no means a difficult task. It is possible through regular maintenance and the payoff is excellent. Regular maintenance will ensure that your vehicle will have a longer life, will make you safer on the road and will help you get a higher resale price in the event that you decide to sell your vehicle. It can also help you save a lot of money in the long run as it reduces the chances of any major repair bills, with small issues being resolved as they crop up instead of becoming bigger problems. Here are a few steps that you can take to keep your vehicle in the best possible health.

1. Choose the Proper Fluids for Brakes, Cooling and Other Systems: Use manufacturer recommended fluids for the brakes, cooling systems and the engine. Using other makes could lead to the transmissions and other components performing poorly. Replace the brake fluid every two years.

2. Keep an eye on tire pressure: The tires being the part of the vehicle that is in closest contact with the road, tire pressure plays a key role in contributing to vehicle health. Check tire tread wear and tire pressure on a regular basis as maintaining these at the optimal level can prolong vehicle life and optimize performance.

3. Check Breaks Regularly: If the brakes do not function properly, it can lead to a fatal accident. In case you feel that the brakes are getting soft, or there is any vibration when the brakes are applied, take your vehicle in to a trusted garage to get the brakes checked.

4. Check Battery Health Periodically: Rather than being stuck when your vehicle fails to start, check the battery health periodically after it passes the one-year mark.

5. Use the right kind of fuel: Some vehicles with high performing engines need premium fuel while others need the regular kind. Ensure that you are using the right kind of fuel for optimal performance of the engine.

6. Keep an eye on warning symbols: If any of the symbols on the dashboard light up like the check engine light, it is better to be safe than to be sorry. Watch the indicators closely and take your car in for a check if there are any signs of an issue.

7. Check the Air Filter: Have the air filter inspected at every other oil change. If the filter becomes dirty, it can reduce fuel efficiency.