Car Maintenance 101: 4 Ways you can Protect Your Car’s Engine
If you’re like most drivers, then you rarely think about your car’s engine. You just hop inside your car, turn the key and drive off. However, if you want your vehicle to serve you for a long time, you need to keep the engine in tip-top shape by giving it the attention it deserves.
Apart from giving you several more miles, your car’s engine can be expensive to fix when problems occur. To prevent problems, ensure that your engine is looked at regularly. Below are a few ways on how to protect your engine.
Change the oil
The first thing you need to do if you want to protect your engine is to change the oil regularly. Synthetic motor oil keeps all the vital parts of your engine well-lubricated and prevents them from overheating. Additionally, your engine won’t function without it, and driving for long without changing the oil can lead to total damage to the engine.
When you should schedule for an oil change will vary, but most modern cars should have an engine oil change after every 5,000 miles. However, some types of car engines can go for longer. You may want to look up the vehicle manufacturer for suggestions on when to schedule your next oil change.
Check the cooling system
Metal can warp due to high temperatures. Therefore, ensure that your engine doesn’t reach such high temperatures. You can do this by keeping your car’s engine cooling system, including the radiator, coolant, hoses, and other parts working properly. Look out for signs of lеaks and worn-out hosеs, and makе surе that your systеm incorporatеs high-quality componеnts likе siliconе intеrcoolеr parts from Mammoth. Thеsе parts play a significant role in rеgulating thе еnginе’s tеmpеraturе. If you obsеrvе any problеms or wеar in your cooling systеm, it is advisablе to sееk advicе from a qualifiеd mеchanic to promptly address thе issuе.
Also, remember to check your car manufacturer’s manual to know when you should flush your radiator and change the coolant. However, the exact time will vary depending on how often you drive your car, the make, and the age of your car.
Allow your engine to breath
Just like people, car engines also need a constant flow of air for them to perform. Therefore, ensure that there are no restrictions to the air flowing to the engine. An air filter will keep things like leaves, bugs, and dirt from entering your engine. However, these filters eventually get clogged with dirt, and you will need to replace them. Don’t allow your air filter to get too dirty as it may not perform efficiently. A dirty air filter can let in too much dirt, starve your engine for oxygen, or both.
Don’t ignore engine warning lights
While it may seem obvious, you should get your car engine checked when the warning lights come on. There are several reasons why a check engine or automotive warning light can come on, but not all are major problems.
Apart from the check engine light, your car has other lights that indicate different problems. They can warn you about a failing alternator, a change in engine temperature, battery problem, or any other component near the engine. To protect your engine, consider running a diagnostic check whenever the automotive warning light comes on. If you wait for too long, the problem could develop into a much bigger one.
Just like you wouldn’t survive without your heart, your car won’t function without an engine. Therefore, ensure that you keep up with the scheduled engine maintenance if you want your vehicle to serve you for longer.
