While new cars also need maintenance, they need nowhere near the care and attention you need to give your old car. Older cars require a lot more attention and can cause you many problems if you don’t take care of them.
Older cars require more maintenance, service, and routine checkups; otherwise, they can break down or even crash.
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Let’s look at some must-do maintenance tips for older cars. Let’s dive in!
Maintain Your Brakes
It just so happens that car owners wait around for something bad to happen before they actually take care of their vehicle. In the case of old cars, you need to be proactive and get your brakes checked regularly to ensure that the fluid hasn’t run out or the brake pads haven’t worn out. Do not wait for any noise before you take action. Also, leaking brake fluid means that you need to get repairs done immediately.
Tyre Health
Check your air pressure with a tyre gauge and have them rotated regularly. The manufacturer generally recommends 30–35 PSI for air pressure, and you need to ensure that the pressure is in line with this recommendation. Your car will be more fuel-efficient, and you will save a lot of money. Check your owner’s manual to see the recommended level.
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Steering & Suspension
Your tyres will wear down quickly if your car has steering or suspension issues. Ensure that you change your steering fluid regularly and get your shocks checked by professionals from time to time.
Windshield Wipers
Little things matter and can save lives. If you cannot see clearly, then you are inviting a lot of trouble. Unclear vision can be a cause of accidents. Windshield wipers are inexpensive, and having them in perfect condition is essential for your and other people’s safety.
Cooling System
The coolant, or antifreeze, helps prevent foam, deposits, and corrosion. Ensure that your coolant is always full, as it helps keep the engine hot in the winter and cool in the summer. Your car would not function optimally if you did not take care of this.
Oil & Filter
Your engine can get seriously damaged if it is not properly oiled or lubricated. Driving with dirty oil, low oil, or no oil can cause your engine to break down and damage it. Get your oil and filter changed every 5,000–10,000 km if your car uses synthetic oil.
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Water Pump
The water pump ensures that your engine doesn’t overheat by moving the coolant through the engine. It lasts for approximately 1,00,000 to 1,50,000 km, which is similar to timing belts. Have both replaced when it’s time to get them replaced.
Hoses & Belts
Hoses and belts deteriorate and wear down with time. You might not always be able to tell this from visually inspecting them. Generally, when a mechanic services a car, he removes the belts to access the timing belt. In such situations, ask the mechanic to replace all the belts and put in new ones. You will save a lot of money when you take care of these things.
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