Maintaining your car is very important and every car owner should learn to do this diligently– not only to increase the lifespan of theirvehicle, but, more importantly, to keep them safe.

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Carrying out preventive maintenance in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations (for your car’s specific model) is the best thing that you can do for your vehicle to increase its operating life and, ultimately, save you money on repairs. Cars with a full service history will also be worth more when the time comes to sell them on (or trade them in). A vehicle that is maintained correctly will perform optimally and will also be lighter on fuel than a poorly maintained vehicle.

Here are 7 tips to ensure that your car is properly maintained for a longer life span, from motus.cars, supported by Motus Ford (previously Imperial Ford):

1. Check your air filter

If the engine is the heart of your car, the air filter is arguably the nose! Why? Because the air filter blocks dust, dirt and other impurities from entering your engine through the air-intake system. The problem is that air filtersget clogged after a while and, because they can’t clean themselves, they’ll stop working properly.Therefore, get your air filters changed every 12 months or after 20 000 kilometres, whichever comes first. Filters are usually checked with every regular service.

2. Inspect fluids and tyre pressures regularly

Oil and water are very important components of your car and have a habit of wearing and running out if you don’t keep an eye on them. Check these at least once a month – it only takes 10 minutes – or ask a petrol attendant for assistance.

The oil is the lifeblood of your enginebecause it provides much-needed lubrication for moving parts that work at high speed and at lofty temperatures.Make sure that you use the correct grade of motor oil for your vehicle, because using the incorrect kind or poor quality of oil can cause major problems for your car, such as excessive wear of the motor’s internal components.This may lead to sluggishperformance at best – and a catastrophic failure/seizure at worst.

Therefore, it’s important to check your oil leveloften, preferably every time you fill up with fuel (excessive oil loss may point to a leak in the lubrication system) and be sure to change your oil regularly too, preferably twice a year.

Water helps to regulate your engine’s operating temperature, so make sure that your car’s water level is sufficient and don’t forget to add antifreeze. Antifreeze increases the water’s boiling point,prevents water from freezing and, of course, helps cool your engine effectively. The mixing ratio is usually 50% antifreeze and 50% water. You should replace antifreeze approximately every two years. Take care when opening the water cap, especially when the engine’shot.

When you stop at a petrol station to have your vehicle refuelled, ask that your tyres’ pressures be checked tomake sure that they are inflated correctly. Refer to your owner’s manual to check what tyre pressure is suitable for your car’s tyres. Maintaining the correct pressure will minimise uneven tyre wear, reduce the chance of a tyre failure (blow-out), andoptimise fuel consumption. For an accurate tyre-pressure reading, check the pressures when the tyres are cold.

TIP: Watch “How to change a flat tyre”.

3. Check your battery

Get your car’s battery checked regularly as batteries only have a lifespan of approximately three years. Having afully charged battery is imperative because numerous vehicle components, such as the ignition system (to startthe engine reliablyon demand), head- and tail lights, aircon, radio, gaugesetc draw power from it (and modern vehicles have manymore electrical components than those). Batteries’ ability to discharge/charge diminishes as they get older, but if your battery runs down to the point that it’s difficult or impossible to start the car while the unit is still relatively new that may point to a drain on the system (an electrical fault) or a failing/malfunctioning alternator (which recharges the battery).

Batteries can also “die” when there is no failsafesystem to stop the unit’s charge from being run down too far. Avoid jump-starting a modern vehicle if you can, because if you get the procedure wrong, you can damage its electric system.

TIP: Read “How to safely jump-start your vehicle”.

4. Clean your car regularly

Cleaning and polishing your car regularly will ensure the longevity of the paintwork, which is the sheet metal’s first line of defence against corrosion (rust),as well as rubber and plastic trimmings, especially if your car is often parked in the baking African sun. Bird droppings or tree sap should be washed off immediately, if possible. Therefore, do your best to keep the car clean for as long as you can:park it indoors, under a roof, or use a car cover so it stays cleaner for longer.

And remember, don’t use household cleaning detergents to clean your car, rather buy cleaning products (car shampoo,a high-quality chamois/sponge and soft drying cloths) that are designed specifically for cleaning cars.

TIP: Watch “How to remove pet hair from your car easily”.

5. Get your tyres rotated and balanced

This will prevent uneven or excessive wearing of tyres,because the longer you can make them last, the less frequently you will need to replace them.Tyres do not wear evenly – so by rotating the front and back tyres (thewheels that propel the car tend to wear faster), you balance the tyrewear evenly and ensure that the setlasts longer.Rotating your tyres on a regular basis (between 5 000 km and 10 000 km) will ensure the best results (and don’t forget those tyre pressures).

Also, make sure your tyres are correctly balanced whenever you have your tyres changed or repaired – a tyre service centrecanassist you in this regard, although the service isn’t complimentary (as fluid and tyre pressure checks are at a fuel station, for example). It is important, though – unbalanced tyres cause premature and irregular tyre wear and can damage your vehicle’s suspension. If you feel vibrations while driving, you need to have your tyres balanced correctly.

You should also check your car’s wheel alignment, which can be done upon request when you take your car for a service or by a tyre service centre.It’s important to have your wheels and steering components correctly aligned to prevent premature and uneven tyre wear.Alternatively, you should check your wheel alignment after every 10 000 km. If you notice uneven tread wear on your tyres, the best remedy is to have your front wheels correctly aligned.

TIP: Read “Rotate your tyres to extend their life and improve performance!”.

6. Clean your windshields and replace the wipers

If you do not clean your car’s windscreen properly (the windscreen spray/wipe function may not be sufficient), the accumulated dirt or insect residue on your windscreen not only makes it difficult to see – it can also scratch the glass.

Make sure that your windscreen wipers are functioning properly and that their rubber blades have not perished. Also, make sure that you have sufficient water in your windscreen-washer reservoir (again, a fuel station attendant can help you).

When the rainy season is approaching, be sure to check your wipers and get theblades replaced if necessary. Some motorists replace their cars’windscreen wipers at least once a year.

TIP: Watch “How to get rid of squeaky wiper blades easily”.

7. Check your brakes

It’s important to check engine oil and coolant levels regularly, but don’t forget about the brake fluid either. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, which means it absorbs waterand, if it becomes contaminated with moisture, the car’s hydraulic braking system, which relies on the fluid, will no longer function properly. Replace it timeously. To ensure that your brake fluid is sufficient,consult your owner’s manual and follow the directions to checkthe level in your car’s brake-fluid canister.

Remember, safety is paramount… If your brakes are making unusual noises or you notice your vehicle’s not stopping as quickly as itshould, get the car’s brake pads and disks checked out by a dealer- or reputable independent workshop.

Visit motus.cars for more info,tips and, if you’re thinking of selling your car (or trading it in on a new one),let motus.cars provide you with a vehicle evaluation. You can also join the conversation onFacebook and YouTube.

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