In order to increase the useful life of your car, you need to follow some tips. By doing these things, you will not only save money, but you will enjoy using the car. Here are some tips for proper car maintenance.
The useful life of foreign cars is estimated to be around 320,000 to 400,000 kilometers, which includes a period of around 10 years. But in relation to domestic cars, these figures are much lower than global standards. According to the new statistics published by Tehran Technical Inspection Headquarters in 2017, the depreciation rate of cars in Tehran and other similar cities is more than expected.
According to this statistic, 50% of the cars that have not yet received their technical inspection have failed in the superior technical inspection tests.
According to experts, heavy traffic and high gradients in most areas of Tehran and other similar cities are the main reason for reducing the useful life of cars and increasing their emissions.
Cars are by no means designed to work on the spot, and heavy traffic in big cities puts extra pressure on them.
On the other hand, the low quality of the fuel is one of the factors that increase the car’s catalyst in a limited period of time and increase its emissions.
In addition to all the mentioned cases, the wrong beliefs and habits of us Iranians while driving and the lack of proper maintenance of the car are also among the things that impose many material and spiritual losses on us and the society every year.
Here is a brief overview of some of these driving mistakes:
Holding the brake pedal to pass the accelerator
During braking, more than half of the car’s weight is applied to the front wheels. On the other hand, the brakes are designed so that they act in a cross way. This is because if the brake on one side of the car does not work, the other side will work on time. If your speed is high while approaching the speed bump, your car will either skid or veer to the side when passing the speed bump, which will eventually cause an accident. The best thing is to put your foot on the brake pedal before approaching the speed limiter, slow down and pass it slowly. Breaking the windows instead of using the cooler
This is one of the most common mistakes among Iranian drivers. Tests show that, contrary to what many of us think, keeping the windows down increases fuel consumption by 40% compared to keeping the air conditioner on.
Not shifting gears at red lights and traffic
This causes a lot of pressure on the clutch and gearbox.
Not changing the oil filter on time
Not changing the oil filter on time or using cheap and low-quality filters are among the factors that damage the car.
Raising the handbrake without using its button
Many of us think that the button built into the handbrake is only used to lower it. If you need to use this button while raising the handbrake. Because not following this point, in addition to causing damage to the wheel loaders, puts a lot of pressure on the handbrake wire.
Not knowing about the need to change the gearbox oil
Like other oils, Vaskazin needs to be changed. This is one of the points that Iranian drivers are unaware of. Changing the gearbox oil on time is one of the main factors to improve its performance and health.
Taking the brake and clutch at the same time to stop the car
Holding the brake and clutch at the same time reduces the braking force, which slows down the process of stopping the car. It is better to slow down the car first by holding the brake and stop it with the clutch before the car shakes and turns off.
Using tap water in the radiator and window washer source
The range of damage caused by the use of tap water is not limited to the radiator, but also affects the water pump, engine and cylinder head gasket of the car.
Also, the use of tap water in the glass washing source, in addition to causing a lot of deposits in the source, also causes a lot of damage to hoses, nozzles and pumps. The best option for this is to use water that has been boiled several times.
Overloading the vehicle and unnecessary use of the load carrier
Passenger car is not made for moving cargo and household furniture. Placing heavy equipment in the trunk of the car causes serious damage to it and increases fuel consumption.
If you don’t need the strap, open it.
Refueling after the fuel light is on
Refuel before the fuel light comes on. This causes sediments and impurities in the tank to enter the fuel pump, fuel filter and finally the injector.
Choosing the wrong engine oil
One of the most important factors in choosing oil is paying attention to its type and quality level. The wrong engine oil causes serious damage to the car.
Resting the foot on the clutch
This issue is one of the habits that some drivers are involved in unintentionally. In many cases, despite high speed and being on higher gears such as 4 or 5, the driver unintentionally presses on the clutch and imposes a kind of release and pressure on the gearbox and gearbox.
Gas before turning off or starting the car
Another habit of some drivers is to hit the gas before turning off the car, which they have gotten used to since the time of injection cars. It is worth noting that this issue has a reverse effect on injection cars and severely damages them. This action also leaves some unburned gasoline in the engine, which will be very effective in the failure of the injector needle.
Gasping before turning on the car in injection models is another mistake. In old cars, in order to turn them on better, before turning on the light, he gasses the car, which is not recommended for the injection type.
-Using the cooler when the car is stopped
Turning on the air conditioner while stopping also causes serious damage to the car engine.
– Use of non-standard alarms
Non-standard alarms will cause damage to the car’s electrical system.
Not taking unusual sounds and vibrations seriously
The habit of turning on the car and audio system at the same time and listening to music continuously can distract you from the sounds and vibrations of the car and its possible faults.
– Using heavy and non-standard rims
Heavy rims cause double pressure on the car and increase fuel consumption.
– Necessary and important recommendations for car care and maintenance
1) Check the tire pressure at least once a month. The standard pressure for each car is mentioned in its manual.
2) Check wheel balance periodically. In this regard, in the article “How to prevent car punctures?” We provided explanations.
3) It is recommended that the front end, steering system and suspension system of the car be visited every three months.
4) Change your tires according to the manufacturer’s instructions or according to your mechanic’s opinion.
5) Do not turn on the air conditioner when it is stopped.
6) Car spark plugs should be replaced every 20,000 kilometers.
7) Brake pads and fuel filters should be replaced every 15,000 kilometers.
8) Service and replace the timing belt according to the standard timing of your car. The timing belt needs to be replaced every 60,000 to 80,000 kilometers.
9) Change the air filter after every 5000 km.
10) Always check the car oil.
11) Avoid parking the car under the sun as much as possible.
12) Record the necessary schedule for dealing with periodical services and replacing your consumable or sensitive parts by entering the date and kilometers in a notebook.
13) Take car warning signs seriously.
14) If the step light is on, do not move the car in any way.
15) Check for vehicle fluid leaks, such as engine oil and brake fluid, as soon as possible.
16) Continuously check your car’s wiring harness. Do not simply skip any changes.
17) After washing the car, dry it with a towel as much as possible.
18) Washing parts of the car such as the engine with inappropriate materials can damage it. Spraying high-pressure water on parts such as coils, delco, spark plugs and fuel injection system and electrical sensors can cause various problems for your car.
19) If you wash the car, carefully dry all the sockets, candles and wires before turning it on.
20) If you use high-powered audio systems, use an extra battery or a speaker with a higher power.
21) Fluctuation of the light of the lights when the car is working in situ and also some keys not working indicate serious problems in the car’s electrical system. Never postpone dealing with these matters.
22) Less common problems such as increased fuel consumption or reduced engine power are among the cases that require more attention and accuracy than other cases. In such cases, maybe adjusting the engine will work for you.
One of the most important points to consider in car maintenance is paying attention to factors that are often overlooked. Things like installing powerful audio systems that leave very destructive effects on the car’s dynamo and battery and depreciate the car’s electrical and wiring system at a very high speed.
Also, keep in mind that despite what most of us think, using the car in short distances (about less than 3 km) not only does not reduce its depreciation, but has the opposite effect on it.
In traveling short distances and turning off the car quickly, serious damage is done to the engine; Because due to the fact that the engine does not reach the required temperature, this will cause the engine to wear down and collect oil deposits inside it.
In the end, it is recommended that in addition to avoiding frequent acceleration and braking while driving; After a long drive and before closing the switch, allow the car fan to turn off.
Compliance with all the things mentioned in this article will ultimately help to increase the useful life of your car and reduce your maintenance costs to a very high extent.
