An engine is one of the most important components of the car if the not the absolute most important one. Without an engine, the car is not much more than a pile of metal connected to 4 wheels. So if you want to keep your car moving, you better take care of that engine.
Another equally important reason to keep the engine in top condition is that dealing with engine issues and fixing them is often quite expensive. Most of us can probably relate to that sheer sense of dread and terror when we see the “check Engine” light flashing on the dashboard.
Accordingly, we’ve decided to list a few ways for you to maintain your engine in good condition.
Regular Oil Change
Failure to do so means that the engine will not be experiencing the necessary level of lubrication which clean oil provides. Lack of proper lubrication will generally cause overheating of the engine as well as result in a much shorter life span for the moving parts within it. Going too long without an oil change will cause permanent damage overtime.
Maintain the Cooling System
This system consists of a few components which are the radiator, the thermostat, the coolant fluid, and the water pump. This system basically protects your engine from overheating. How it works is that the thermostat triggers the release of the coolant fluid from the radiator via the water pump for circulation through the engine once the temperature reaches a specific level.
So, its very important to check the coolant level regularly in the coolant tank and ensure it is somewhere between the minimum and maximum marks.
Check for Leaks
Before you move your car, its always a good idea to take a quick look under it and check if there is a leak. The two main liquids that usually leak from cars are either oil or anti-freeze fluid. Leaks may occur due to damaged engine hoes and that engine is usually the result of wear and tear due to over exposure to hear and pressure.
It’s always better to take care of a leak problem early on when it hasn’t had the time to cause any considerable damage. Failure to do so however, may result in much bigger issues for your engine.
Don’t wait till the fuel level is too low
Regularly waiting till the gas/fuel alarm flashes on your dashboard means that your gas tanks is often almost empty. Gasoline will leave residual matter over time at the bottom of your gas tank and when the tank empties up, some of that matter will go your fuel filter.
This means that some of that matter will make it into your engine and that can cause considerable damage to it. As such, it is recommended that you should maintain a minimum level of a half full tank to avoid such risks as well as regularly replace your fuel filter.
