What Are The Top Car Maintenance Tips for Nigerian New Drivers

Car maintenance is one of the ways to ensure your vehicle lasts for a long time. Regular vehicle maintenance has become essential for car owners and their cars over the years. Oftentimes, we come across old model vehicles that are still in pretty great shape, both in the interior and exterior, which adds to the vehicle’s value. What could have enabled them to stay sound for that long? Regular maintenance.

The thing about vehicle maintenance is that it might seem insignificant, but over time, it adds up to the health of your vehicle. So, if you own a car in Nigeria that you’ll want to remain sound for a long period, then incorporate these regular maintenance tips into your car care.

1. Frequently Change Worn-out Car Tires

Worn-out tires can be a safety hazard, so it’s important to replace them when they start to show signs of wear. The faster you replace worn-out car tires, the safer your vehicle’s wheels remain.

2. Regularly Inspect Car Brake Pads & Car Rotors

Brake pads and rotors should be checked regularly to ensure they’re in good condition. Worn-out brake pads and rotors can affect braking performance; as such, inspect them often to dictate any sign of wear and tear.

3. Regularly Change Vehicle Oil & Oil Filter

This is one of the most important car maintenance tips. You should change the oil and oil filter every 5,000 kilometers or as the car manufacturer recommends. Regularly changing vehicle oil improves the engine performance of your car.

4. Regularly Inspect Vehicle Tire Pressure 

Underinflated tires can affect fuel efficiency, cause uneven tire wear, and increase the risk of Check battery terminals: Corrosion on battery terminals can cause starting problems, so checking and cleaning them regularly is important.

5. Always Replace Broken Spark Plugs

Worn-out spark plugs can cause misfires. Check the alignment: Wheel alignment should be checked regularly to ensure the car drives straight and handles well can affect engine performance and fuel efficiency.

6. Use Recommended Engine Oil For Your Vehicle

The car manufacturer specifies the recommended type of engine oil which should be used to ensure optimal engine performance. Avoid using any engine oil. They might serve you right now but might cause your vehicle to develop issues in the future.

7. Always Keep Vehicle Interior Neat

One of the hardest things to rid of a vehicle is stench. Once your vehicle’s interior has a bad odor, it’s almost difficult to wade off. To avoid issues like this, regularly clean the interior to help prevent odors and keep the car looking new. 

8. Cover Your Vehicle When Not In Use 

Avoid leaving your vehicles in open spaces, especially when you’re not using them. Park your cars in garages with roofs, or use a vehicle cover to protect the exterior paints. Parking the car in a covered area helps to protect its exterior painting from fading off over time.

9. Regularly Conduct Routine Check on the Vehicle Suspension

The suspension system should be checked regularly to ensure it’s in good condition. Worn-out suspension components can affect handling and stability.

10. Avoid Rough Driving

Rough driving can cause premature wear and tear on the car, so avoiding harsh acceleration, braking, and cornering is important.

11. Keep Your Car Properly Lubricated

One of the best ways to avoid regular wear and tear in certain areas of your vehicle is by applying lubricant to them. Regularly lubricating moving parts can help reduce friction and wear. 

12. Follow the Manufacturer’s  Recommended Maintenance Schedule

The car manufacturer provides a maintenance schedule, which should be followed to ensure the car is in good condition.

13. Replace Air Filter

A dirty air filter can affect engine performance and fuel efficiency, so it’s important to perform routine check-ins or replace a worn-out air-filter.

14. Inspect Coolant & Other Fluids

Coolant, transmission fluid, and brake fluid should be checked regularly to ensure they’re at the proper levels.

Conclusion

There are a thousand car maintenance tips. But these are the basics every car owner must master if the goal is to have a sound-looking vehicle many years from now. They might seem challenging to follow through with initially. But scheduling time for them reduces the stress of vehicle maintenance.