Keeping your car in top condition is a smart move that saves you money and ensures your safety on the road. With the right knowledge and a little effort, maintaining your vehicle can be simpler than you might think.
Maintaining your vehicle is an important factor in overall car ownership costs - as much so as paying for elements such as fuel, comprehensive car insurance and car loan payments. In this guide, we aim to explain everything about car maintenance, as well as share some great tips for maintaining your car.
What is car maintenance?
Car maintenance involves a range of activities designed to keep your vehicle functioning optimally. Key components such as the engine, tyres, brakes, and battery all require regular attention to keep them in good working order and to avoid frequent and expensive servicing or new parts.
Maintaining a car does come at some cost - but it’s one of many ongoing costs of a car that are very important to both value and function.
The importance of regular servicing
Just like us, cars need regular check-ups. Regular servicing ensures that any potential issues are identified early and fixed before they turn into costly repairs. It also optimises your vehicle's performance and fuel efficiency.
With regular servicing avoiding major problems, the rate at which the value of your car depreciates will be reduced. This means that - when it comes time to sell the vehicle for a new car - you can get more for it. This of course will differ for those with car loans or other agreements.
Car maintenance tips
Check and change your oil
Oil keeps your car's engine parts lubricated and running smoothly. This means that refusing to keep your engine oil topped up will mean such parts won’t get the right levels of lubrication - which in turn leads to significant engine wear, damage, and repairs.
Regularly checking the oil level and colour can indicate when it's time for an oil change, which is typically every 5,000 to 10,000 kilometres, depending on your vehicle.
Care for your tyres
Maintaining proper tyre pressure is vital for fuel efficiency, tyre lifespan, and safety of your drive - meaning that checking your tyre pressure monthly as well as before long road trips is key. Regular tyre rotation and alignment checks also help ensure even tyre wear across your front and rear tyres.
Watch your battery life
Your phone isn’t the only battery you need to keep charged! A weak car battery can leave you stranded if it gives out unexpectedly - meaning regular checks can extend your battery's life. Look for signs of corrosion and ensure the battery is securely mounted in the correct spot.
Check other fluid levels
Your car uses various fluids to function, including cooling system coolant, brake fluid, power-steering fluid, and automatic transmission fluid. Regular checks on these fluids can prevent issues like overheating or brake failures from not having enough in your vehicle.
Keep an eye on your brakes
Brakes are vital to your safety. Regular brake checks can identify worn brake pads or other issues that could impact braking performance. Brake lines are also important to keep an eye on - especially if you’ve had to do hard braking often.
Keep your car clean
Regularly cleaning your car, inside and out, not only keeps it looking good but also extends its life by preventing rust and wear.
Look out for areas of your car you might not often consider needing much of a cleaning, such as your wiper blades or side mirrors.
Explaining car maintenance costs
Understanding the costs of maintaining a car can help you budget effectively. While some costs like regular servicing or tyre replacement are predictable, others, like repairs, can be unexpected.
In this case, preparation is your best friend. Setting aside a budget for maintenance can help manage these sudden costs whenever they appear.
Professional vs DIY car maintenance
While some car maintenance tasks can be done at home, others require professional expertise. Even if you have a decent amount of experience and knowledge about cars, it’s important to know when you can attempt some maintenance yourself and when you should consult a professional.
Regular servicing by a trusted mechanic ensures your car is in good hands and helps identify potential issues early.
Make getting your next car easi with a novated lease
Regular car maintenance is an investment that pays off. It extends your car's life, ensures it performs well, and keeps you safe on the road.
Getting professional maintenance done on your car can be expensive - however, with a novated lease it can be less so. Unlike standard car loan repayments, novated lease payments come from your pre-tax salary - meaning you end up paying less income tax at the end of the financial year.
Easi is a novated leasing company with 20 years of experience in the industry of car leasing and financing. We can use our extensive knowledge to deliver effective business car solutions for people all over Australia.
If you’re looking to save on the running costs of your next car with a novated lease, contact us today to learn more!
