10 Things Every Car Owner Should Know

25/02/2019 - 10:18 | Featured | Yatharth Chauhan

A wide variety of options, an ever-increasing purchasing capacity, and the easy finance options have made it easy to buy a car these days. And it's even easier to learn how to drive. What's tough, however, is to understand the importance of keeping the vehicle in good condition. Here are a few basic things to know about cars -

Engine Oil

Many think that the role of a car's engine oil is to ensure proper combustion. They entirely forget that the oil helps in lubrication, cooling, and cleaning of your car's engine. Therefore, not having the right grade and quantity of engine oil will lead to three things - thermal degradation (lacquer and carbonaceous deposits), oxidation (varnish and sludge), and compressive heating (soot and tar). These things will be deposited in your car's engine, thereby increasing the friction between the vital parts. This will, in turn, lead to higher wear and tear, leading to low mileage and unscheduled maintenance. One of the things every car owner should know is that you should stick to the manufacturer-recommended oil grade and replacement intervals or check with one of the professional oil change services near you.

Also Read - 9 Things you should never do when driving with kids

Spare tire

Keeping a spare tire in the car is one of the basic things every car owner should know. Needless to say, the spare tire comes in handy every time you suffer a flat. Therefore, it is of utmost importance for a car owner to familiarise himself with the tools that are required to change the wheel. It's also important to keep the spare wheel in good shape, which includes ensuring that the tire is inflated correctly and doesn't have a malfunctioning valve or any cracks or bulges. The jack plays the most crucial role during the wheel change, as it manages the entire weight of the vehicle for you. Therefore, make sure that it is in a decent working condition.

Windshield Wiper Blades

One of the basic things to know about cars is to keep the windshield wiper blades in good condition. Those who have driven in the rain with worn-out wiper blades would know the pain that malfunctioning wipers bring in. Wiper blades are among the most critical components of a vehicle that many users tend to overlook until they realise their importance on having to drive in the rain with an unclear windscreen. Generally, wiper blades tend to get useless within six months. It may be noted that the rubber of the blades tends to get harder due to the high temperatures that they experience when your car is parked under the sun. Harder rubber doesn't clean the windshield properly.

Vehicle Fluids

It's not just the engine oil that demands attention. Many other fluids should be replaced or topped up as per the manufacturer-recommended intervals. These are the five most crucial vehicle fluids -

Engine Oil
Coolant
Power Steering Fluid
Brake Fluid
Windshield Washer Fluid

Also Read - 10 Useless accessories SUV owners can safely stay away from

Tire Pressure

Regardless of how powerful your car's engine is, it's the tires that are responsible for putting down that power on the tarmac. Unfortunately, a car's tyre remains one of the most neglected parts by most users. Maintaining the right tyre pressure is among the most effective ways to maximise the life of the tires. Maintaining tyres is also basic knowledge about cars. Many car users think that overinflation can improve handling characteristics and optimise fuel efficiency, too. In reality, however, overinflation leads to faster wear and tear. Overinflation even leads to a bumpy ride and increased stress on the suspension components. While overinflated tires could lead to slightly lower fuel consumption, it's not worth the several disadvantages that come along. Underinflation leads to lowered performance, increased fuel consumption, and higher wear and tear of the tires.

Headlights and Tail lights

The headlights and the taillights tend to get dimmer with time. Hence, it's a good practice to inspect them regularly. Regularly checking the condition of the lighting system is a preventive measure that can quickly help you avoid dangerous circumstances. It's important to get the headlights and taillights repaired as soon as you realise they need attention.

Car Maintenance

Sticking to the manufacturer-recommended service schedule is imperative. You can find the service schedule in your vehicle's owner's manual. It is required to follow the specified service intervals even if your car seems to be a good condition. Timely change of fluids, wheel balancing/alignment, and change of filters is essential for the smooth working of your car.

Also Read - 12 BAD habits that the average Indian driver is guilty of

Emergency Roadside Kit

You never know when your car might break down. Therefore, knowing how to rescue your car with an emergency kit is one of the top basic things to know about car for every car owner. It's also important to keep an emergency kit that comprises-

First Aid Kit
Fire Extinguisher
Jumper Cables
Utility Tool (like Swiss Army Knife)
Raincoat
Umbrella
Reflective Warning Triangle
Tire Gauge
Gloves
Rags
Duct Tape
Foam Tire Sealant
Flashlight
Extra Batteries
Tow Rope
Warm Blanket

Brakes

Brakes are the most critical safety feature that should never be neglected. Make careful observations while driving. Notice if the steering wheel vibrates on applying brakes. If so, get the brakes inspected at the earliest.

Car Covers

Car covers are an essential aspect of car maintenance, as they play a crucial role in protecting the vehicle from various external elements that can cause damage. A good-quality car cover can shield your car from rain, snow, dirt, bird droppings, UV rays, and other harmful elements that can cause rust, corrosion, fading of paint, and other forms of damage. Car covers also provide protection from minor scratches, dings, and dents caused by people and objects around the car. You should consider using a car cover especially if you own a less common car like a Corvette and don't drive it every day. Regularly using a car cover can save you money in the long run by preventing the need for costly repairs and maintenance. Therefore, investing in a high-quality car cover is a wise decision for any car owner who wants to keep their vehicle in excellent condition.

Get A Good Mechanic

Finally, find a good mechanic. While it's recommended to get your car serviced at the authorised dealership, but it's still a good idea to have a reliable mechanic near your residence. We recommend using a people lookup site to verify their credentials. Type their full name on the site (e.g., Aida Guajardo) and you'll find everything you need to make sure they're legit.

These are some basic things to know about cars. This knowledge could be very helpful for car owners.

FAQs:

What are the basic parts of a car?

A car is a complex system of machines, car parts that work together to make the car move forwards and provide pleasures and convenience for car owners. Even though the structure of the car is very complicated, there are some key car parts that play a very important role in the operation of a car. The most important part must be the engine. The engine is considered the heart of a vehicle. Along with the engine, the transmission is also one key car part of a car. These are the two main car parts that help pull the car forward. Besides, there are other elements that are important for the operation of a car, for example, the suspension system, fuel tank, battery, tyres, and so on. It is highly important to maintain car parts to make sure that the car will run in its best condition.

How do beginners learn about cars?

It can be very overwhelming for new car owners when they started to get into the world of car ownership. There is much information about how to maintain and drive a car efficiently. For a beginner, it is important to start with some basic things to know about cars first. You can find various resources that give thorough explanations about the basic car parts, operation of a car, and some good tips and tricks. The internet provides valuable information in different forms, from videos, articles, images, or podcasts. You can find the one that you feel more comfortable with and start to learn more about cars. It is also very helpful to get guidance from another experienced car owner. You will learn a lot from them.