Car Maintenance Tips at Automall Mt Gravatt

City driving, frequent short trips and driving in dusty, sandy or salty conditions can all have an effect on the quality of your car’s engine oil. Contaminants in the oil cause it to be less effective at protecting and lubricating the engine. It’s recommended checking your engine oil level and changing it regularly. Contact us to make a booking. 

A car’s radiator is vital for preventing the engine overheating, in addition the coolant serves as an anti-freeze and corrosion inhibitor. Your car radiator’s coolant level should be checked every couple of months. Never use regular tap water, as this will cause corrosion; distilled water can be used when diluting coolant concentrate. Check your car manual to find out the manufacturer’s recommended coolant type.

Newer cars may have ‘maintenance free’ batteries; others need checking every 6 months. Regular maintenance will keep your battery running to its optimum capacity and increase its life. Water levels of the terminals should be checked and filled with distilled water only, also note any corrosion and wear and replace immediately with the recommended part. Refer to your user manual or visit our service centre for assistance.

Our car tyres are what keep us on the road, having flat or bald tyres will cause your car to slide and loose traction, yet we often overlook this simple maintenance tip. Run a quick pressure and tread wear check on all four tyres and the spare every 2-4 weeks, or when you get fuel. 

You not only need to be able to see well when you are driving, but it is important that other drivers are able to see you and your intentions clearly. Headlights, indicators and break lights should all be checked regularly as bulbs can blow at any time. It’s always worth having spare bulbs tucked away in the garage to make the change, when it’s needed, as hassle free as possible. 

Check for wear and erosion of the rubber blades on your wipers to avoid scratching your windscreen. Cracked or dirty blades will also make the clearing of water less effective. Fill the washer water regularly so it’s there when you need it most.

Dust and dirt can build up in the air filter and restrict the airflow to your car’s engine. It is best to check and replace it every 20,000 – 24,000km, or when you have the oil changed. As every car is different check in your car manual for guidance and always use a genuine part when replacing. 

Check your fluid levels periodically to maintain the correct lubrication of the system and ensure smooth steering. Refer to your car manual for the recommended fluid type stated by the manufacturer or talk to a service technician, particularly if you notice significant drops in the level or any resistance when turning the steering wheel.

Regular washing and care of your car will prevent corrosion and help maintain its value. Washing your car at least once a month and waxing it every 3 to 4 months will help to protect your car’s paintwork which will result in a better price when the time comes to trade in your car. 

Our car air-conditioning is great at keeping us cool in the heat of summer but it should also be used at least once a week in winter to remove the humidity from the vehicle and keep the windscreen fog free. When travelling long distances set the ventilation to ‘flow through’ rather than ‘recirculate’ to prevent drowsiness caused by CO2.