"You just need to be aware of what you should be keeping an eye on and keep a regular maintenance schedule," he says.
Read the car's manual and schedule maintenance
Battery check
Good visibility
One of the most neglected basic car care tips is taking care of your windshield wipers. You should change your wipers every 12 months or if the rubber becomes worn. You will also want to check the wiper fluid reservoir and keep it full.
You want to learn about potential problems before they happen so that you can prevent them - or fix them immediately. Find an owners' forum online and get on the wavelength of what the potential problems could be as your car gets older.
You should check the level of your antifreeze, oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid, very regularly. We advise you check these every time you put in petrol. Even if your car doesn't leak fluids, it can develop a leak and quickly have a dangerously low level of fluids. It's also important to change the oil regularly. This will improve your mileage and protect your engine. The recommended mileage between oil changes is 5 000 to 8 000km or every three to six months. It is also important to change the oil filter - there is no sense in putting clean oil through a dirty filter. Filters are cheap and available at any parts store. Check your service manual, or contact your dealer for your car's specific needs.
Monitor your brake pad thickness and don't let the pads wear down to metal. This will cause damage to your brake rotors (discs) at least and possibly your callipers as well. Rotors and callipers are much more expensive to replace than pads.
Changing tyre position is very important and reduces uneven wear and tear on the tread, thus extending the life of the tyres. Generally they should be rotated diagonally - front right to rear left and front left to rear right. You also need to check your tyre pressure regularly. Proper tyre inflation will help the tyres handle better and last longer and it will help you get the most out of a tank of petrol. It's also a good idea to have your tyres checked for wear regularly.·
Even if you are driving a car with an automatic transmission, use your hand brake regularly, especially if you're parked on an incline. It helps keep the brakes adjusted in the rear of the car and last longer.
Pay close attention to your vehicle's noises and also to its warning lights and even cosmetic things, like a piece of rubber trim that's loose. Ignoring a problem only allows it to get worse and parts for aging vehicles only get harder to find.