An Essential Guide To Prolong The Life Of Your Engine

When it comes to a valuable asset, people are willing to go the extra mile to protect and preserve such investment. Being one of the most expensive hard assets you’ll ever own, the same treatment should be the goal for your car’s engine.

When you own a car, you’ll want to be a responsible car owner, both as to its maintenance and to avoid a car accident. This means doing everything that you can to avoid costly repairs. While car engines typically have a limited life span, this doesn’t necessarily mean that there isn’t anything that you can do to prolong it.

That said, this article gives you a quick guide on the basics of how you can prolong the life of your engine.

1. Review Your Owner’s Manual

Your owner’s manual is given to you by your car dealer not just for it to sit in your glove compartment unopened. You’ll have to give attention to it too, and this means reading through it. This is the best way for you to get to know more about your car, so you can be a better owner.

When you review your owner’s manual, you’ll be reminded of important dates like the regular maintenance schedule. Be sure you’re up-to-date with that. The car manual also enables you to get to know more about your car engine. That way, you’re aware of the potential telling signs of a problem that needs to be addressed.

2. Change The Oil Regularly

Changing the engine oil regularly is needed to keep your engine running in good condition. Remember that the oil plays a very important role in keeping your engine lubricated. That way, the car engine itself won’t overheat. So, be sure to change the oil regularly.

If you’re driving a newer car, it is easier for you to determine that an oil change is needed. There’s typically a pilot light that’ll light up to let you know that it’s time for a change. If you aren’t sure, you can also check the manufacturer’s instructions, so you’ll know for how long your car can keep running before a change in engine oil is necessary.

As you change your engine oil, it’s an added proactive step for you to change the oil filter. This is important, given that the oil filter is responsible for catching the debris floating in your engine oil and keep it in pristine condition.

3. Check The “Check Engine” Light

If you’re driving a new car, there’s also a light that turns on whenever there’s a possible engine problem. This is also referred to as the “Check Engine” light. If it’s on, then take note of that instruction by having the engine checked.

In older cars, even if there isn’t a light for this, some telling signs of a problem are when strange smells and noises are coming from the engine. Always have this looked into by a reputable mechanic. Don’t skimp on that, as if you ignore it, you may only be setting yourself up for more costly problems in the future.

4. Keep The Cooling System In Good Condition

Another part of the car that’s directly related to car engine health is its cooling system. As you regularly change oil, you also have to ensure that your cooling system is in good, working condition. This system includes the radiator, coolant, water pump, and thermostat.

It’s important to keep the cooling system in good shape so that the car engine also won’t overheat. It’s quite straightforward to solve this. It’s as easy as making sure that your car has enough coolant or radiator fluid.

5. Check Your Tire Pressure Regularly

Your car should always be running on the required tire pressure. Otherwise, if it’s anything below the minimum, your car may be exerting much more effort than it should be doing. The effect of this is that your gas also has to double-time to keep up with the effort, just to make the car run smoothly. This is giving so much extra work on your engine when that could’ve been prevented by going simply ensuring that you have the proper tire pressure.

Final Word

As a car owner, do you spend time thinking about your car engine? Or perhaps you’re like many who don’t really put much thought into it, not until a problem arises. Given that it’s mainly responsible for powering your car, it’s just but understandable for you to give much thought to it. You can start with the tips above. This essential guide can save you thousands in the long run—when you’re able to prolong your car engine’s life.