The secret to keeping your car looking new and in good condition.

(Baonghean.vn) - Regularly maintaining and caring for your car can help extend its lifespan and save you money. Here are some ways to keep your car looking good and lasting longer.

Scheduled maintenance

If your car has a warranty booklet, use it as a reminder for when certain parts need replacing. Some parts need replacing over time, not just based on mileage.

Most vehicles require a camshaft drive belt replacement after 96,000–144,000 km. This cost is not cheap, but it is far less expensive than the damage caused by the failure.

Repair it immediately after it breaks down.

If you want to keep your car for as long as possible, don't overlook seemingly minor issues like a broken trim strip, torn seat cushions, or electrical system malfunctions.

Small problems that aren't addressed promptly tend to accumulate and degrade your vehicle.

Check the oil.

You should check the engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid levels regularly; even if there isn't a leak, there's a potential for one, and it can quickly become a hazard.

Sometimes, if the container is a clear plastic bottle, or if you look through the dipstick, the antifreeze may appear pink, green, or yellow. If you see brown, the oil needs to be changed immediately.

Clean the engine cooling system.

The cooling system should be cleaned every two years or 38,000 km for most vehicles. You need to clean this system with a specialized solution.

Remove all dirt, grease, and other debris. Then fill with a 50/50 mixture of coolant and water (if you live in a harsh climate, increase the coolant ratio to around 70%).

Change the tire position.

Rotating tires helps reduce uneven wear and increases tire lifespan. The recommended replacement cycle is twice a year or after approximately 10,000 km.

Swap the tires diagonally: the front right tire goes to the rear left, and the front left tire goes to the rear right. However, this method may vary depending on the vehicle's drivetrain or tire type. Some tires (especially on sports cars) can only be swapped in this specific direction.

Pay attention to every detail.

Don't ignore unusual noises, strange smells, or anything else out of the ordinary. If you notice any unusual signs, take your car to a dealership for repair. And don't let them convince you that "it's normal." Once you've driven long enough, your own experience will tell you what's truly normal.

Reduce rust

Avoid parking in excessively hot garages. You should wash your car after it rains because the salt, acid, and dust in rainwater can cause metal parts to rust.

After washing your car, in addition to drying the surface, you also need to pay attention to drying exposed areas, especially technical parts where water can easily accumulate, such as the edges of the windshield and rear window, inside the bolt holes of the rims, the radiator grille, etc. If not dried properly, dust will quickly accumulate, forming clumps of dirt that will become thick and difficult to clean over time.

Avoid taking routes that are too short.

Short distances don't allow the engine to warm up sufficiently, which can damage the engine, increase fuel consumption, and reduce the lifespan of the muffler.

Basically, condensation often forms in the exhaust pipe when starting the engine in the early morning, and if the car isn't driven long enough to evaporate the condensation, a significant amount of water can accumulate in the muffler and cause rust.

Ngoc Anh

(Synthetic)