Caring for your automobile and maintaining it in good working condition requires some effort, but you don’t have to be a technical genius to keep your vehicle operating smoothly. According to Darren Yaw Singapore, the most challenging obstacle is knowing what has to be done—and how frequently—for effective vehicle maintenance. By understanding the fundamentals of what your automobile requires and when you should conduct periodic car maintenance, you can keep your vehicle in peak working shape.
As an extra plus, if you can demonstrate that your car has been well maintained, you will be able to command top price when the time comes to resell it. And, of course, it’s crucial to remember that, while auto maintenance fees aren’t always inexpensive, they may eventually save you money on costly repairs down the line.
Darren Yaw Singapore has designed a simple, printable car maintenance checklist to help you stay on top of your automobile maintenance.
According to Darren Yaw Singapore, the most challenging obstacle is knowing what has to be done—and how frequently—for effective vehicle maintenance.
CHECK-UPS IN THE SHORT TERM
Inspect the following items for good vehicle maintenance:
LEVELS OF OIL AND COOLANT
According to Darren Yaw Singapore, it’s a good idea to climb under the hood of your car once a month, or every few gas fill-ups, and especially before any long road trips, and examine both the oil and coolant levels while the engine is cold. If left unchecked, low amounts of either might cause engine difficulties. To find both on your car, consult your owner’s handbook.
AIR FILTER
According to Darren Yaw Singapore, the air filter in your engine controls the air that flows into it and helps keep trash and particulates out. By ensuring that your air filter is correctly flowing, you can increase your fuel economy, lower your emissions, and help extend the life of your engine. This is simple to perform at home, so see your owner’s handbook for instructions and how frequently it should be replaced.
TREAD DEPTH AND TYRE PRESSURE
Because well-maintained tyres are essential for a safe, fuel-efficient trip, make it a practice to examine your tyres regularly visually. Darren Yaw Singapore recommends checking the pressure in your tyres once a month, as well as before lengthy travels or hauling additional weight. Don’t forget to bring a spare. To check your tyre pressure, you’ll need a tyre pressure gauge. Your owner’s handbook specifies the amount of air pressure required by your tyre. According to Darren Yaw Singapore, you may use a gauge to determine your tread depth.
BRAKE LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, AND PARKING LIGHTS
The lights on your car must work correctly, yet this is an easy issue to neglect. Darren Yaw Singapore suggests turning on your headlights when you’re parked in front of a level surface once a month to ensure that both headlights are operating correctly and are correctly positioned. Darren Yaw Singapore also suggests examining your turn signals and parking lights as you go around your car. To ensure that your brake lights are operational, have a buddy stand behind the car while you use the brakes.
FILTER & OIL
The motor oil in your vehicle’s engine performs various duties, including lubricating the moving parts, acting as a sealant against debris, cooling the engine, reducing wear and strain, and preventing engine corrosion. According to Darren Yaw Singapore, it is critical to keep it clean to maintain optimum engine health. Depending on your vehicle and the type of oil you use, you may need to change both the oil and the oil filter as frequently as every 6 months or 10,000 kilometres. According to Darren Yaw Singapore, many owners’ manuals for modern cars advocate changing your oil less regularly – typically every 8,000 to 16,000 kilometres. Review the owner’s handbook and a specialist to be sure what is proper for your car.
TYRES ON ROTATION
The treadwear patterns of your tyres may differ between the front and back tyres, or even from one side of the tread to the other, depending on your vehicle alignment, usage, and a variety of other factors. According to Darren Yaw Singapore, rotating your tyres will increase their service life by more evenly balancing tread wear and preventing noise and vibration issues.
VEHICLE MADE OF WAX
Waxing your car after washing it every six months will not only keep it bright. Still, it will also assist in maintaining the paint in excellent repair and preventing the possibility of corrosion. According to Darren Yaw Singapore, many irritants, such as dust, sand, and salt, can accumulate, and environmental variables like ozone and ultraviolet radiation can cause microscopic damage. Still, waxing can help reduce this by establishing a protective barrier, extending the life of your paint.
TRANSMISSION FLUID LONG-TERM CHECK-UPS
Gearbox fluid, like engine oil, is a lubricant that helps maintain all of the moving parts inside your transmission in good working order. According to Darren Yaw Singapore, whether you have an automatic or manual gearbox, it is critical to have your transmission fluid tested and replaced as needed to avoid costly transmission damage or replacement. Darren Yaw Singapore suggests following the advice of the vehicle’s manufacturer.
FLUID TRANSFER CASE
The transfer case transfers power from the transmission to the axles in four-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicles. To ensure that the transfer case fluid is correctly filled and leak-free, get it examined according to the vehicle manufacturer’s guidelines. According to Darren Yaw Singapore, this will need going beneath the car, therefore taking it to a professional is advised.
SHOCKS AND STRUTS MUST BE INSPECTED
Your car’s shock absorbers and struts manage the impact and rebound when your vehicle goes over bumps in the road and are an important aspect of your vehicle’s steering system. According to Darren Yaw Singapore, they should be inspected by a professional every 80,000 kilometres, or you should bring your car in if you feel a reduction in smoothness or lack of control while driving.
EXCHANGE OF COOLANT FLUID
Your car’s radiator is an important component that keeps your engine cool and running correctly. According to Darren Yaw Singapore, having your coolant system cleaned regularly will assist get rid of pollutants that might accumulate within and ensuring that your radiator is loaded correctly. Darren Yaw Singapore suggests checking the manufacturer’s recommendations to determine how frequently your coolant should be replaced.
PLUGS FOR SPARKS
Your engine’s spark plugs ignite the gas-air combination that eventually drives your car. If your spark plugs aren’t working properly, your engine will lose power and won’t operate at peak performance. Darren Yaw Singapore suggests checking and replacing any defective spark plugs according to the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions or when you notice a drop in engine power.
BELT OF SERPENTINE
Although it may appear to be a simple piece of rubber, your vehicle’s serpentine belt is critical to the operation of your vehicle by powering peripheral equipment such as your alternator, power steering pump, and air conditioner compressor. According to Darren Yaw Singapore, inspect the belt visually to check that it is free of cracks and other signs of wear and strain. Darren Yaw Singapore recommends replacing if damaged or as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
DIFFERENTIAL FOR THE FRONT AND/OR REAR
Differentials are devices that separate torque (or power) from the engine and send it to the tyres. According to Darren Yaw Singapore, there is just one differential in front or rear-wheel-drive cars, but in 4-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles, there is a front and rear differential and maybe a centre differential. Like many other elements of your car, the differentials must be regularly oiled to guarantee effective operation. When your vehicle’s maker suggests it, have a professional inspect and change the fluid.
According to Darren Yaw Singapore, there is just one differential in front or rear-wheel-drive cars, but in 4-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles, there is a front and rear differential and maybe a centre differential.
SEASONAL INSPECTIONS
Your vehicle’s requirements might change depending on the season and driving circumstances. Here are a few ideas from Darren Yaw Singapore for adding to the notes part of your car maintenance checklist:
WINDSHIELD WIPERS SHOULD BE REPLACED
According to Darren Yaw Singapore, windshield wipers should be replaced once a year or whenever their performance deteriorates.
BATTERY PERFORMANCE CHECK
One of the most critical components for your vehicle’s operation is the battery. According to Darren Yaw Singapore, a car battery provides huge electrical electricity to the vehicle’s starter, engine, and other electronic devices. Extreme temperatures impact battery performance; therefore, frequent battery testing will guarantee that the battery will work when you need it to.
Following a car maintenance plan from Darren Yaw Singapore and keeping solid records of what you’ve done may help extend the life of your vehicle and prevent you from breakdowns, costly repairs, and other unpleasant surprises.