Maintaining your car’s engine is a crucial responsibility of every car owner. Know ten practical tips to maintain the engine.

It will not be wrong to compare a car with a human body. But, akin to the heart of a human body, a car’s engine performs vital functions. 

If the heart fails, the human body also fails to survive. Likewise, the car will stop working if the engine fails or malfunctions.

But, what often happens is many people do not pay much attention to the engine unless it develops a fault. It is a bad practice. As such, do not practice it. 

Instead, make it a point to check the engine frequently. But, checking it yourself does not imply that you need to do a mechanic’s job for your car. All you have to do is, check for malfunctions. And, if you find any, call up a mechanic to fix it.

To help you maintain your car’s engine, we share the following tips:

Check the Coolant Level

Make sure that there is adequate coolant in the engine’s cooling system. The cooling system enables the extraction of the excess heat out of the engine, preventing overheating.

Lift the hood, look at the coolant tank, and see the coolant level. Usually, the coolant is a green or orange coloured liquid. 

Overheating can cause damages to the engine, and that will entail significant money outgo in fixing the damage. Remember, any damage caused to the engine due to overheating will burn a hole in your pocket.

Check the Air Filters

As we already said, a car engine is comparable to the human body in many ways. For example, like a human body, a car engine needs a continuous airflow supply to keep it running.

The air filter supplies a continuous airflow by preventing junk particles, road debris, dirt, leaves, etc. from entering the engine.  

But, many such particles can accumulate over time, preventing the air filters from working correctly. So, check the air filters frequently and replace them if required.

Look for Leaks

If your car develops leaks, fluids will flow out. So, check for leaks below your car. For example, the engine hoses may fail due to intense heat and pressure, resulting in the leaking of vital fluids like oil. And you will see these issues with diesel engines, often parts that join together with a rubber seal or silicon. Call up a mechanic to fix it immediately if you notice any leak.

Change Engine Oil

Feeding the engine with engine oil is necessary as it cannot function without the oil. The function of the oil is to keep the engine lubricated. You will find the oil change interval in the user manual. 

If you cannot find it, you can search it online. Remember, if you fail to change the oil in due time, it can cause some severe damage to your engine.

Clean Sediments from Fuel Tank

Sediments in petrol and diesel settle at the bottom of the fuel tank. After using your car for some years, you will find a significant accumulation of junk. The fuel filter plays an important role in preventing the sediments from entering the engine.

If you run your car on reserve fuel, it can wear and tear your fuel filter as the fuel from the bottom of the tank gets used. And the bottom of the tank is where the sediments get accumulated. 

Remember, the engine can get damaged if the sediments enter into it.

Take Warning Lights Seriously

Do not undermine the signal if you see the engine icon on the instrument cluster. The icon is usually orange in colour and situated near the speedometer. The display of the icon indicates a problem in the engine, such as the engine temperature, battery, alternator or any other engine parts. 

You should either take your car to the nearest car service centre or call a mechanic to find out the underlying cause and fix it.

But, you should emphasize finding a good mechanic to fix the problem.

Avoid Revs

Engines function well when they run at a constant speed. However, the engine can undergo stress due to too much variation in the revs tires. When you drive, especially in cities, you need to come to a stop frequently. And that can take a toll on the engine. So, try not to rev too hard and avoid over accelerating when you know you have to stop again. 

Clean the Spark Plug

The spark plug is no different from a fire starter. It ignites the air-fuel mixture in the cylinders. First, you need to check if the spark plug needs to be cleaned or replaced. With regular maintenance, you can ensure that it works properly. If it does not require a replacement, replace it. If it does not, cleaning it will do.

Check the Belts

The rubber belts are essential things to keep the engine running. However, if you hear any sound coming from under the hood, you need to replace the belts. 

Again, if you see any cracks or signs of wear, you should replace the belts. Remember, if the belts break while the engine is running, it can cause severe damage. As a result, it will entail money outgo in fixing the damages.

Check the Fuel Filter

It filters out junk from the fuel to allow clean fuel to enter the combustion chamber. So, there will be less build-up inside the engine. If you find any fault with the fuel filter, replace it with a new one.

Conclusion

The checks can help you to keep the engine in good condition, saving you money in repairs or replacement. The engine is the most vital and complex component of your car. Therefore, it is essential to take adequate care of the engine.