Safety tips : Maintenance safety tips for this festive season

It is that time of the year again when some of us will be preparing to go upcountry and meet our loved ones. That is not a bad idea at all, if anything it is highly recommended. However, before that long trip where some people intend to spend a week or even a full month, take note of general maintenance of your car. We often do not think about maintenance on our vehicles until something is wrong. But keeping your car in top running condition is vital and more especially when you are to travel. Below are five tips you should not miss.

Oil change
Oil is the engine’s blood and it is critical to ensuring a car’s long life. Your vehicle’s oil should be changed depending on your driving habits, typically every 3,000-7,000 miles or around three to six months. You should check your car’s oil level about every 1,000 miles. Keep your oil changed - it is the easiest thing to overlook and ignore but the most important thing anyone can do. There are many engine parts that get to wear out due to the lack of oil changes.

Tyre maintenance
Properly maintained tyres improve your vehicle’s steering, stopping and traction. Tyre pressure should be set to the manufacturer’s specifications, which can usually be found in the owners’ manual, on a sticker inside fuel filler door (cover) or on the door well (open your door and look for a sticker on the side of the door) of the driver’s side door.

It is important to keep your tyres inflated to the pressure that is recommended by the manufacturer of the car. Proper inflation keeps your tyres wearing correctly. Over- or under-inflated wears tyres out faster, can negatively affect fuel consumption and present a safety hazard.
Get your tyres rotated and balanced every 6,000-8,000 miles and get the alignment checked at least once a year to make sure there are not suspension problems.

Fluids
Transmission fluid, brake fluid, and coolant can break down over time and lose their effectiveness. All fluids should be checked and topped off every oil change. Have your transmission fluid flushed out every 50,000 miles, depending on your driving habits and your vehicle manufacturer’s specifications.

Brake check

A brake inspection should be part of your vehicle’s ongoing regular maintenance to ensure safety and reliability. Have your brakes inspected at least once a year or more often if you experience grinding, vibrations or shaking when you brake. Regardless of the vehicle, brakes generally need to be replaced every 20,000-30,000 miles.

Scheduled maintenance
As a passenger, failure to follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule could lead to loss of warranty coverage, breakdowns, poor fuel economy and a higher cost of ownership in the long run. Having a certified professional inspect your car according to these schedules is an opportunity to catch problems before they get you stuck or escalate into larger repairs.

Build a relationship with a shop or mechanic. Or “own” a mechanic or two. It pays when you have a trusted mechanic that you regularly use for general fixes. Bouncing from one spare parts shop to another may save you a few shillings on particular jobs, but in the end the only one who will have any responsibility for the condition of the car will be you.

jkatende@ug.nationmedia.com