An engine is to a vehicle as a heart is to a body.
Did you like that analogy? Well, it is pretty accurate. Our hearts are what make us stay alive and “run” just like an engine does inside of a vehicle. And just like we need to stay in shape and eat well to keep our hearts healthy, the same goes for an engine; in order for our engines to remain in good shape and help our vehicles to run smoothly and efficiently, we must maintain our vehicles well.
Most drivers that are not too familiar with the inner workings of their vehicle may just go about their lives not giving too much thought to what’s going on under the hood, so to speak. They may drive and drive and get their oil changed as well as any other basic regular maintenance, but might neglect other aspects of the vehicle, such as the engine. Things that you don’t regularly see or notice are easy to forget about.
We all want to keep our vehicles running and in good shape, as we all need to get from point A to point B, and we don’t want to accrue an unexpected repair bill. You definitely need to get somewhat knowledgeable on keeping up with the health of your vehicle, if you aren’t already.
What exactly can you do to keep your engine in tiptop shape?
These are the basics:
- Check your oil regularly and completely change it with the recommended type of oil. Every 3,000 to 10,000 miles based on manufacturers requirements.
- Make sure all of your liquids are topped off and there are no leaks. For example, you need coolant to regulate the engine’s temperature; if this is low or there is a leak, your engine could overheat.
- Changing out the air filter every 15,000 to 20,000 miles is also recommended. When the air filter becomes dirty, restricting the flow of air into the engine reducing power and fuel economy.
- Lastly, the timing belt and driving belt need to be inspected and replaced for signs of wear and should be replaced based on manufactures requirements.
And if you are interested, look at this Visual Engine Inspection Checklist and you can see what the professionals look for when determining engine health.
Most of these things do not need to happen regularly and more so periodically or when the manufacturer recommends. Regardless, it is beneficial to be aware of the steps it takes to ensure a healthy engine that will hopefully last a very long time.
If your vehicle ever requires more than a basic engine check, contact Downtown Autobody- where they are trusted locally by friends and family and can help you with your paint or body repair needs.
