Basic Car Maintenance Tips Every First-Time Car Owner Should Know

Updated Oct 15, 2023

Buying a car is a dream of every individual however, owning a car comes with a set of challenges. Maintaining a car is very important for the car to run smoothly without any operational disruption. This is where basic car maintenance tips for first-time owners will be helpful.

In India, we come across good, bad, and worst roads and maintaining the car in excellent condition is challenging. Chaotic and disorderly traffic adds to the agony of a car owner. Learning how to do some ‘do-it-yourself' car maintenance can be of great help and save you from spending huge amounts towards repair works.

Basic Car Maintenance Tips for First-Time Owners

First-time car owners may not be aware of the things that can hamper the performance of the car. Here are a few ‘basic car maintenance tips’ that first-time car owners must follow to keep the car in excellent condition.

1. Refer to the Car User Manual: This an essential guide that must be read to check what the car needs during maintenance. Many problems related to the car can be solved by referring to the user manual.

2. Keep the Engine Clean: The engine is a vital part of the car and problems with the engine will affect the functioning of the car. For maintaining the car engine’s efficiency, clean fuel must always be used. Also, the engine must be cleaned frequently to prevent leakage, dust, grease, or debris on the surface that can damage the engine.

3. Check Tire Pressure and Wheel Alignment: The pressure in the tyres must be regularly checked to make sure the tyres have the recommended amount of air. This will reduce faster wear and tear of the tires. A wheel alignment will allow optimal drivability, improve safety, increase the efficiency of fuel, increase the tyres' life, and reduce expensive repairs.

4. Check all Fluids: Apart from engine oil, there are other fluids in the car such as coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid, washer fluid, and AC coolant. Fluids must be always filled as per the markings. Changing fluids at regular intervals will keep the car in pristine condition.

5. Check/Replace Oil Filter/Air Filter: Oil filters must be checked regularly and replaced since dust and other pollutants can accumulate hindering the performance of the car. While driving in dusty conditions, dust accumulates on the air filter affecting the engine’s efficacy. Therefore, the air filter must be cleaned for the engine to function efficiently.

6. Check for Faulty Spark Plug: The car will start only when the spark plug is in working condition. A faulty spark plug will affect the engine’s functioning. Faulty spark plugs must be repaired immediately to improve the car’s life and driving experience.

7. Check Battery: It is necessary to clean the car battery frequently to extend its life. The battery terminals must be checked for any damage or rusting and must be cleaned frequently. If the car is not being used for a long time, ensure to run the car twice a week to keep the battery in running condition.

8. Check for Rattling Sounds: Never ignore any rattling sounds coming from the car’s chassis. Rattling sounds are an indication of a serious problem with the car and must be fixed at an early stage. This will save you from a big repair job.

9. Keep Car Interior and Exterior Clean: Wash your car at least once a week to protect the paint and keep the shine intact. Cleaning the interior will help in maintaining a dust-free and shiny interior.

Take Away

Cars can be expensive, however, simple things such as oil change or replacing a fuse only take a few minutes and can save you a lot of money. First-time car owners who have spent most of their savings in buying a car can follow the above basic maintenance tips to maintain the car in excellent condition. A well-maintained car delivers good performance and is fuel-efficient.