7 important things to do on your car

An overview of 7 important mechanical maintenances: what to do and how often 

The best way to ensure that a vehicle lasts a long time and is reliable is to do preventive maintenance. By doing timely maintenance on your car, you can ensure that your vehicle will run smoothly for a long time, cost you less in the long run and won't cause you any unpleasant surprises.

In addition, a flawless maintenance history is definitely a plus in the used car market.

One of the easiest ways to maintain your car according to its specific recommendations is to look at the maintenance booklet. It's probably already in your glove compartment and will give you all the answers depending on your model. 

But as a general rule, keeping these 7 maintenance items in mind will help you increase the life of your vehicle. 

1. The brakes 

It's pretty clear that good brakes are essential to your safety and the safety of others on the road.

For this reason, it is recommended that you perform maintenance once a year (cleaning, checking the percentage of wear). 

You should also change the brake pads about every 30,000 km. This figure depends on your use, for example if you live or work in the city, because of the more frequent braking the brakes will generally wear out faster and will need to be changed before 30,000 km.

2. Liquids

When we talk about frequent maintenance, the first thing that comes to mind is often the motor oil and this is indeed very important. But other fluids should also be checked regularly:

• Engine oil (oil should be changed every 5,000 km or 3 months and the filter every 10,000 km or 1 year)
• Coolant (it is recommended that you check the level every 10,000 km and change it every 2 to 4 years. It prevents the engine from overheating as well as corrosion).
• Brake fluid (check every year and change when necessary)
• Transmission fluid (check and change every 50,000 km)
  

Have your mechanic check fluid levels annually to make sure they are at sufficient levels and not leaking. 

3. Steering and suspension 

Wheel alignment should be done every year or every 20,000 km. The suspension should also be checked regularly. Most importantly, listen for signs of trouble and fix problems before they become too serious.

4. Spark plugs and distribution kit 

If you plan to keep your car for a long time or if you are hesitating on buying a vehicle with more than 100,000 km on the odometer, the spark plugs and the timing kit are important maintenance items to check. 

Spark plugs should be checked every season to ensure proper combustion and fuel economy, but they should be replaced on average every 100,000 km.

The timing belt is also changed approximately every 100,000 km. This is a more expensive maintenance, but not to be neglected because a failing timing kit can lead to engine failure.

Between the maintenance at the mechanic's, there is also maintenance that you can do yourself. These 3 steps will make a difference and give you a head start on your car's preventive maintenance. 

5. The tires 

Make it a habit to take a quick look at your tires before you get into your vehicle. Walk around when you fill up and look for wear on all four tires. 

Uneven tire wear can be a sign of suspension or alignment problems. Tire wear is regulated, so it's very important that the groove depth be no thinner than 2/32". 

Also check the air pressure at least once a month. The required PSI varies by model and can be quickly found in the driver's manual or on the vehicle identification label on the driver's side door jamb.

6. Engine oil level 

Checking your oil level is an easy thing to do that makes a big difference. Check your oil every two weeks and before a long trip. Too little oil can cause serious engine problems, which is what you want to avoid at all costs to take care of your car.

7. Cleaning the car 

Washing your car is not only good for your morale, it's also good for its maintenance! It is recommended that you wash your car periodically, even in winter, because dirt, debris and salt are perfect conditions for rust to develop. 

Wash your car often and especially after a dirty trip to delay the onset of rust. If you know you should do it, but don't know where to start, check out our article on our favorite tips for washing your car like a pro.

If you keep all this in mind, you will keep your car for a long time and in great condition!