When you choose a car the first thing you see is the bodywork and the lines or perhaps the practicality of the vehicle. That’s often all the incentive you need to make a decision. But, while a great-looking vehicle is nice to look at in your driveway, the secret to keeping it on the road is not in polishing the bodywork every weekend, it’s in looking after the engine.

It’s the engine that powers your vehicle and, if this breaks, you won’t have a car. In short, spare a little time to perform these 4 essential preventative maintenance steps and help to keep your motor running.

Regular Servicing

The most important tip you can receive is also the easiest. Your vehicle manufacturer will have a guide regarding when your car should be serviced, either in time periods or mileage.

All you have to do is note what these are and make sure the vehicle is serviced when it should be. This ensures the oil and filters are changed regularly and all the systems are checked over to ensure they are working properly.

You should note that you don’t need to wait as long as the guide says, if you prefer you can have the vehicle checked sooner. It will give you peace of mind.

Naturally, it is best to use a reputable garage, if you aren’t sure which one to use then it’s worth taking a look at Ethan’s Autos, you can check them out here.

Check Your Oil

The next step is to check your oil. Yes, many modern cars have a digital check function. But, that doesn’t stop you from opening the bonnet once a week and removing the dipstick. Clean it and put it back in before pulling it out to see the oil level.

If it drops regularly you have an issue that needs to be looked at. Doing this also allows you to see the color and consistency of the oil. Again, if it changes significantly, get a specialist to look at your vehicle.

Keep It Clean

Open the bonnet of your car and you’ll see the engine bay. When you are checking your oil spare a few moments to open the filter casings and check the filters are present and clean. You can replace them if necessary although this should also be done during the service.

It is also worth checking around the engine bay and the front of the vehicle. You’ll want to know if there is any debris attached to the car that could impede airflow and affect the performance of the vehicle.

Listen For Strange Noises

Your vehicle is actually very good at telling you when something is wrong. You should watch your dashboard to make sure no check lights come on. It is also a good idea to listen to your engine. You drive your car every day and are the person most likely to hear a change. Don’t ignore it, instead get it checked out and you may save your engine instead of blowing it up.