Engine maintenance reduces risk of costly repair bills

Savvy vehicle owners know the best way to avoid this is to make regular trips to a service centre for maintenance — after all, prevention is better than cure.

The engine and the transmission are among the most expensive parts to repair on a vehicle.

One way to keep your engine happy is to change the oil and oil filter every 5,000 to 7,500 miles.

Motor oil cleans, protects and lubricates the engine. Without proper lubrication, the friction of the moving parts within the engine make it too hot to function and, after a while, damage the engine beyond repair.

Dirty

You should also change your oil regularly to ensure it can flow properly through the engine.

As oil gets old, it becomes thick and dirty, which can clog your oil filter or even the bottom of the oil tank, cutting off the much-needed supply to the engine.

Along with every oil change, check your fuel filter. This ensures the fuel going into your car’s engine is clean and free of rust, dirt and debris.

If the fuel filter is not functioning properly it increases the chances of the engine failing, jamming or clogging. The radiator is another one of the most important components of a vehicle as it is responsible for keeping your engine at a safe operating temperature.

If the vehicle overheats, it can cause your engine to stall and excessive heat can cause minor fires.

The radiator should always be topped with water and anti-freeze mixture and regularly inspected for leaks. To prevent premature transmission failure, check your transmission fluid every 3,000 miles.

It works much like the coolant that limits the effect of heat on the engine by keeping the temperature in the transmission from reaching damaging levels. Friction between the gears and other moving parts within the transmission is the biggest contributor to overheating.

The fluid lubricates the moving parts inside the unit, which cools the transmission.

Changing the transmission fluid at regular intervals ensures that it will remain at a consistency necessary for lubrication.

Over time, the fluid thins, making it less able to provide the lubrication necessary to protect the parts.

A properly functioning transmission also keeps the vehicle in the proper gear for the driving conditions.

If the transmission fails to change the gears, the engine will undergo undue stress as it strives to maintain speed in the wrong gear.

Expensive

A well-lubricated transmission also allows for smoother driving and better fuel efficiency.

This routine maintenance can be done fairly easily at an automotive service centre for a reasonable price.

Remember that by spending a little money up front and keeping your car well maintained, you will make less expensive trips to your mechanic in the long run.