Tips on Engine Maintenance
- Always follow the recommended service schedule
- Always use only the recommended engine oil & coolant
- If you drive on dusty roads, keep cleaning the air filter regularly to unclog it
- Do keep a check on belts & hoses; inspect them for slag, cracks, leakages etc.
- Consult your technician before using any form of engine oil additives
- Always use the correct gear while driving, incorrect gear puts load on the engine
- Do not drive hard till the engine reaches an optimum temperature
- Do not use higher RPMs in a cold engine or immediately after start
Prevent Engine Over Heating
- Turn the engine off, open the hood and let it cool
- Do not attempt to open the radiator cap while the engine is hot, high pressure in the radiator may send a sudden gush of extremely hot fluid causing severe burns
- Check hoses and radiator for leakages, bends or bursts
- If required top up with fresh coolant
- At any time during driving if the gauge crosses or approaches the ‘hot’ mark, pull over and let your engine cool down before resuming your journey. If the issues persist, call a technician immediately
- Do keep a check that fan is in working order to keep your engine cool
Not All Auto Parts Are Created Equal
Many people don't realize the array of auto parts that are available to them until they find themselves inconvenienced by the need for a vehicle repair. When it comes to auto parts, you need the highest quality part available to return your faithful vehicle to top condition because part quality can vary greatly. With the busy schedules that most of us have, it is important to your family's safety to use parts that will solve the problem and last a long time. Buying the proper part is vital to returning your vehicle to top-notch condition.
When faced with a vehicle repair, you are almost immediately faced with a decision regarding which of the many available parts you should purchase: Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or Aftermarket. Many of us are confused as to what these descriptions mean, so let's take a closer look.
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts are made by the vehicle's manufacturer, whereas aftermarket parts are often produced by a different company than the vehicle manufacturer.
At first glance, it sounds very simple, but it gets more complicated on further inspection. The manufacturers who make vehicles today very often don't make many of the parts they use to assemble their vehicles.
Car makers buy many parts from a large network of vehicle component manufacturers who design and make car parts to meet the specifications of the car companies. This confuses our definitions above, since OEM parts, which most of us think are made by the car maker may, in fact, be made by a component manufacturer. The OEM parts may or may not be sold in packaging having the car maker's brand name and logo.
Aftermarket parts are a little simpler to explain.
The overall quality of aftermarket parts has improved dramatically in the past decade or so, and continues to improve.
According to Edmunds, the quality of today's aftermarket parts may be as good as, or better than, OEM parts. Focus groups found that branded aftermarket parts offer consistent quality and performance, but that generic aftermarket parts without a known brand name were very unpopular with professional auto technicians due to their unpredictable quality.
Regardless of the age of your vehicle, research the available aftermarket brands before making your decision.