Automobiles are a necessity in today's world and car trouble is one of the worst things a person can go through. It's hectic, frustrating and very troubling. 
It is very important to take care of your car's engine unless you don't mind being stuck in the middle of the freeway at rush times. If you take care of the engine, which is like the brains of your car, it will last a long way, and you will have to spend less money on repairs or on replacing your car.


car engine maintenance

HOW TO KEEP YOUR CAR ENGINE HEALTHY AND RUNNING?
I will share some tips with you that have helped me, and impact your car's engine life immensely.

  • Change Engine Oil and Filter on time
Engine oil for car is as important as blood is for us, human beings. It's purpose is to lubricate all parts of the engine so they don't loose their efficiency and functionality over time. Every car owner knows about this point, but they act very lazily when it comes to changing it on time. It is absolutely crucial to change engine oil on time, and also make sure if your car has 100,000 + miles on it, only put heavy mileage engine oil in it. Don't compromise on oil because your car's engine is hugely dependent upon it.

  • Change Air Filter and Cabinet Air Filter 
Most car owners are familiar with air filter that's present under the hood right next to the engine, but most are unfamiliar with the cabinet air filter. As the name suggests this air filter is present under the glove compartment box for most of the cars, but with some cars it can also be found under the passenger's seat.
Change Air filter under the hood more often, but i would recommend you change the cabinet air filter once a year. It is important to change these two filters because as the name corresponds, they filter the air going into the car and the air coming out of the air conditioner which the driver and the passenger's in the car are inhaling. Moreover, air filter can affect your car's performance from mileage to its speed potential. 

  • Keep up with all the Engine Fluids
There is more to the engine than just the engine oil. Furthermore, there are multiple fluids that go in the car that contribute to its performance and life.

  1. Brake fluid (most new cars will indicate when the brake fluid is low, but if your car isn't equipped with all these fancy sensors that show indications, just note the level, and make sure its in the right range).
  2. Coolant level (make sure the coolant or the often called antifreeze is in the right range), and make sure your car engine doesn't heat up).
  3. Use washer fluid (don't use washing liquid present in your household, it could damage the paint on your car).

  • Check your spark plugs
Spark plugs are located under the bonnet either around the engine or close to the engine depending on whether its a V4 or a V6 engine.
how to check spark plugs
Measure the gap of the spark plugs, and see if its in the range from 0.28 to 0.6 inches. Anything out of this range means they need replacement. If it is too much work to check their diameter, it is recommended to replace spark plugs after every 14-15000 miles. 


Extra Tips

  1. Look for corrosion on the battery terminals, and wash it with water while the car is turned off. This isn't going to help with the maintenance of the engine, but it sure is an elemental part of the car. A healthy battery will provide proper power to the engine which could potentially help with preserving engine life.
  2. Keep your car covered in extreme weathers, and keep it clean.