Owning a car has several perks. For instance, it can get you and your friends from one place to another while providing entertainment during the journey through music or podcasts. However, like any other machine, your vehicle requires periodic upkeep to work best. While it might seem easy, many make errors while performing maintenance, which worsens the automobile’s performance. Here are nine such common car maintenance mistakes to avoid at any cost.
Ignoring the check engine light
Many often overlook the check engine light because their car appears to be operating normally. However, it is a big mistake that could affect your vehicle’s health in the long term. The light is a clear indicator that something is wrong with the engine, and not addressing the issue may result in the vehicle breaking down in the middle of a trip. Furthermore, the more you wait, the worse the internal damage could get, costing you a significant amount to repair in the future.
Neglecting tire pressure
This is one of the most common car maintenance mistakes to avoid. Many drivers glance at their tires before entering the vehicle and assume they are inflated. However, a mere look cannot help you determine whether the tires have sufficient air. It is essential to check the pressure with a dedicated tool or use the car’s inbuilt sensor if available. This practice must be followed regularly, as tires can quickly lose pressure when running over potholes. Even the temperature outside could affect the pressure, causing a 1 to 2-lb loss for every ten-degree drop outside. Driving with low tire pressure could result in poor fuel efficiency and other problems.
Delaying oil changes
The engine oil keeps all engine components lubricated to minimize friction and damage. However, it breaks down with time, forming a sludge. Instead of cooling and lubricating the parts, the liquid could now damage them. So, ensure you change the oil on time to prevent the components from deteriorating. It usually requires replacement between 3,000 to 7,000 miles, but the exact figure can change based on the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Not accounting for other fluid inspections
Like engine oil, the other liquids in the vehicle also require inspection. These include brake fluid, engine coolant, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid. Vehicle manufacturers recommend all these liquids be inspected, replaced, or topped off based on their condition. Doing so helps avoid leaks and keeps the car functioning efficiently.
Forgetting to inspect the brakes
A squeaking noise coming from one of the brakes may require immediate inspection. It could be a sign that a part has worn out. Not addressing the issue could result in the brakes not working correctly, risking your safety when cruising down roads and highways. So, if you hear a squeak while stepping on the brakes or get other unusual feedback, get the vehicle inspected, repaired, or replaced immediately. Ignoring the problem is one of the riskiest car maintenance mistakes to avoid.
Maintaining a vehicle without professional inputs
Everyone wants to save money on vehicle maintenance. And it is true that many car owners can easily and safely change specific parts, such as the tires, without heading to the garage. However, other elements, like the sensors that regulate idle speed, fuel injectors, and spark plugs, may require an expert’s intervention. You may permanently damage these components trying to repair or fix them without proper knowledge. Any mistake may also void the warranty given by the manufacturer. So, it is best to hand your ride over to a professional, especially when dealing with more complex parts.
Using home glass cleaner on the rear windshield
If you own a car, you must perform even the tiniest of maintenance tasks, like cleaning the rear windshield, with great care. People often use home cleaners on this glass to save a few bucks. But doing so causes the gradual breakdown of the thin red lines in the rear windshield. These red lines are actually tiny wires designed to bring heat to the windshield to help with defrosting during winter. If damaged, you will eventually have to pay more to replace them, so stick to a window cleaner designed for automotive glass.
Not rotating the tires
Tire rotation is one of the most simple maintenance requirements that most people overlook. Today, tires can go without replacements for up to 50,000 miles. However, they may not last long if you do not rotate them every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. Tires usually have varied patterns depending on their position in the car. Therefore, the frequent rotation could ensure they wear more evenly and last longer.
Using alternative spare parts
Many use alternative spare parts for maintenance as they are much cheaper than the original. Third-party spares people usually purchase spark plugs, filters, and other off-brand components advertised to fit a car’s make and model. While they may work, they might not perform as well and could also reduce the vehicle’s life. So, it is essential to use the right parts as indicated by your manufacturer. Using branded components during repairs will cost more but ensure you get the most out of your vehicle.
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Stunning earrings collections at the Diamond Studs sale
Read moreAs Elizabeth Taylor once said, ‘Big girls need big diamonds.’ That women love diamonds is no secret and no woman would ever say no to a beautiful pair of diamond studded earrings. Especially, when it comes as a gift from someone special. If you are a man who believes it is better to have a single flawed diamond than a sack of perfect pebbles, then there are classic diamond studs for you too. You can choose from black, brown, blue or yellow diamonds to suit your individual taste and masculine look from the grand variety offered by Diamond Studs.
This online American jewelry store sells certified and sparkling diamonds with which you can create the most dazzling pair of diamond stud earrings. You can design the perfect diamond jewelry you desire from the remarkable collections on offer at their diamond studs earrings sale. Choose from a variety of shapes: Round, Princess, Cushion, Asscher, Emerald, Hearts and Arrows, Marquise, Oval, and Pear. Order special handcrafted diamond studs that are custom made in the country, and sign up for newsletters to receive discount coupons and special savings promotions. Believing in making shopping simple and seamless for customers, and reducing their costs and passing on the savings to their customers, Diamond Studs provides the best value for money for every style of diamond studs that they sell. So choose to spend your money wisely at their diamond stud earrings sale where all jewelry purchases are shipped with a Certificate of Authenticity. Whether you choose to set your diamond stud earrings in the 4 prong basket, 3 prong basket, bezel or dangle setting in 14k White, Yellow or Rose, or 18k White or Yellow or in Platinum metal, you can pick the diamond quality and size according to your taste and budget.
Though the brand provides a free 30-day return and free exchange policy on their diamond and gemstone purchases, the company is confident and ensures that customers are happy with their selection of jewelry. It might sound unbelievable but one of the best features of purchasing beautiful diamond studs from this brand is their lifetime upgrade offer that lets customers exchange their jewelry to a product of greater value any time.
So enjoy a safe shopping experience with Diamond Studs that includes insured shipping too, along with many other happy and satisfied customers.
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Redefine Your Looks with Brand New Contact Lenses
Read moreEyes are the reflection of your thoughts. So why hide your beautiful eyes behind those clumsy glasses? Replace your glasses with brand new contact lenses and redefine your looks.
Why choose contact lenses over spectacles?
Contact lenses are thin lenses placed on the surface of the eyeballs to enhance one’s vision. There are many reasons which may compel you to switch from specs to contact lenses; some of them are stated below.
Reasons that may compel you to switch your focus to contact lenses:
– These are rather more effective than spectacles
– These are comfortable for drivers or sportspersons
– You may wear sunglasses or goggles along with contact lenses
– You need not carry another pair of therapeutic glasses along with you
– Contact lenses don’t collect moisture from the air on their surface; therefore, you need not clean them every now and then
– Contact lenses help treat certain eye problems like keratoconus and aniseikonia more effectivelyClassification of contact lenses
Contact lenses are classified into different categories according to their usage, material that they are made up of, durability and replacement. The types of lenses according to usage have been listed below:
Vision corrective contact lenses
The vision-oriented lenses are carved to correct the refractive error. The lenses are designed differently to correct different types of vision disabilities. For example, spherical lenses treat myopia and hypermetropia, toric lenses treat astigmatism, varifocal lenses treat presbyopia etc.
Bifocal lenses
These lenses have multiple focal points and are apt to treat presbyopia. Hence, you need not carry two different pairs of glasses to treat near and far vision disability
Monovision lenses
These are single-vision contact lenses which are used as a treatment for eye disability. If one of your eyes possesses vision disability and the other one functions well, you may use these lenses. You may also use them in case one of your eyes possesses distance vision disability and the other one possesses near vision disability.
These lenses are carved with different focal lengths according to your eye, to deal effectively with your eyes.X-Chrom lenses
These lenses are designed to treat color blindness. Though not much effective, these lenses help people suffering from color blindness in differentiating between the colors. These lenses are also effective for those suffering from night blindness.
When differentiating on the basis of material, there are basically 3 types of lenses, viz.Hard lenses
These lenses were earlier made out of plexiglass and were harmful as they didn’t allow oxygen passage to the cornea, leading to several other eye diseases. Later the lenses material was modified into rigid gas permeable lenses.
Soft lenses
Made up of water containing plastic material, these lenses are easy to wear and remove. They adjust easily in your eyes and even allow oxygen passage.
Hybrid lenses
These are not very common and have recently been manufactured. It comprises of a rigid lens on the surface of a soft lens. This gives you the comfort of the soft lens and benefits of the rigid lens.
Different lenses on the basis of durability and replacement
Highly durable lenses can be used for a longer period while less-durable lenses must not be used for longer time. Some lenses allow continuous wearing and can be worn for even a month. Others allow extended wearing and need to be removed every night before sleeping. These lenses are cleaned using a special type of solution and are kept in a lens case.
The lenses must also be replaced after a certain time, to avoid eye problems or eye infections. The daily disposable lenses are for one-time use and must be disposed of after one use. Weekly disposable lenses must be disposed of every week. In the same way, the monthly disposable and quarterly disposable lenses must be disposed of every month. The non-disposable lenses can be used for a year or 1.5 years but not more than that.How to choose right contact lenses for yourself?
It is better to consult a good ophthalmologist before choosing any lens for yourself. In case, you are buying a lens just to enhance your style with different colored eye lenses, get the right size and shape of the lens. Focus on the quality of material and other important aspects so as to avoid any kind of damage to your eyes.