Understanding Your Car : What Is Perfect Car Care?

     The car has become one of the most important means of transport for humans. In today’s day and age, the car is not only a means of transport but has also become a necessity for millions across the world. It is estimated that there are over a billion cars in use all over the world. On average a car owner uses his car for a period of approx. 6-8 years. Owning a car is a very high involvement process and requires attention and care in order to use it to the best of its potential. The car is a machine and has over 30000 moving parts! A whole host of electrical, hydraulic and mechanical systems work in harmony to operate and effectively function the car we drive every day.

    In today’s world, we drive and use our cars in a variety of conditions (bad roads, extreme weather conditions, long and extended periods of driving, severe stop and go traffic conditions in metropolitan cities). This takes a toll on the car and causes stress, fatigue on the parts, systems of the car. Hence, in order to prevent fatigue, stress and to maximize the life of a car; it is very crucial that we take perfect care of our cars. There have been cases of many car owners who have used their cars for over a 500,000+ km over a period of 20+ years, this is a true testament to the importance of car care.

Perfect car care is nothing but carrying out and ensuring the following:

• The car should be maintained at regular and timely intervals. This also includes a regular car check-up every 6 months or every 5000 km completed. Referring to the maintenance schedule manual provided by the car manufacturer is a very good practice to follow.
• The car has many moving parts, oil and lubrication of these parts enable them to work optimally. Hence, it is important to keep the car parts such as the engine, gears, brakes, etc. well-oiled always.
• Driving the car in a safe manner to ensure the safety of both the car and its passengers.
• Replacing old and worn out parts at the correct time. While replacing these parts it is very important that genuine and car manufacturer-certified car parts are used.
• The brake, clutch, gear lever are car parts that are the most prone to wear and tear. They should be used with care and should be replaced, repaired at the first sign of any sort of them not working properly.
•  Warning signs (such as check engine light, ABS failure light, etc.) should not be taken for granted. Prompt action should be taken as and when these warning signs appear on the instrument cluster.
• Car tires should always be filled at the correct pressure. A car tyre not filled to the correct required pressure at any given time is a safety hazard and can lead to fatal accidents. Driving on a worn-out tyre compromise the grip and stability, this must be avoided at all costs.
• Ensuring all electrical and electronics of the car are working properly. Changing headlamps, bulbs at timely intervals.
• Usage of certified, genuine accessories, parts is extremely crucial and it is also important to get the maintenance, repair work done from a credible and reliable source.
• Adhering to all traffic rules and the rules of driving.
• Respecting the car, passengers, fellow drivers, passengers, surrounding cars, ones’ own self while driving the vehicle always 

There goes an old cliché! ‘Treat the car with respect and it shall certainly treat you well!’