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Most of us are drivers. Cars have become an integral part of our lives. In the 21st century, hardly anyone can imagine life without a car. Vehicles allow us to move quickly and conveniently. Today they are so common and cheap that almost everyone can afford them. The times when only a few could afford a car are gone forever.
You don’t need to be a mechanic to use your car on a daily basis, but there are things to keep in mind when using your car. Some will make your life easier, others will save you money.
1.Which side is the fuel filler on?
Have you ever driven to a gas station and wondered which side is the fuel filler on? It usually depends on the car manufacturer. Typically, European brands have a fuel cap on the right, and Japanese and Korean brands on the left. However, this is not necessarily the case. This information is usually in the cockpit. There is a small arrow next to the fuel gauge that tells you which side the fuel filler is on.
2. How often should the oil be changed?
Taking care of your car’s engine is one of the key things. The more you care for it, the longer it will last. And yet the engine is the heart of the car. One of the basic maintenance things is to change your engine oil and oil filter regularly. There are many types of oil, not all of them are suitable for your particular car. Typically, information about previously spilled oil is on a label in the engine compartment. It is worth remembering not to mix different oils with each other. There are a lot of maintenance articles & guides on the internet about which oils can and cannot be used. Today, manufacturers recommend an oil change every 20,000-30,000 km. However, engines today are much more complex, have more power and less oil capacity. It can be said that the engines are more loaded than the cars of the 20th century. We should change the oil every 10,000-15,000 km. However, it all depends on the model and the conditions in which we use the car. If the car primarily drives on motorways, this time may be longer. If the car is used for work such as pizza delivery or shipping, the oil should be changed more often.
3. If something doesn’t work, do I have to go to a mechanic right away?
Today’s cars have many electronic systems that make our lives easier. However, sometimes they don’t work. It happens that a failure of the cooling or ignition system can prevent the car from going anywhere. Fuses are responsible for protecting the electrical systems. Uncontrolled voltage surge can damage the entire system. The circuit equipped with a fuse is protected. The fuse will blow, but the entire electrical system will work. The repair is limited just to replacing the fuse. If an electrical system does not work, check the fuse responsible for it first. Fuse box location and diagram for a specific car can be found either in car manuals or websites like motogurumag.com. Usually, the fuse box is located in the engine compartment, dashboard or trunk.
4. Check the condition of the tires
Tires directly affect the safety of the driver and passengers. The use of worn tires is dangerous and may lead to an accident. To avoid the risk, you should regularly check the condition of the tires in your car. There are small raised lumps called TWI (Tread Wear Indicators) between the grooves. If the lump is in line with the groove, it is a sign that the tire needs to be replaced. We should also remember not to use old tires as they lose their properties. Tires older than 10 years must also be replaced.
Final words
There are many things every driver should know. Having a driving license is not enough. It’s worth reading, learning, and learning more about cars. There are many free online articles on the proper use of a car. Maintenance is the key for vitality of the car, but more importantly, to your safety.
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This content is brought to you by Tomasz Zagala.
Photo: Shutterstock
