Modern vehicles are built to last, but you need to do your part in helping them live out their entire lifespan. Proper preventive care enables you to do so without running up a fortune in repair costs, and you do your car a favor and extend its life.
Instead of giving into the foreboding feeling that sweeps over you after spotting oil patches on the garage floor, call a reputable auto repair shop in Salt Lake City. The presence of such spots on the floor is most disturbing not because of having to clean up but because of what it represents.
Your car has sprung a leak and is losing some of its precious, life-giving fluids. A spot of greenish or reddish oil patch points to a problem with the transmission, an issue that you can’t afford to ignore. To avoid running into such issues on the regular, take a few precautions.
Check how you drive
While regular wear and tear cause the pan to leak, your conduct on the road can be a contributing factor. Especially if you have a lead foot and the local authorities aren’t too keen on road maintenance. Driving over rough road patches can puncture the pan or knock the drain plugs/bolts loose.
Due to its location, the pan is susceptible to damage from rocks and other loose objects on the road. In most cases, the punctures are small and only noticeable after a car sits overnight. Speeding over rough road patches increases the likelihood of damaging these crucial parts of your vehicle.
Running over debris on the road at high speed can also puncture the transmission fluid lines causing the car to spring a leak. Rough driving is likely to saddle you with a high maintenance and repair tab.
Top up your fluids regularly
Since your car is a complex machine with lots of moving parts, friction is a sworn enemy out to run it to the ground. That’s why it’s imperative that you keep the fluids – all of them – well topped up. Fluids – from engine oil, transmission, radiator, power steering fluids keeps the components of these systems from grinding together.
Keeping them well-topped up makes the difference between lowering the running costs and having your car seizing and dying on you. Your vehicle has various gauges to warn you when some of these fluids are running low. Others have dipsticks to help you check and determine the levels.
You also need to drain and change some of these fluids at the manufacturer recommended intervals. As the fluids age and lubricate the parts, they undergo a series of color changes. For instance, the bright red or green color of the new transmission fluid gives way to an unsightly brown or black hue.
When that happens, make haste and replace the fluid
It’s rare for cars to seize up and die without giving you a series of warnings about the impending doom. It’s vital that you don’t ignore the warning signs or leave them until it’s too late. To do so only invites trouble in the form of an expensive repair tab.
Ignoring such signs not only leads the damage to compound but also reduces the lifespan of some costly parts. Having an expert inspect the car as soon as you spot a problem keeps the vehicle in excellent running condition. It also saves you a fortune in car running bills.