10 Car Maintenance Tips That Can Prevent Breakdowns
10 Car Maintenance Tips That Can Prevent Breakdowns
Posted on November 22, 2024
We know that car breakdowns and pricey repairs are every driver's nightmare… that’s why we’ve compiled this list of handy car maintenance tips to prevent it from happening.
Not only can car breakdowns lead to costly repairs and maintenance, but they can also be dangerous. Engine failure or a tire blowout can lead to accidents and collisions on the road and is unsafe for both yourself and others.
There were 530 fatal collisions and 24,635 personal injury collisions in Ontario in 2021. As the weather gets colder and roads get more hazardous this time of year, it’s important to make your vehicle as safe as possible to prevent any unexpected accidents or breakdowns.
Learn how to prevent car breakdowns with our ten car maintenance tips below.
Car Maintenance Tips #1: Oil Change
Engine oil is responsible for keeping the moving parts in your car’s engine lubricated and moving well. It’s important to change your oil regularly, as oil degrades over time and with heat created from friction.
We recommend getting an oil change every 5,000 - 10,000 kilometres depending on the make and model of your car.
Learn how to check your engine oil here.
#2 Top-Up Fluid Levels
Engine oil isn’t the only fluid under your car hood that you need to care about. It’s important to keep all fluids topped up and healthy to prevent a car breakdown.
Fluids can include:
- Brake fluid
- Coolant
- Transmission fluid
- Power steering fluid
- Windshield washer fluid
Car service technicians will check and refill fluids for you during regular service appointments, which is our next tip.
Car Maintenance Tips #3: Service Appointments
Taking your car in for regular maintenance is one of the best ways to prevent a vehicle breakdown! Service technicians can refill fluids, perform an oil change, check for broken parts, and ensure your car is running smoothly.
Whether you need repairs or a service check-up, our Service Centre has it covered. Our trained technicians undergo rigorous training to meet our requirements and will take excellent care of your vehicle. Book your service appointment for any make and model here.
#4 Check Your Battery
Car batteries can die or lose their effectiveness over time, especially in colder weather. While batteries usually last for 3-5 years, we recommend getting them checked at your next service appointment or looking for unusual battery signs like struggling to turn over.
Read more tell-tale signs of an aged or damaged battery here.
Car Maintenance Tips #5: Replace Worn-Out Parts
So, your car has been making funny noises, or the service technician informed you that repairs need to be made. Trust us, we know it can be tempting to hold off until it’s desperate or to save up some extra cash… but it can be detrimental to your vehicle to wait too long. We recommend getting damaged or worn-out parts replaced as soon as possible.
Holding off on important repairs can lead to loss of control of your vehicle, blown engines, or further damage to your car leading to even pricier repairs down the line.
You can explore genuine Nissan Canada Parts & Accessories here.
#6 Listen For Unusual Noises
Do you hear a grinding sound when your car changes gears? Or perhaps you feel a shuddering feeling and noise as you drive? Does your engine make weird, whiny noises or have a bad smell?
These unusual sounds and smells can be clues that your car needs repairs. As we said in Tip #5, we recommend replacing damaged or old parts as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
Car Maintenance Tips #7: Warning Lights
As you can keep an ear out for unusual noises, it’s also important to keep your eyes on the warning lights on your dashboard.
Tire pressure warning lights or engine lights can give you clues that something is wrong with your car. It could be as simple as a faulty oxygen sensor in an older vehicle or something more serious like a damaged transmission.
You can check on warning lights at home by using a code checker or take your vehicle to a mechanic for a diagnosis. Either way, always pay attention to a check engine light!
#8 Avoid Overloading Your Car
This one is straightforward: Don’t overload your car with too many extras and belongings. Each vehicle has a load capacity, and exceeding it can strain the suspension and brakes.
To find your vehicle’s load capacity, check your owner's manual.
Car Maintenance Tips #9: Emergency Kit
While we don’t want drivers to overload their vehicles, having an emergency kit on hand is important. Invest in the Nissan Emergency Road Kit to have peace of mind in case of a breakdown.
Nissan Emergency Road Kit
- Emergency Reflective Triangle
- Duct Tape
- Two Screwdrivers
- Battery Terminal Cleaner
- Compact Thermal Blanket
- Heavy Duty Cables
- Flashlight with Batteries & Hands-Free Stand
The contents of the Nissan Emergency Road Kit.
#10 Check Tire Pressure
Tire blowouts and worn-out tires are common causes of breakdowns. We recommend regularly checking tire tread, wear and pressure every two weeks during the winter.
Unsure how to check your tire pressure? Read: 5 Tips To Maintain Your Vehicle
Prevent Car Breakdowns With Our Car Maintenance Tips
Our Woodbine Nissan team is here to help you stay safe while driving this winter. Chat with our service technicians to learn more about maintaining your vehicle and preventing future breakdowns.
Book a service appointment or oil change here.
Read: Top 5 Spooky Car Service Issues