Maintenance Solutions For Private And Commercial Vehicles
Whether you drive a private vehicle, a commercial vehicle, or both, maintaining your vehicle’s engine is crucial. But how do you ensure that the engine on your private or commercial vehicle continues to run smoothly? Commercial vehicles – such as liquid bulk transport vehicles – rely on well-maintained engines. Without a working engine, liquid bulk transport deliveries will simply not get made. This also highlights the importance of engine maintenance. The tips below will help your engine run smoothly for years.
Routine Oil Changes
When it comes to engine maintenance, routine oil changes are of the utmost importance. Oil is the lifeblood of your engine, and if it gets contaminated, your vehicle’s engine will perform sluggishly. Additionally, the lifespan of your engine will decrease if the oil is not changed regularly. In general, the oil should be changed every 3 to 5 months or ever 3,000 to 5,000 miles. In between oil changes, keep an eye on the oil levels in your vehicle’s engine, adding more if needed.
When you go in for an oil change, you may find that your transmission fluid needs to be changed as well. This process is separate from engine maintenance but is usually done at an oil changing service. Transmission fluid has a much longer shelf life than engine oil and needs to be changed less often. The downside is that a transmission fluid change is more expensive than an oil change: while the average oil change costs around $30, the average transmission fluid change costs around $100.
Fuel Additives
While you are getting your engine’s oil changed, your service technician may recommend a fuel additive to clean the catalytic converter. Investing in a good fuel additive is worthwhile. The catalytic converter converts your engine’s toxic exhaust into less toxic emissions. Over time, carbon buildup can damage your vehicle’s catalytic converter. Fuel additive catalytic converter is necessary for reducing this buildup. Fuel additives are not terribly expensive and can add years of life to your engine.
Replacing The Air Filter
Replacing your vehicle’s air filter is also an important part of engine maintenance. This is because an oil filter allows your engine to “breathe.” If your oil filter gets too clogged with dirt and debris, your engine is more likely to overheat. When your engine overheats, serious damage is almost certain to ensue. Many drivers choose to have their air filter replaced during an oil change. This is a simple and relatively affordable procedure.
Pay Attention To Your Gauges
Finally, one of the best things that you can do to ensure that your engine runs the way it should is to pay attention to the gauges/lights on your dashboard. Your vehicle will usually tell you when engine maintenance is required. If the check engine light comes on, take your car to a trusted mechanic as soon as possible. Waiting will only make your engine problems worse. If you treat it right, your vehicle’s engine will last for years.
