Auto Electrical Faults

How you maintain your car will greatly affect its overall lifespan and how well it runs while you own it. Rather than always waiting for a breakdown before you take the car to a mechanic or just changing the oil and thinking that no other routine maintenance is really needed, note a few steps you don't want to overlook to keep your car in tiptop shape at all times.

Flush the transmission

Transmission fluid doesn't burn away as does oil, so it should never need topping off like other fluids in the car. However, transmission fluid does need to be checked for corrosion and other debris, and to see if it's burned, overly thick or otherwise of poor quality. It's good to have the transmission fluid flushed, meaning drained and then cleaned away, and new fluid added whenever recommended by your car's manufacturer. This will ensure the transmission parts are always properly lubricated and that they stay cool while the car operates.

Wax the car

Most auto body paints are meant to be very shiny and will have a type of plastic added to them to keep them strong and looking good over the life of the car. However, while your car may not need a waxing to make the paint look good, this added layer of protection can keep the car from rusting. An exterior wax can also fill in small nicks and scratches so that they don't become bigger and cause the paint to start to chip away. Many car washes offer a wax service, which you can apply yourself or have done by a professional.

Clean the air conditioner

A car's air conditioner may eventually get dust and debris caught in the grill, along the condenser, along the fan, and in other such spots. The A/C may start to hold mildew if condensation builds up, which can actually cause the condenser to eventually fail, and this dust and debris can blow out the dashboard vents when you turn on the fan.

This is why it's good to have the entire air conditioning system cleaned by a mechanic or auto A/C specialist as needed, so that all this debris can be removed and any condensation can be drained. Your mechanic or A/C specialist can also check the refrigerant levels and note if the condenser and fan are in good repair, so you know the A/C won't fail on you during summer months. Check your car's owner's manual to see when the A/C may need this general maintenance, and be sure to follow their recommended schedule.