3 Tips to Help Your Engine Last Longer

After buying a new car, you may want to protect your investment by ensuring timely repairs and regular servicing. If your engine were to develop any serious problems, you could end up spending a tidy sum on repairs.

Usually, your car will show signs of trouble if anything is wrong with the engine. Grinding, rattling, and knocking sounds can help you narrow down on the source of trouble. Thankfully, you can make use of these three tips to help keep your engine healthy longer and prevent serious car problems.

1. Change the Motor Oil Regularly

Your car's engine oil is essentially a lubricant. The oil prevents moving parts in your engine from grinding against each other. Without proper lubrication, these parts may get damaged from extensive engine wear and tear. Your engine could fail as a result.

Still, if you go too long without changing your motor oil, accumulated contaminants may affect the oil's effectiveness. The contaminants may grind up against key engine components and create intense friction inside the engine. Motor oil can also lose its viscous nature over time. After the oil thins out, it can’t do much to prevent friction buildup.

Check your oil levels regularly to make sure the oil content isn't too low. If you notice that the levels are lower than usual, schedule an appointment with your auto care expert for full engine service. During your visit, your auto expert can perform an oil refill and restore proper engine performance.

2. Replace Your Fuel Filters on Time

A fuel filter prevents rust and dirt particles from contaminating the fuel supply to your engine. Diesel engines may have two filters — one between the engine and the gas tank and the other between the fuel injector and the transfer pump. Diesel fuel can easily absorb moisture in the tank, hence the need for an additional filter.

If moisture and other fuel contaminants enter your engine, the following things may happen:

• The fuel injectors can malfunction.

• The engine may show a significant horsepower decline.

• The engine may stall.

Your auto service expert can advise on how often you'll need to replace your fuel filters. Remember to change both filters during your service if your car has a diesel engine. This strategy ensures that you get the most out of your filters for longer.

3. Clean Your Engine Professionally

Your car may cover long distances over rough terrain and other equally challenging conditions. In doing so, dust, dirt, and grime could end up settling on the various parts of your engine.

Accumulated debris under the hood could create problems for your car, including:

• Blocked filters. Dirt, insects, leaves, and twigs can enter the air and fuel filters and create clogs. You might experience a decline in fuel efficiency and filter lifespan.

• Overheating. The grease waste on the engine components may trap heat and affect your engine's ability to cool itself. Eventually, parts of your engine may begin to crack under the heat and create unexpected leaks.

• Rusting and corrosion. If you live in a particularly cold region, snow-repellent road salt can wear out your engine. The road salt may get into contact with the internal components and rub against them. Your engine could also start to rust internally as a result.

Your auto expert may recommend an engine cleaning schedule to clear out your engine's exterior. They can clean the interior parts of your engine to eliminate any dust or debris trapped in the more inaccessible parts.

If you want to learn more about how to care for your new vehicle, contact us at Windermere Sustainable Car Care today.