For any vehicle, regular maintenance is always our top recommendation. The engine is the heart of your car, and when it’s not working correctly, it can mean being without a vehicle. Proper engine maintenance ensures your safety on the road and your freedom to drive altogether. At Master Muffler of Layton, we recommend routine maintenance to prevent engine issues. Here are five of our top tips to keep your engine healthy for years to come.
Tip #1: Keep It Clean
Without a functioning engine, you’re not getting all that far! Tip number one involves keeping your engine clean of debris, dust, and general grime. This is essential for optimal performance and longevity.
It’s no secret that engines are dirty places. They spew out oil, gas, and other chemicals that can quickly turn into build-up, which leads to corrosion and other issues. This can lead to costly repairs down the road, so it’s important to take care of your car.
Keep your engine clean by using car washes frequently. Not only does this help prevent debris build-up from occurring in the first place, but it also helps remove any dirt or grime that may be present on the outside of your vehicle. Another trick is to wipe down the outside of your engine compartment with a cloth once a week or so while washing the rest of your car. That will help keep everything clean enough until you rewash it!
Tip #2: Spark Plug Maintenance
To keep your engine in tiptop shape, it’s important to care for and clean the spark plugs. A Master Muffler mechanic will remove the plug lead, clean around it, move the spark plug as a whole, and use a specialized cleaner to remove any grime build-up. It’s a small job that can help keep your engine performing at its best.
Spark plugs are usually removed from their cylinders with a special wrench that fits into the plug’s hole. Once removed from its cylinder, they are cleaned thoroughly with an engine cleaning solution. The mechanic then moves the spark plug as a whole so that all four sides of it can be cleaned by hand in order to remove any dirt or carbon build-up.
Once cleaned and free of debris, our mechanics will reinstall your spark plug into its correct cylinder using an anti-seize compound on each side of the metal threads that allow for easier removal next time!
Tip #3: Keeping Your Engine Lubricated
Proper lubrication is vital for an engine to run. Improper lubrication can cause significant friction between numerous moving parts, with each piece being necessary for another part to function as it must. Friction can cause irreversible damage, resulting in parts of or the entire engine being replaced.
Lubricants help reduce friction by keeping parts from rubbing against one another. This helps decrease the heat generated by high friction levels and prevents excessive wear on the engine. If a vehicle has been overheating or having other problems with its cooling system, it may be time to check your lubricants and make sure they’re present and working as they should.
Tip #4: Routine Oil Changes
The engine in your car is a finely tuned machine that requires regular maintenance to keep it running at its best. One of the simplest things to keep your engine happy is to have your car’s oil changed routinely. How often should you go in for an oil change?
The frequency of changing your oil depends on the type of vehicle, how often it is driven and what kind of driving you do. For example, if you drive only occasionally or mainly short distances, you may only need to change the oil every twelve months. However, if you drive more frequently or do a lot of city driving, then it’s likely that you’ll need to change the oil more regularly (every six months or 10,000 miles).
Tip #5: The Annual Tune-Up
A working engine is a must, but it’s best not to overlook other parts of your car that might need maintenance! An annual or seasonal tune-up is the perfect chance to make sure all vital components of your vehicle are working together for the best performance on the road.
Give Us a Call!
Routine maintenance is always necessary to keep your vehicle on the road and in working condition. If you haven’t already, be sure to give us a call at Master Muffler of Layton so we can answer any questions you might have. We’re happy to help you with your car care needs and explain the maintenance process.
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