Sitting high off the ground with 4WD capabilities, your SUV is the perfect passenger vehicle for your off-road travel. Despite the fact that its mechanical components are specially designed for rugged use, the vehicle requires routine maintenance to keep running smoothly. This is where routine vehicle maintenance comes in.
Routine vehicle maintenance refers to a range of manufacturer-recommended checks and tasks that should be performed at regular intervals of time or mileage to keep a vehicle in top working condition. As a part of these factory-recommended maintenance services, you'll be required to check the following engine fluids and change them if necessary.
Engine Oil
Your SUV's engine consists of several moving parts that rub against each other as the vehicle runs. To ensure the smooth sliding of these parts, an engine lubricant is required.
Engine oil is a petroleum-based product that is used for lubrication in automobile engines. Over time, it becomes dirty and loses its viscosity. This results in a loss of lubricating capacity. As a part of routine vehicle maintenance, be sure to check and change the engine oil if necessary. There are numerous ways to know you need an oil change.
Some common warning signs to watch out for include:
- Dark and dirty engine oil
- Excessive smoke coming from the vehicle's tailpipe
- Noisy engine operation
Timely oil changes can deliver many important benefits including:
- Minimizing wear and tear on your engine
- Preventing costly engine repair
- Improving the fuel economy of your vehicle
- Extending your vehicle's lifespan
Engine Coolant
Your vehicle's engine produces a lot of heat while it's running. Because of this, it needs a dedicated cooling system to keep it cool. A mixture of water and ethylene glycol, engine coolant is one of the components that make up your vehicle engine's cooling system.
The fluid acts as a medium for transferring the heat of the engine to the outside environment. Checking your coolant level regularly and ensuring you have enough of it will help to prevent engine overheating, which can cause major damage to your engine.
Like engine oil, coolant deteriorates over time, too. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to determine its health by looking at the color alone. For this reason, it's best to have your mechanic check the coolant condition. They'll use a device called a hydrometer to determine the acidity level of the coolant. A high concentration of acids means the coolant may no longer protect your engine from rust damage.
The best way to keep your SUV in top working condition is to keep up with its maintenance requirements. Timely engine oil and coolant checks will go a long way in keeping your engine healthy and prolonging the lifespan of the entire vehicle. For more information on SUV maintenance, contact the professionals at a local auto service shop like British 4x4.
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