Tending Loving Care – TLC – is a term most people are familiar with. We usually talk about showing TLC to people or animals, but it also applies to cars and other vehicles.
Okay, there’s no need to sit down for a heart-to-heart with your car. It’s a mechanical object. However, cars and other vehicles do need to be taken care of. In a sense, they need to be cherished.
For cars, TLC means regular upkeep, servicing, and attention. Combined, these help it last longer, perform better, be more reliable, and save money. What’s not to like about that sentence?
There’s a generally accepted principle regarding TLC for cars: if you put the effort in now, you’ll save money further down the road. Keeping on top of the minor, trivial-looking faults means they don’t develop into big, costly problems like engine or transmission seizure or blown head gasket.
So, TLC for cars. What’s involved?
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TLC For Cars – Basic Maintenance
Many people readily fall into the habit of neglecting their cars. It’s an easy trap. We get up, head off to work, or take the kids to school. By the time we get home, we’re either exhausted or have twenty other things to do.
However, basic car maintenance should be higher up on the list of priorities. Everything’s fine until it isn’t, as they say.
These are several aspects of essential maintenance you can check – and perhaps work on – yourself.
Fluid Levels
Your car’s fluids are vital to keep on top of. The levels should be between the minimum and maximum marks. If any are low, top them up using the correct type of oil, coolant, etc. If you’re unsure, take the car to your mechanic and ask them to do it. It shouldn’t take them long.
Check these fluid levels with the vehicle on flat, level ground:
- Oil (using the dipstick)
- Transmission fluid
- Coolant
- Windscreen washer fluid
- Brake fluid
- Power steering fluid (if applicable)
Tire Wear And Condition
Use a simple tire pressure gauge to check the PSI within each tire.
They should be at the reading specified in the owner’s manual/car door frame – not the values on the tire itself. A quick glance should be enough to see if any are flat. Lean down under the car to do a basic check of the wear pattern.
If any of the tires are under or over-inflated (both cause significant problems), use an inflater to top the air up. You could go to a gas station and use the one they have there or invest in a 12-Volt in-car pump.
This will mean you’re ready for any potential problems with your tires, even if you’re in the middle of nowhere.
Look for smooth parts of the tire, particularly on either edge of the tread. This indicates that you need the wheel alignment adjusted. Noticing uneven wear early can save you big problems in the future.
Visible metal wires or low tread depth (consider investing in a tread depth gauge) are also a cause for concern.
Often, you’ll need a new tire to solve the problem.
Exterior Lights
Everyone knows about headlight or rear light problems other than you as the driver. The best way to check your lights is with a friend every few months.
Ask your friend to sit in the driver’s seat and turn the engine on. First, stand at the front, checking the following:
- Sidelights
- Headlights
- Full beam
- Fog light
- Turn signals/hazard lights (remember to check the wing mirror lights too)
In the rear, examine these lights.
- Sidelights
- Rear lights
- Fog light
- Brake lights
- Turn signals/hazard lights
If any don’t illuminate, you’ll probably need new bulbs.
Bounce Test
The bounce examination is a rapid suspension check. Stand over each wheel and push down firmly on a sturdy part of the car. Make sure you don’t break any plastic trim or body panels.
The suspension should make the car bounce back up and immediately resettle into position. If it starts bouncing up and down without stopping for a while, you have a problem.
Take your car to your local mechanic.
You might need new wishbones, springs, or shock absorbers.
How Does The Car Feel To Drive?
One of the top points of reference is how the car feels to drive. It’s your car, and you know it best. If something feels off, go with your gut and take it to an auto shop for a look-over.
You might sense the car being any of the following (and much more):
- “Sluggish” under acceleration
- “Spongey” brake pedal
- Strange noises (grinding, screeching, squealing, etc.)
- Lurching
- Veering to the left or the right
- Trouble stopping
- Heavy steering
- Electrical issues
Part of car TLC is detecting the problems early, so don’t be hesitant to take it in.
Car Servicing And TLC
Regular maintenance is exceedingly important and should not be underestimated, despite what some on the internet may suggest.
During a service, the mechanic will check your lights, fluid levels, and tires and change your oil and filter for you as standard. They’ll also inspect the brakes and exhaust.
You can usually also purchase optional extras/more in-depth services. These might include replacement air, cabin, fuel, and diesel particulate (if applicable) filters, tracking checks, and brake tests.
Car servicing is essential for TLC. It’s the nearest look at your car you can get – unless you have a four-post ramp at home, of course.
A mechanic has access to a whole range of expert equipment that isn’t worth your buying. This makes servicing a sensible investment.
Why Washing Your Car Is Important For TLC
Washing your car isn’t just a frivolous activity to show off your paintwork (although it can be that, too!).
It actually has some genuine TLC benefits for your vehicle.
Hand washing your car is much better than taking it to an automatic car wash. By their very nature, these will scratch your paintwork – no matter how many “scratch-free guarantees” the company claims to have – and cost ten times as much.
Although washing your car by hand takes longer, it’s much better TLC. Take your time and use a car wash that includes wax. The dirt-free paint, combined with the protective layer of wax, provides significant protection from rust and other damage.
It’s also important to clean your car’s interior. Your vehicle’s cabin picks up a lot of grime surprisingly quickly. You’re probably breathing in more and more every time you get in. Use a shop vac (or just your regular one) to clean it out. This means that TLC for your car is TLC for you too.
What Good Car TLC Means Back For You
If you look after your car with superb TLC, it’ll look after you. Invest in preventing the problems rather than solving them once they happen. This is much more cost-effective in the long run.
Of course, some things are unavoidable. You might take your new car for its first service and crash it on the way home. Unfortunately, that’s just bad luck. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t plan on keeping every vehicle you own for a prolonged time.
Good car TLC also means it’ll have a higher resale value. If you can show that the vehicle is in superb condition and has had regular servicing from an approved dealer, it’ll be more desirable to buyers.
Thus, its value increases.
Keep on top of regular maintenance and TLC by setting reminders to check your car. Once per month should be enough.
Good TLC means long-lasting health and financial viability for both you and your car.
