Having a car is a perk that conveniently eases your movement. However, it comes with a responsibility. In addition to paying monthly instalments, you also have to maintain your car to ensure that it works properly on the road.
This article will share five important things you need to do as a car owner.
Service your car regularly
As a car owner, you need to ensure your car is serviced regularly according to the service schedule.
Car service is crucial to enhance your car performance and keep the car components in good condition. Typically, your car needs to be serviced every three months or 5,000 km.
There are several things you need to check when sending your car for service:
- Engine oil and gear oil levels
- Air filter
- Condition of tyres
- Engine oil replacement
- Tyre pressure
- Headlight, signal light and brake light
- Air filter replacement
In addition to checking the above, your car also needs a major service. These are among the main things that need replacement during a major service:
- Spark plug
- Air coolant
- Gearbox fluid at every 20,000 km
- Brake pad
- Timing belt at every 60,000 km (depending on the car model)
- Alternator belt
If your car is under warranty, you are recommended to send it to a service centre for thorough maintenance service.
Wash your car
Do not neglect your car’s cleanliness. Make sure you wash your car once a week to make sure it is clean.
Regularly washing your car does not only work to clean your vehicle, but it is also essential to:
- Maintain the car paint from fading
- Prevent your car from becoming a nest of small insects such as cockroaches and ants
- Make your driving comfortable
- Provide comfort for passengers
You may wash your car at home or a nearby carwash centre. Usually, it will cost you between RM10 to RM20, depending on your car type.
In addition to cleaning the interior, you should also polish, wax and nano-coat your car to maintain the car paint.
Check the tyre pressure
Some people skip checking the tyre pressure until their tyres go flat.
You should always check the pressure even if your tyre is still new. Note that even a new tyre can deflate from time to time through contact with a curb or due to a sudden temperature change.
Remember that a well-maintained car tyre can reduce the risk of accidents and ensure your safety throughout the journey.
If your tyre pressure is below the recommended level, it will deform and become overheated.
Set up an emergency fund
Your car may experience an emergency, such as having blown tyres, depleted batteries or being involved in road accidents.
Therefore, we recommend setting up a car emergency fund to cover the damage cost in an urgent situation.
We advise you to save at least 5% of your salary for the emergency fund. It will save you from a financial burden if your vehicle needs repair.
Renew your insurance and roadtax
As a car owner, you must renew your car insurance and roadtax annually.
It is better to renew it two months before the expiry date. You can then immediately renew your roadtax after your insurance is renewed.
Nowadays, insurance renewal is not a difficult task. Many online platforms allow you to activate car insurance and roadtax quickly and easily.
One such example is Bjak, the biggest insurance comparison site in Malaysia. You can compare 15 leading insurance brands and renew your insurance on the platform. You can also renew your roadtax using the same platform. The roadtax renewal will be done immediately and delivered to your doorstep on the next working day.
Maintain your car properly
You are paying a fortune for your car.
Therefore, make sure you take good care of it. You will thank and save yourself from suffering losses in the future.
Bjak is one of Malaysia’s biggest insurance comparison websites, offering policies from over 10 brands. Get your free insurance quote from Bjak today!
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