How to Keep Your Car Safe and Secure

Cars, like many things in life, are an investment. You pay money to use a vehicle as your personal property, which helps you go about your daily business. Unfortunately, maintaining a vehicle involves a lot of expenses (both minor and major). We have put together some tips to help you take better care of your car and possibly avoid huge expenses later on. Here are a few tips on how to keep your car safe and secure.

Protecting Your Car From Breakdown

• Check your oil. Without oil, your car won’t go far or quietly. After a period of use, the oil will be dirty and no longer able to lubricate as well as the original. Because of this, regular oil changes are essential to keep your car running smoothly for longer without additional issues.
• Maintain your brakes. Your brakes are one of the most important components of your car. They’re designed to stop your car safely, every day and every time you drive. You should get them checked regularly (especially after long trips), so they will perform properly in an emergency. We suggest having your brakes checked at least once a year
• Learn your dashboard lights. If your car’s dashboard lights illuminate, don’t delay getting it to a mechanic. You can check your handy owner’s manual too, which will give you a breakdown of what certain lights mean. Some of these can be the first sign of a serious issue. Delaying a necessary repair can cause big trouble for expenses down the line.
• Check your tires regularly for repair. When your tire has been used for about 40,000km to 50,000km at most, it will start to show wear and tear. It is recommended that you replace the tire before the end of this period. If the tire is damaged internally before it reaches this limit, it may cause an accident due to insufficient safety.
• Protect your engine with coolant fluid. This coolant is designed to help you avoid changing the chemical components in your engine coolant. To maintain maximum protection and performance, we recommend that you flush the radiator and refill your vehicle’s coolant at least every two years or after every 40,000 miles.

Protecting Your Car From Theft

• Secure your car every time you leave. Keep your car safe and sound by double checking that doors, windows and seat belts are locked. Your car has a built-in alarm system to protect against robbery attempts, but you should still be vigilant when parking your car. If you leave most or all of your car doors unlocked, its alarm system will be rendered ineffective.
• Alarms and GPS can make a huge difference. A basic alarm is a great first step, but more advanced systems can also be installed to keep intruders at bay. GPS tracking systems allow you to monitor and track your vehicle’s location as well as receive alerts if alarms are set off or if someone tampers with it.
• Take your valuables with you. Don’t leave anything of value in your car, especially in plain sight. This includes smart phones, wallets, purses or any expensive clothing or jewelry. If you choose to leave them in your vehicle, make sure they are not visible from outside the car and lock all doors.
• Never leave your car running. No matter if you’re grabbing a quick coffee or running into the store, please don’t leave your car running. Allowing your car to warm up whilst unattended gives thieves an easy opportunity to steal it.

Here at C&G Atuo, we care about your car’s health. We know that knowing how to keep your car safe and secure is important, but you may have more questions or minor fixes. Contact us and/or check out more about how we can help you at C&G Auto and Truck.