Without a functioning engine, your vehicle will be going nowhere fast. Taking some simple protective measures will help keep this central component running smoothly, and here’s what to do.

1) Regular Oil and Filter Changes

Oil provides essential lubrication for your vehicle’s moving parts, including the engine, reducing wear and tear and preventing overheating. But as the oil ages, it becomes thicker, dirtier, and less able to do its job. Keeping to the recommended oil and filter change schedule is the first and most important part of looking after your engine.

2) Monitor the Coolant System

Without effective cooling, the engine will soon overheat and either cut out temporarily or seize up disastrously. Keep an eye on the coolant levels and top them up if needed, and also book a service if your vehicle seems to be running at unusually high temperatures.

3) Check the Air and Fuel Filters

A smoothly running engine relies on a clean mix of fuel and air to burn. The air and fuel filters keep dust and debris out of this mixture, but they’ll eventually become too clogged up to work efficiently. Changing dirty filters is usually quick and easy but vital for reducing strain on the engine.

4) Belts and Hoses

Every so often, pop open the hood and look at the various plastic belts and hoses that are easily visible underneath. If any seem frayed or cracked, book a service to replace them before they fail completely. This is especially important after a cold winter, as substantial changes in temperature will speed up the natural wear and tear.

5) Keep Gas in the Tank

Never let your fuel tank get close to running dry. Even premium-grade fuel contains small levels of sediment and impurities, and these will tend to settle at the bottom of the tank as the kilometres go by. If you run your vehicle on near-empty, these concentrated impurities can overwhelm the fuel filter and seriously damage the engine itself.

6) Be Alert for Leaks

Occasionally check your garage floor or driveway for signs of leaks from under your vehicle. In most cases, any drips will be from the air conditioning or windshield washer reservoir and will take a minor and inexpensive fix. But if it’s something more serious like an oil or antifreeze leak, there could be trouble ahead for your engine. (Clean these spots up quickly to avoid your pets or other animals from ingesting toxic substances.)

Have a mechanic check out any leak, not only to protect your engine but also to rule out problems with the brakes, transmission, and other major systems.

7) Never Ignore Warning Lights

The various warning lights on your dash can come on for no apparent reason and then disappear just as suddenly. Never assume that a temporary light was just a glitch, as any intermittent fault could quickly become a permanent and expensive one if it’s not investigated.

8) Drive Smoothly

Lastly, reduce the stress on your engine by driving as calmly and evenly as you can, avoiding extremes of acceleration and braking where possible. Not only will this slow down engine wear, but it also will lower your costs at the gas station.

Schedule a Service to Check Your Engine’s Health

Even if you follow all these tips, an unsuspected engine fault could still develop into an expensive and possibly terminal failure. To avoid this, book a service appointment by clicking on the button below, and our expert technicians will check that your vehicle’s most essential component is in perfect health.

Please Note: The details of this article were accurate at the time it was written. Manufacturers may change the details of any vehicle’s specifications at any time without notice.