Maintenance For Your Foreign Car To Make It Last That Extra Mile

Just as you need to eat healthy, exercise, and drink plenty of water to maintain your body, so does your European car. Well, not exactly the same stuff, but the point is your European beauty needs some TLC to keep running smoothly. 

Keep reading to learn more about the maintenance routines that will make your European whip last that extra mile. 

1. Ensure fluids are on point

Your car’s fluids should always be fresh and optimum. Read the vehicle’s manual for pointers on the right amount and type of fluids your baby requires. Some of the juices to keep an eye on include:

• Brake fluid – brown to transparent yellow 
• Engine oil – light brown to black 
• Water – clear 
• Power steering fluid – brown, red, or clear 
• Transmission fluid – red or brown 
• Anti-freeze fluid or coolant – blue-green, pink, orange, or green 

Master the colors of these fluids to aid in identifying the cause of leakage, enabling swift foreign car maintenance or repair. 

Poor quality oil, minimal oil levels, or old oil will cause the engine components to degrade, leading to irreversible damage. Use the dipstick to verify that the car has the right amount of oil. 

2. Keep an eye on your tires 

Approximately 11,000 tire-related vehicle crashes occur annually, claiming at least 600 lives. Therefore, the tires should have the recommended pressure and be in optimal condition. 

Uneven pressure can cause you to lose control of the vehicle. Instead, use a tire pressure sensor or gauge to ensure the tires have even pressure; the same goes for the spare tires. Correct tire pressure will help align the car. 

Regularly monitor your tire pressure to control tire wear and boost fuel efficiency. In addition, you can minimize your foreign car maintenance appointments by rotating your tires. 

Due to the uneven load input on the rear and front of your car or truck, tires tend to wear at different rates. That is why you need to rotate them. Check the car or truck’s alignment as you rotate the tires. 

3. Inspect your brakes 

These are the most overlooked, but they are central to driver safety. Inspect the brakes regularly. Listen for any noises the brakes produce or feel for any vibrations or shuddering generated from the brake pedal as you drive. In case your car has worn-out brake pads, replace them instantly. 

4. Examine the hoses and belts 

During your foreign car maintenance routine, ensure that the hoses and belts are in great shape. 

Electrochemical degradation is the most common cause of hose failure but also the hardest to detect because it happens from the inside. When the engine cools down, squeeze the hoses. If they are mushy, they are ripe for replacement. It would help if you also inspected for bulges, nicks, and cracks. 

The critical belts to look out for are the timing and serpentine belts. If either break, the engine will overheat and stall. Inspect them for cracks and signs of glazing on the sides.

Reach out to Roggi’s Auto in Hartford, CT, for European Car Maintenance 

If you are in Hartford, CT, and your European whip needs servicing, you can’t go wrong settling for Roggi’s Auto. We have a team of expert mechanics who know the in-and-outs of European auto repair and car service.

We do repairs on all European cars and trucks and stock OEM auto parts under the same roof. Your vehicle is in the right hands as we will treat it the same way we treat all our clients—like family. So, the next time you are in Hartford, CT, and need foreign car maintenance or auto repair, call us at (860) 200-3480 or fill in our contact form.