Its February and that means It’s the month of Love – although we do believe love should be shown constantly and not just in Feb.
Now whilst most people put in extra effort to show their affection and love for their special someone during this month, you should show some love to your other loyal partner, your good faithful Datsun.
Whether your Datsun is being used anywhere from once a month to every day, it is important to always give it that TLC that it requires.
The simplest of things will go a long way and keep one of your most valuable assets ready for its next run, so this month of love, don’t forget to give it the recognition it deserves, ensuring a safer, smoother and more relaxed drive for you.
Here are 10 simple yet very important tips for the maintenance of your Datsun:
- Remember to ensure that your battery is always charged, if your vehicle is used less than once a week, it is important to start the vehicle and let it idle for at least 15 – 20mins at least once a week, this will help keep your battery charged. Always move your vehicle into an open space or open the garage door when doing so. Never leave your vehicle unattended whilst it is idling.
- Never put off the necessary oil changes – ignoring an oil change can lead to serious engine damage and ultimately lead to complete engine failure! An oil change plays a part in the cleanliness and efficiency of your engine.
- Maintaining your Datsun health is also a vital aspect of the TLC, in order to do this, ensure that your vehicle is washed every couple of weeks. If you do not give your Datsun the care that it needs, it could result in a faded finish and you run the risk of damaged paint work and/or rusting.
- Tire pressure fluctuates whether your vehicle is in use or not – it is important to check your pressure regularly, at least bi-weekly, if you do not drive it often. The best time to check the pressure is first thing in the morning when they are cold or at least three hours after driving. Keeping the correct tyre pressure may allow for a longer life span of your tire as well as better handling and steering, a smoother ride altogether!
- To get the best out of your vehicle and avoid any damage the following fluids should always be kept at the correct levels:
- Engine oil
- Coolant
- Power steering fluid
- Transmission fluid
These liquids differ in color, if there is a leak, it would be easy to spot and speed up the repair process, remember to always pay attention to your vehicle.
- Ensure your lights are tested and working, a defective light is a safety hazard for you, your passengers and other motorists on the road, and could also result in a ticket.
- Make sure that your wipers are not worn out! Any damaged blades can cause severe issues, especially during heavy rainstorms. These should be checked regularly and replaced when needed.
- Change your air-filter. When you change your air-filter appropriately you can increase your fuel efficiency, and prolong the life of your engine, resulting in potential costs being cut and an increased lifespan for your engine.
- Change out your spark plugs – if you ever notice that you’re filling up more frequently, it may be a sign to replace your old spark plugs, when spark plugs wear out, you fuel consumption is increased. Other signs to look out for are when your check engine light comes on, as this may relate to old and damaged spark plugs is: A stalling vehicle as the spark plugs provides the spark needed and that your vehicle does not accelerate quickly, it is vital to pay attention to how your vehicle responds so you can pick up on any changes.
- Keep up with your insurance – apart from physical checkups for your motor vehicle, it is important to review your policies every now and again to ensure that it aligns with your current situation.
When it comes to your vehicle, it is highly important to pay attention to the finer details, always take notice of any noise changes, leaks and power changes. Never ignore what you may see or hear and always treat every issue seriously. Your vehicle is one of your most treasured assets that has the potential to last a long if taken care of correctly, and if you plan on selling in the future, this also helps keep the value of the vehicle up!
Never procrastinate when it comes to the maintenance if your vehicle, ensure your regular check-ups are done as required and if any issues arise, tend to them as soon as possible to ensure that you get the best out of your vehicle. For a bonus tip remember to always check the pressure of your spare tire, ensure all your tire valves have caps and replace any missing ones immediately.
To have your Datsun assessed and serviced, contact us at CMH Datsun Durban Today. We are located at 115 Monty Naicker Street in Durban. You can call us on 031 337 1251.
Routine maintenance checks are important because this increases the safety for you and those around you which includes your passengers that trust travelling with you and other motorists on the road. So remember to show your Datsun love always.