Here at Bosch Auto Service NDM in Labrador & Biggera Waters, QLD, we understand the concerns you may have especially with the current economic situation; we are here to help our valued customers, great ways to cut back on spending and keep their vehicles running in good condition.
We provide Mechanical Services and Repairs, performing routine maintenance which can help promote your car’s overall health. But did you know that the way we drive can also have a direct effect on the lifespan of our vehicles? Here are some tips that we would like to share with you in order to modify your driving habits and ensure that your engine will last a lot longer time.
The first thing we would like to discuss is the “break-in-period”; this is the car’s first 1,609 kilometers (1,000 miles). It’s important to maintain the throttle in the lower RPM range, although changing your driving speed from time to time is also advisable. Our sources indicates that for best results, during the first 965.6 km to 1,127 km (600 to 700 miles), your speed should be around 120.7 km per hour (75 miles per hour) and it is advisable not to exceed 3,500 RPM the first 804.7 km (500 miles).
Remember that the new parts of your new engine needs breaking in and although it may seem like a hassle, taking good care of your car’s engine will mean that your engine will last longer with more mileage.
Being good to your car also means that you also need to let your car warm up properly before driving it. It takes more energy to start an engine when the weather is cold and much tougher when the temperature is freezing because the battery carries a lower charge, the oil is cold and thick and it’s harder for the gasoline to burn when it’s cold.
We advise that instead of letting the engine idle until the car warms which actually emits more hydrocarbon pollution, it is best to turn the engine on and wait about 30 to 60 minutes (at most) and around 5 minutes if the temperature is below zero, and then gently drive until it warms up without working it too hard. By doing so, you are not only doing good for the car’s catalytic converter but you are also doing your part in taking care of the environment.
Another factor to consider is the speed of your car, keeping your car speed as low as possible is a great way to cut back on wear and tear of your engine. The ideal speed for vehicles is around 80.5 to 88.5 KPH (50 to 55 miles per hour). Speeding forces your engines to work harder and forces other moving parts of your car to work at a higher optimal speed.
Our next tip is about shifting gears properly especially for cars with manual transmission. It’s important to be in the correct gear when driving to avoid excessive engine braking which can produce excessive wear on your car’s engine. We would like to recommend using the brakes when slowing down and then shift to a lower gear once you are at the proper speed; by doing so, you are putting less stress on the clutch and on the transmission parts.
Lastly, we would like to strongly advise driving with lighter loads. Cutting back on the weight you are carrying reduces the load on the engine especially when driving smaller cars, because it’s small engines will have a hard time towing heavy and big objects; unlike heavy-duty vehicles which has bigger powerful engines with lots of torque designed to tow and carry heavier things many times their weight and size. The lesser weigh you carry on your car, reduces the load on the car’s engines as well; plus it gives you better gas mileage.
Taking care of your car’s engine motor gives you benefits in improving your fuel consumption and help lessen the wear and tear of your car parts such as transmission and brakes.
What should you do now?
- If you want to have improved fuel consumption take care of your car engine
- And then drive with lighter loads.
- Want some help or ideas? Just contact us at Bosch Auto Service NDM now.
Quote
The car has become the carapace, the protective and aggressive shell, of urban and suburban man.
~ MARSHALL MCLUHAN