There is a good chance that you want your car to run forever, and you certainly want to make sure it is safe and comfortable when your family rides in it. To help you achieve that dream, there are a few steps you can take. From understanding the importance of oil changes and locking your car, to observing car safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, to taking advantage of petrol delivery apps, here’s how you (Dad) can keep your vehicle safe, clean and running.
1. Remember the little things.
When it comes to your vehicle, how you treat it on a daily basis is going to have a significant impact on its longevity – all of the little things add up. For this reason, you want to ensure that you are paying attention to any potential warning signs and committing to making small repairs when necessary to prevent minor issues from developing into greater problems.
While changing your air filter and your windshield wiper blades may seem like small, futile action steps, the truth is that these are inexpensive repairs that can help you protect your vehicle, your passengers, and yourself.
Similarly, regular car washes not only help your vehicle look great, but they also protect the body of your car and prevent rust from developing. A professional car wash may seem simple, but it can significantly help you extend the life of your vehicle.
2. Don’t let your fuel level drop too low.
When you are driving around and trying to stay on top of your day-to-day life, it can be easy to neglect your fuel level; however, it is crucial that you don’t let it drop too low as this is a surefire way of damaging your car. When your fuel tank is closer to empty than full, there is room inside it for condensation to form, which can cause internal issues. Visit Natrad ( a renowned car repairing company ) to check fluid levels.
It is not only condensation that is a potential issue, but also, dirt and rust will have space to gather in your tank. If this happens, these sediments will block your fuel filter, which can have adverse effects on the engine. In other words, you want to avoid all of these situations as they will likely require expensive repairs and can cause long-term damage to your car.
One of the best ways to keep your fuel tank full (no matter your daily schedule) is to download an app, such as CAFU, that offers petrol delivery in the UAE. With a service such as this one, you simply have to download the app, sign up and register your vehicle, and then you can easily schedule a petrol delivery at a time and a place that works for you. All you have to do is ensure that your car is parked outdoors, and then the expert delivery team will come and fill your car up.
This is a fantastic option for busy dads who want to maintain their fuel level. Plus, services like CAFU offer fuel at the same rate as your local petrol station, plus free delivery. Now, there is no excuse to let your fuel level drop below halfway!
3. Invest in regular oil changes.
To keep your car running efficiently throughout the long term, you need to ensure you are prioritising regular oil changes. These are vital in ensuring that your engine remains in excellent working condition and that your car can run smoothly and reliably. For this reason, you need to consider oil changes to be one of the essential maintenance procedures that you do for your vehicle.
An oil change helps to keep your engine lubricated as the oil provides the necessary layer of protection between the moving parts and stops heat from destroying the engine. Additionally, the oil works as a cleansing tool by removing any particles and dirt that build up while the vehicle is in operation.
What’s more, keeping your engine lubricated also reduces the amount of fuel your vehicle consumes. Therefore, prioritising regular oil changes also helps you to achieve better gas mileage, providing you with notable savings. And when your engine is functioning at its optimal level, you will find that it produces fewer exhaust emissions, making it more environment-friendly.
In other words: Dads, make sure you remember to change your oil.
4. Take steps to increase air circulation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial that you are allowing clean air to circulate throughout your vehicle as this will help to keep everyone safe. Keeping windows open as much as possible is the most effective way to decrease the risk of COVID-19 transmission while in the car – plus, everyone enjoys some fresh air.
Even if it is impractical to have the windows entirely down, just leaving them open a crack will assist in diluting the concentration of any virus particles that are around.
Whatever you do, try not to use your vehicle’s recirculated-air setting as this can quickly spread the disease throughout the car. If you have other passengers in your vehicle, make sure everyone is wearing a mask.
5. Keep it secure.
Whether or not you are concerned about car theft, it is still advisable to follow the necessary precautions to keep your vehicle secure. The most obvious way to do this is by always remembering to lock your car when you leave it. Avoid leaving it unlocked and unattended, even if you are only stepping away from it briefly.
Additionally, be cautious about where you park your vehicle and always try to position it in a well-lit and open area. If you have a garage at home, park it in there when it is not in use. No matter where you park your car, refrain from leaving anything valuable on display, as this will attract attention and tempt those who are passing by.
In most cases, common sense can help to keep your vehicle safe and secure.
Dads, what steps do you take to ensure that your car remains safe, clean and running? Are there any additional practices you observe that aren’t listed here? What do you find are the biggest challenges when maintaining your vehicle’s health? Let us know your thoughts and any additional insights in the comments below.
AUTHOR BIO
Antonio Al Asmar is the General Manager at CAFU, the UAE’s first fuel delivery application bringing value to cities and communities by making refuelling cars more accessible. CAFU is an “on-demand” contactless fuel delivery service that will fill up your vehicle with petrol or diesel while you’re at home, work, or play for the same price as the petrol station, with no delivery fees.