With great expectations comes certain maintenance requirements that need to be met to perform. For that reason, it’s helpful to know the basics required to maintain your European car efficiently so that it runs smoothly without any problems.

Watch that you don’t overheat the engine

Engines overheat for several reasons. First, if you push your car and drive it at high revs, there’s a good chance that it will run hotter. Another common reason is that your car doesn’t have enough coolant or water to cool down the engine while it runs. Finally, if your radiator or any other aspect of your car’s cooling system is damaged, the car might overheat. 

The key to preventing damage when your car starts overheating is to watch the temperature gauge. Should you notice it going up progressively, there may be a small issue that needs to be fixed like a lack of water or coolant. However, if the temperature spikes, then stop your car immediately and look for potential problems. 

Have your car serviced by a professional

Finally, when it comes to servicing your car, have it done by a professional mechanic or at the service centre of your car’s manufacturer. There are a few reasons for this. By taking your car to a certified repair centre or mechanic, you’ll have the assurance that the job will be done properly. 

In addition, they’ll have easier access to original parts and the necessary tools to efficiently run diagnostics on your European car so they can service and repair it properly. Avoid doing your own services if possible. If you have questions, get in touch with your local European car servicing centre for more information. 

Rotate your tyres

On average, tyres are designed to last cars between 50,000 to 80,000km, depending on the brand and tread quality. A key to ensuring that your tyres last longer is to inspect them regularly for signs of excessive or uneven wear or tear. When your wheels are unbalanced and out of alignment, it can often cause the car to sit more on one portion of the tyre. As a result, when you drive, that area on the tyre will wear down faster than the rest. 

One method people often use to enhance the longevity of their tyres is to rotate them. This allows the tyres to sit at different positions on the car with different amounts of force applied to them, limiting their wear and tear. 

Keep the transmission system well-maintained

Your car’s transmission system comprises the clutch, gearbox, drift shaft, universal joints, axles, wheels, and tyres. All of these components are essential to the performance and overall driveability of your vehicle. If one of them is damaged, it could impact the other parts it’s connected to and your driving experience as a whole. 

While the transmission system doesn’t need to be inspected as regularly as other aspects of the car, it’s important to keep an eye on it. Remember to check transmission fluid levels, brake fluid, brake disks, rubber bushings, and any other component of the transmission system that may present an issue. You can usually have these aspects checked when you take your car in for service. 

Don’t ignore dashboard warning lights

The worst mistake you can make with your European car is ignoring the dashboard’s warning lights. Nowadays, cars have warning lights for several different issues. For example, if the tyre pressure in your back left tyre is down, the car will inform you. However, some serious warning lights like the overheating light, the engine warning light, the fumigation warning light, or the oil light all indicate a more serious problem with your car that, if left, could pose a larger issue further down the line. 

Inspect moving parts regularly

European cars also have internal moving parts like the timing belt or cam belt, which rotates at extremely high speeds while your car is running. As a rule of thumb, the timing belt should be changed on a car roughly every 100,000km. The reason is because of a snapped timing belt’s impact on a running car when it snaps. 

If your timing belt snaps while your car is running, it could cause the pistons to misalign with the engine head as they pass through it. Because of the speed at which the pistons move, if this happens, the rings will most likely bend, resulting in the car’s cylinder head being replaced. 

Change the oil regularly

Never underestimate how essential oil is for any car. A regular oil change keeps moving parts well-lubricated and ensures that they don’t deteriorate too fast. Over time, oil can get thick and dirty, rendering it less effective—hence, it needs to be changed regularly. Typically, European cars need an oil change every 10,000 to 20,000km, depending on the brand. 

With wear and tear, your car can easily develop small leaks and, therefore, use more oil than usual. It’s pivotal for you to check your car’s oil level regularly. Every car will have a dipstick that plugs directly into your engine block. Pull this stick out, wipe it off with a tissue, and then dip it again to check your car’s oil level.

Final Thoughts

These tips will generally help you service most cars from Europe and other areas. However, some specifics relate specifically to European cars that you may need to know in order to service them well. We recommend taking your car to a professional with experience working on European cars to keep yours in pristine running condition.