A car's heart lies in the engine. For the engine to last a long time, it needs to be properly maintained. Many motorists tend to view their engines with awe, having little knowledge of how this machine within the vehicle functions.

The good news is that you don't have to be an expert in engine design and function to properly maintain your car's engine. Here are a few basic tips that can help you keep your engine in good shape for a long time to come.

Regular Oil Changes

Most car service professionals will tell you that changing your engine oil keeps it well lubricated inside. Engines have lots of rotating and moving parts that tend to cause mechanical wear and tear. This is because of the friction that occurs when various components brush against each other.

It is important for these parts to be well lubricated on a regular basis. In addition, driving results in the degradation of engine oil, as it carbonizes under high temperatures. Carbon deposits or sludge transfer to the engine intake and accumulate on the valves. This might cause your engine light to turn on or bring about other driving issues.

Checking your oil levels at least once a month is a great way of maintaining your engine and avoiding such problems.

Warming Up Your Engine

When your car is cold, there is no free flow of engine oil around the engine bay. This is because oil thickens and begins to solidify in cold temperatures. Moving parts in the engine are at risk of wear and tear if the engine oil has not had time to thin out.

It is advisable to give the engine oil time to warm up by either letting the car engine run for a few minutes before driving, or waiting a few minutes before reaching full throttle.

Cooling System Check ups

Overheating engines are mostly brought about by the cooling system's inability to dissipate, absorb and transport heat. You should take your car in for regular logbook service so a technician can perform regular pressure checks on your cooling system.

Servicing will typically involve looking out for cooling system leaks in the radiator, water pump, cylinder heads and blocks.

Let Your Car Cool Down

It is advisable to leave your engine idle/running for a few minutes after driving for several kilometres. This is because engines produce a lot of heat while driving. If the heat is not allowed to dissipate, it may spread to the engine oil and cause it to boil. This may then lead to corrosion and the wearing out of engine parts.

By following the simple engine maintenance tips mentioned above, you can increase the longevity of your engine and reduce the need for costly repairs.