A few tips to make sure your engine is protected

The engine is the brain of your vehicle. It is the most important component by far, and can be one of the most expensive to fix over time if it breaks down. Therefore, you want to make sure you do everything you can to protect your engine, especially if you have owned your vehicle for a while.

Therefore, here are a few tips to help you protect your engine. A special thanks to the service department at Bruce GM Middleton for their help with this article.

The first step in protecting your engine is ensuring that you perform the required service at the specific intervals. This will ensure that your oil is changed when it needs to be, that your fluids including your brake fluid and transmission fluid, as well as your engine coolant, are all topped off. Servicing your vehicle also means that you are getting your air filter replaced, and at the very minimum a regular visual inspection of the main engine components.

Then, you want to make sure you quickly address any warning lights, especially the check engine light, that may come on when you are driving. Making sure that you fix any problems before they become too big is very important. You also want to check for leaks, for example by checking for oil stains in your driveway or odd smells, and have your engine checked quickly if they occur.

Finally, avoid pushing your engine unnecessarily when driving, for example by keeping a lower gear for extended periods of time. Also, fill up before your gas tank gets too low. Over time, sediments can accumulate at the bottom of the gas tank and if you run with your tank on empty, you are fueling it with the sludge from the bottom of the tank.