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No matter how careful you are, you can’t control all road conditions. Bad driving habits, broken and unmaintained roads, deep puddles, and many other things that we don’t notice could all be causing damage to our car engines. 

Since the engine is one of the most important parts of the car, and also the most expensive,   general maintenance and upkeep is necessary to avoid serious problems. 

Checking and inspecting your car regularly will most likely help your car's engine to last longer and perform more efficiently. 

Here are some ways on how you can make your car engine more efficient and last longer:

1. Car Battery Maintenance

Never leave your car parked or unused for too long. Leaving your car unused can drain or cause the battery to deteriorate. You may want to use a trickle charger so that your battery maintains its health even if you are away for too long;  or ask someone to start or drive your car for you at least once a week especially during the colder months. 

Also, avoid jump-starting your car if the battery appears to go flat. Doing so may damage your battery management system and other connected parts. 

2. Keep Up With Filter Changes

Your car’s air and oil filter play an important role in ensuring clean fuel injection into the engine. They can become clogged over time, so changing them regularly is a must. 

Filter changes should be part of the service if you go to shops for car maintenance.. But if you want to save money, you can also clean or change your car’s air and oil filters yourself. 

You can always refer to your car’s handbook to ensure that you're cleaning or changing them correctly. 

3. Replenish With Fluids

Making sure that your car is topped up with the needed fluids is as necessary as keeping one's body hydrated. 

Check your engine oil once every 2 weeks. The oil level should be between the minimum and maximum markers. 

Also keep your gas engine or diesel engine and cooler reservoir in check. Consult your vehicle’s manual for the oil changes interval. 

4. Drive Smoothly

Practice "mechanical sympathy" when driving. This means that as you use your car's control or system, you need to understand how it operates best.

Simple things like using the pedals, gearbox and wheels more smoothly can sometimes make all the difference. 

You also need to avoid hitting the brakes all too suddenly. Engines, along with other delicate compartments in cars, may get damaged easily.

5. Get Frequent Tune-ups

Frequent tunings of the engine’s carburetors not only prevent sudden breakdowns, but they also save you money. It helps extend the life of a vehicle and helps ensure it is operating at its full performance potential. 

You may also want to check and change the spark plugs and check the cables, ignition wires, cap and rotor. 

By using some special injection cleaning solutions, the fuel injection system can also be tuned up to improve the vehicle's mileage. 

6. Maintain The Engine’s Cooling System

The cooling system prevents overheating by distributing your engine’s heat evenly throughout the system.  

It contains different parts, such as the radiator, thermostat, water pump and coolant. These should all be checked to keep your car running smoothly and safely. A failing cooling system can lead to costly auto repairs.

7. Don't Ignore The Warning Lights

This may be self-explanatory and simple, but is being ignored most of the time - Warning Lights. 

Anytime you see a warning light come up on the dash, you may want to get it checked. If the check engine light comes on, you can go to auto shops that offer a free scan so you can find out more information. 

Make sure to read your warning light indicator guide and brush up on each warning symbol and what they mean.

8. Look And Listen For Damaged Belts

Listen for squealing sounds from the engine or screeching noises under the hood when you drive. These sounds likely mean one or more belts are worn, loose or damaged. 

Belts run a lot of the components under your hood, from the air conditioner to the power steering. Since they’re often made of rubber, they can wear down or dry out over time.  

If you think the belt needs replacement, get assistance from a professional. 

9. Check For Leaks

Make sure to look under the hood and underneath the car every now and then to make sure your car isn’t leaking.

There are lots of important fluids in your car so any damage like cracked hose, hole in your radiator, worn brake pads, or blown head gasket can cause leaks. 

If you notice or suspect any leaks, you should get the car checked right away. A minor leak can turn to a bigger problem if left unchecked. 

10. Don’t Rev Up Unnecessarily

Revving up your engine is definitely tempting, but there are serious consequences to over-revving your engine. It could put not just the engine at risk but also some other parts like clutch and flywheel. 

Keeping the RPMs consistent and not over accelerating can help keep your engine running better for longer. It will also help you save a lot of gas. 

Conclusion 

Keeping your engine well-maintained improves gas mileage and efficiency, prevents engine damage, and helps you get the most out of your vehicle. 

A little maintenance every now and then will save you a lot of headache and money in the long run.