Cars and Checklists

There are some car maintenance tips that have been drilled into my brain for as long as I can remember. Some examples off the top of my head: always change your oil, check your coolant level, get a general service every year and check your tyre pressure.

Aside from the basics, I always rely on the car experts for anything else. I know my limits, and cars will always be one of life’s many mysteries to me. I am conscious of changes in my vehicle or signs of wear and tear, but I rely on my favourite mechanic near Moorabbin to identify and diagnose any issues.

The problem is that sometimes the basic maintenance tips aren’t enough. Despite having a checklist for my car, there were certain aspects of car ownership that I had no idea about. For example, how to know if your car air conditioning system needs to be regassed. If you notice weak airflow coming from your car air con or it takes a long time to cool down your car, it might be time. In fact, some manufacturers recommend that you should have a mechanic service and perform a car air con regas every couple of years.

The process, as I have learnt, involves evacuating the refrigerant gas from the system, checking for leakages and re-filling/pressurising the A/C. This can help identify any issues with the system and keep it working at its best. Gone are the days when I was sweating in the middle of summer while driving. Now, I can finally stay cool in the intense heat.

It was one of the maintenance tips that I had never been told. I am thankful for the experience because, at the end of the day, it made me realise something. Even if you believe you know everything you need to, you sometimes can’t rely on your learned knowledge. It’s important to keep improving and growing as a person and challenging yourself. So, go out there, and learn one new thing today. You’ll thank yourself later.