In Saudi Arabia’s hot climate and dusty roads, routine maintenance becomes critical. Start with engine oil. It lubricates every moving part and prevents metal-on-metal friction that leads to overheating. Change it every 5000 to 10000 kilometers, based on your driving style and whether you’re using synthetic or mineral oil. Always replace the oil filter at the same time to ensure clean circulation.

Next, don’t ignore your air, fuel, and cabin filters. Dirty filters reduce airflow and cause inefficient combustion, which forces your engine to work harder than necessary. Especially during dust storms or long drives through desert areas, filter checks should be more frequent. Also, make sure to use the correct fuel grade. Using lower octane than what’s recommended by your carmaker can lead to engine knocking, which over time damages pistons and valves.

Finally, only refuel at trusted stations. Contaminated fuel (especially with water or debris) can harm fuel injectors, sensors, and lead to misfires that drastically shorten your engine’s life.

Yes, your driving behavior makes a major difference. Always let your car idle for 30 to 60 seconds before driving, especially on cold mornings. This allows oil to circulate properly and avoids dry starts. Avoid sudden acceleration or flooring the gas pedal when the engine is cold. This practice can cause rapid wear on internal parts.

Also, redlining the RPMs too often or speeding continuously on highways increases friction and heat in the combustion chambers, wearing down components faster. During long drives between cities like Riyadh and Jeddah, maintain steady speeds. In city traffic, if you're idling at long stoplights or stuck during rush hour, turn off the engine when safe to do so. Overheating from constant idling, especially with AC running, stresses your engine.

With high summer temperatures across the Kingdom, your cooling system works overtime. Always check coolant levels and top them up using the right formula recommended by your manufacturer. Coolant prevents overheating and corrosion inside the engine block. Flush and replace it every two years. Make sure the radiator is clean and the fan is functional. A malfunctioning thermostat or radiator cap can lead to overheating, which is one of the top causes of engine failure.

Equally important are spark plugs. They ignite the fuel air mixture in each cylinder. If they’re old, worn, or misfiring, the engine performance drops and fuel consumption increases. Replace copper plugs every 40000 kilometers, and iridium ones around 60000. Also inspect your battery, alternator, and ignition coils regularly, since electrical failures can lead to hard starts, misfires, and even engine shutdowns.

In short, smooth and consistent driving extends engine life more than any upgrade you can buy.