General Maintenance for Your Vehicle

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Inspect and Maintain Tires

You should have the basic knowledge to maintain your car’s tire pressure which can help to reduce wear on the tires. Find the recommended pressure, check the PSI, and inflate or deflate your tires.

A flat tire is truly dangerous to you and your vehicle. There are a lot of preventative steps to avoid a blowout, including rotating your tires every 5,000 to 10,000 miles & watching for tire replacement.

Change the Oil

Check the condition of the oil frequently and change it when needed. Oil is essential to keep the engine in a good condition. Check the oil once a month and change as per the car’s manual. 

You can change your oil yourself or take it to a service center. For doing it yourself, learn the necessary steps to drain the fluid, set the correct oil level, and dispose of old oil.

Know which type of motor oil is best for your car, no matter whether you change the oil yourself or take it to a service center. Consider three things — the oil viscosity, whether to use synthetic versus non-synthetic oil, and your car’s mileage.

Check the Fluids

There are several fluids that should be kept at the right level to run the car smoothly for a long time. So check the, 

  • Engine oil

  • Coolant

  • Power steering fluid

  • Brake fluid

  • Transmission fluid

A leak with any of these fluids can affect the life of your vehicle. If you spot a leak, identify the fluid by its color. This can help you and your mechanic determine where the leak is coming from. This will speed up the repair process.

Test the Lights

Headlights are safety lights for any vehicle. But a broken or burned-out bulb is a high risk for driving. Thoroughly inspect each bulb of your vehicle, if replacements or repair is needed do it immediately. Keep the lights bright always to avoid accidents, clean the lenses and replace bulbs as they start to dim.

Replace Windshield Wipers

If your wipers aren’t working don’t just ignore them. Damaged or worn-out blades will reduce visibility during heavy rain or a snowstorm. Inspect your wiper blades regularly and replace them when necessary to keep your vehicle safe.

Change your Engine Air Filter

A dirty engine air filter will allow dirt and debris into your car’s engine which, in turn, reduces its efficiency. Inspect your car’s air filter once a year and replace it as needed.

Have Your Brakes Checked

Brake pads also require regular inspection. While driving, listen for any brake noise and vibrating feel from the brake pedal. If yes, then change the brakes.

Check Belts and Hoses

If the belts and hoses are checked at every oil change it will help ensure that they’re in good condition and don’t need replacing. If the belt is in good shape then it can help your car run and may help you avoid a breakdown on the road. 

Review Your Car Insurance

Just like other checkups, review your car insurance. This will ensure your policy’s coverages, limits and deductibles are up-to-date. Maintaining your vehicle in a good shape will keep you safe.