You know that sinking feeling. The check engine light has just come on in your car, and you’re not sure what to do.
You could have prevented this with some simple car maintenance tips.
There’s a reason why the AAA boasts a membership of 60 million. Unfortunately, most people don’t know when to get help and end up waiting too long.
Let’s take a look at how to maintain your car and keep it safe and in top condition.
Car Maintenance Tips
There are a couple of simple and easy actions that you can do that will help to keep your car well maintained. Build yourself a basic car maintenance checklist, and you can’t go wrong.
Inspections
Most of the things you’ll learn about are simple checks that you can perform at home. Some are more complex and will require a specialist. Don’t worry, though; they’re all relatively low cost.
Check Your Fluids
Fluids are really what keeps your car functioning smoothly, so you should check them regularly. Almost all the fluids in your car are in a “closed system,” so if you notice that you’re using a lot of any of them, make a note and go to a mechanic as soon as you can.
The fluids to keep track of and check weekly are:
- Coolant
- Engine Oil
- Brake Fluid
- Transmission Fluid
- Power Steering Fluid
Check Your Tires
Your tires are what keep you safe on the road. They’re what stands between you and the road and should always be kept in excellent condition. Generally, they fall under the heading of daily car maintenance tips.
- Check your tire pressure.
- Check for broken or distorted rubber
- Check tread depth
You should also rotate your tires every 5-10,000 miles.
Lights
All the lights on your vehicle are important, but you should pay special attention to your headlights. They should be checked regularly and kept clean and clear.
You shouldn’t have any problems with your headlights, but you can check that:
- Bulbs are not cracked, dim or burnt-out
- Fuses have not blown
Windscreen Wipers
Don’t underestimate the importance of a good set of windscreen wipers. We’ve all been driving in heavy rain and know how bad visibility can get.
As soon as your windscreen wipers start to show signs of visible wear and tear or are leaving streaks and gaps on your windscreen, it’s time to replace them.
Visually inspect them to make sure they’re not cracked or damaged. If the rubber is pitted or stiff, it’s time to replace them.
Regular Tuning
Getting your car tuned regularly will keep it running in peak condition. If you search for “mechanic tune up near me” on Google, you’ll find a number of services and can easily see which is closest and the best for you.
If you spend some time with your mechanic, they’ll likely be more than happy to share some car engine maintenance tips with you as well. It’s always a great opportunity to learn more about your car.
Car Maintenance Isn’t Hard
Now that you’ve got your maintenance checklist and understand the importance of the car maintenance tips, your car should give you many years of great service.
Car maintenance doesn’t have to be hard. It can even be fun if you make it a task that you enjoy.
Check out the rest of our articles for more car maintenance advice!