There’s no way around it: owning a car is expensive. From gas to upkeep to insurance, car ownership costs add up quickly.
Luckily, you don’t have to resign yourself to shelling out every month just to keep your vehicle running. By learning about car maintenance, you can keep your car in good shape and avoid costly repairs. Sometimes few symptoms in the car are a sign of getting servicing or repair. If you are able to detect those issues in the early stage, then you can save your money. For example, if you are experiencing trouble in shifting to a higher gear or poor fuel economy then these are signs of a bad transmission control module. In this case, you must look for tcm automotive repair services that fix your gearbox properly.
If you’re not sure how to care for a car, keep reading. Whether you’re a maintenance expert or just getting started with your first car, the seven car maintenance tips below are easy to follow for every car owner.
1. Clean Your Windshield
For an extra easy way to get started with car maintenance, clean your windshield. You can use the washing fluid and tools provided at gas stations.
A clean windshield helps you see better and decreases the risk of an accident. It also removes debris that could cause scratches and chips.
2. Check Your Fluids
Several different kinds of fluids keep your car running well. These include brake fluid, oil, power steering fluid, and antifreeze. Check your fluid levels regularly to make sure that you’re not low or leaking.
You can purchase fluids and performance parts online so that you’re always stocked up.
3. Change The Oil
Regular oil changes keep your engine running smoothly. Different cars require oil changes at different intervals, but a good rule of thumb is one change every 5,000 miles.
4. Change Your Air Filter
Your car has two different air filters, one for the engine and one for the air inside your vehicle. The engine air filter keeps debris out of your engine. The cabin air filter keeps pollution and debris out of the air that you breathe while driving.
Air filters are easy to replace. It should take just 10 minutes to complete the job!
5. Keep Your Car Covered
Sun, rain, wind, and other forces of nature can have catastrophic effects on your car. To prevent faded paint, exterior damage, and rust, keep your car in a dry, covered place like a garage or a covered parking lot. If this isn’t possible, consider buying a car cover to put over your car when it is parked.
6. Check Your Spare
A spare tire is a must-have for every car owner. But your spare won’t do you any good if it’s not functional!
Make sure that your spare is inflated and check its tire pressure regularly. You can also buy a small portable air pump to use in case of an emergency.
7. Look Up Car Maintenance Tips
Every make and model of car has its own unique needs. You can learn more about the specific maintenance that your car needs by reading articles and online forums about your car. This is a great way to supplement general car maintenance tips.
On that note, you may want to look around for places where you can get reliable, high-performing car parts for your vehicle. You have to ensure that you can quickly find fully compatible parts when you need replacements. Investing in quality parts gives you the confidence that they will last a long time and won’t leave you hanging while you’re out on a drive. It also means that you won’t have to shell out more bucks changing parts that keep breaking down.
Keep Learning About Car Maintenance
Follow these car maintenance tips and your car will be trusty and reliable for years to come. Taking care of a car is easy when you know what you’re doing, and by performing simple maintenance checks yourself you can save a lot of money.
To learn more about cars, check out our website. We cover everything from trading in cars to car care tips to good driving habits.
