Tips to Keep Your Vehicle Running Smooth Longer!

Knowing how to maintain your car’s tire pressure can help reduce wear on the tires and helps ensure you’re getting good gas mileage. Checking your tire pressure includes finding the recommended pressure, checking the PSI, and inflating or deflating your tires accordingly.

Routinely checking and changing your car’s oil is essential to keeping its engine in running condition. Check your oil each month and change it as directed in the car’s owner’s manual.

You can change your oil yourself or take it to a service center. If you choose to do it yourself, learn the necessary steps to drain the fluid, set the correct oil level, and dispose of old oil, as well as the correct type of oil your vehicle takes.

There are several fluids that should be kept at the appropriate levels to help keep your car running properly. These are the main items that either you or your mechanic should be checking:

• Engine oil
• Coolant
• Power steering fluid
• Brake fluid
• Transmission fluid

A broken or burnt-out bulb is a safety hazard and might get you a ticket. Learn how to thoroughly inspect each bulb on your car. If a bulb is out, take your car to an expert to determine whether it’s the bulb or the fuse that needs replacing.

Headlights are key safety lights on your car. Consider taking a few extra steps to help keep them shining bright, such as cleaning the lenses and replacing bulbs as they start to dim.

If your wipers aren’t working like they used to it is likely they are damaged or worn out. Knowing how to inspect your wiper blades regularly and replace them when necessary is one way to help keep your car safe.

A dirty engine air filter can allow dirt and other particulates into your car’s engine and reduce its efficiency. Inspect your car’s air filter once a year and replace it as needed. Mahy cars on the market today also have a cabin filter, this is something that helps filter the air INSIDE your cabin. So make sure you are changing that as well, especially if you live in a place with smog or out in the country. This also keeps your cabin smelling fresh.

Don’t just take your car to the shop if you have a light pop on in your dash, routine maintenance, done by yourself or a repair shop is key to keeping your car going longer and even catching things that could be going bad and saving you a break down on the side of the road in the future.

Your car’s brake pads also require regular inspection. While driving, listen for any brake noise and pay attention to shuddering or vibrating from the brake pedal. If any concerns arise, consult a service center as soon as possible.

Your car is subjected to all sorts of elements, from road salt and ice melt in the winter to tree sap, sunshine, and bird droppings in the summer. Some of these hazards are not only unsightly but can cause damage to paint and the undercarriage.

Keeping your car clean may help prevent long-term damage. Find the car washing method that works for you and regularly wash your car.

Keeping your car’s belts and hoses in good shape can help keep your car running and may help you avoid a breakdown on the road. For example, if your serpentine belt breaks while you’re driving, it may cause many of your car’s systems to fail.

Having your belts and hoses checked at every oil change will help ensure that they’re in good condition and don’t need replacing.