Most of us don’t bother taking a look at the inner workings of our cars until we suspect something’s wrong. Unfortunately, it’s often too late to handle the issues by yourself and you’ll have to spend money on costly repairs. Checking out your car on a regular basis is vital to increasing its lifespan, preventing more serious issues, and ensuring it keeps running at 100% efficiency. The best guide to preventive maintenance is to follow your owner’s manual. Here are a few monthly car maintenance tips to get you started:
Check Your Tire Pressure
Tire pressure affects fuel consumption as well as comfort and handling. Under-inflated tires wear out much faster and contribute to poor gas mileage, while over-inflated tires increase your risk of a blowout. The recommended tire pressure for your car can be found on your owner’s manual. For an accurate reading check your tires when they are still cold. Some modern cars have built-in tire pressure monitoring systems, but there are also simple tools and gadgets that you can use to check your tire pressure. Maintaining proper tire pressure also ensures your safety since poorly inflated tires don’t stop as well as they should.
Check Engine Oil Levels
Engine oil lubricates all the moving parts in the engine. This prevents friction that could cause them to grind and tear themselves into dysfunction. Checking oil levels is as simple as inserting the oil dipstick all the way in and pulling it out to see the exact level of oil. To get an accurate reading, ensure the car is packed on level ground and the dipstick is wiped clean using a clean rag before use. As you check the oil levels, it’s also important to check the condition of the oil as well. Be sure to change the oil after every three months or after covering 3000 miles, whichever comes first. If you are a leasing a car, consider car lease deals that cover basic maintenance like an oil change.
Check Tire Tread
Tire treads help your tires to function in all weather conditions. Taking a look at them ensures functionality and your safety. You can assess the tread depth using the penny test or the quarter test. Some tire manufacturers have also integrated treat wear bars to eliminate the guesswork and help identify how much tread is remaining. If your car doesn’t come with these tread wear indicators, you can purchase a new set.
Check Air Filters
Frequent driving, especially in harsh conditions, will clog up your air filters far too quickly. Clogged filters can cause damage to your AC and allow unhealthy air in your car. To check air filters, remove them and hold them up to a strong light. If you can’t see light, then it’s time to change them. You can also clean out debris from your new filters using compressed air. Replacing clogged filters can help keep fuel consumption efficient and improve acceleration time.
Check Your Battery
A car battery powers all electrical systems, lights, and the starter motor that cranks up the engine. A dead car battery can be very frustrating. Be sure to check for frayed or broken cables that are attached to the terminals, clean off any collected dust or dirt, and most importantly, check the terminals for possible corrosion.
Wow, I never knew that fuel consumption can be influenced by the tire pressure. I just bought a luxury car for myself, because I think I deserve it. I’ve been through so many things in life, and this is one of the things where I can say “I made it.” That being said, I’ll make sure to take it to an excellent auto service in town that offers the best auto repairs.