When you’re buying a vehicle, you should know basic car care practices. A vehicle is an investment that you want to keep in good condition. Take care of your car, and it will continue to take care of you.
Our team at Rath Auto Resources knows its way around a vehicle. Here are five basic car care tips everyone should know.
- Oil Changes
This one may seem like a no-brainer, but people still get it wrong all the time.
Regular oil changes can prolong your vehicle’s lifespan by years. Not much ruins an engine more than letting oil stay in the engine months after a change is due.
You can also be too careful about your oil changes. You’ve probably been told that you need to change your oil every 3,000 miles. In most cases, this is false. Save your money. Technology has advanced, and most car companies say you can wait as long as 10,000 miles to change your oil. Of course, you should still check your owner’s manual to see what your own vehicle calls for.
- Tire Pressure
Make a habit of checking your tire pressure. Low tire pressure can wear out your tires fast, while high tire pressure can be dangerous when you brake. At the very least, make a quick walk-around once a week to make sure you’re not running flat. Preferably, you’d use a tire gauge to check your tires’ PSI levels.
Don’t know what your PSI should be? Open your driver door and look down. Most models these days have a sticker where the door meets the body that tells you the recommended PSI for your tires.
- Monitor Your Brakes
Don’t ignore signs that your brakes may need replacing. If you hear irregular noises, feel any vibrations in the steering wheel, or smell anything funky when you apply the brakes, take your vehicle in for inspection.
Don’t put this one off. Driving around with bad brakes can put you in some pretty bad situations.
- Check Engine Light
Keep an eye out for your “check engine” light. It’s the little symbol in the shape of an engine and will show near your speedometer.
This light could mean many things, but most of the reasons that cause it to pop on are serious. When you see it, pull over and pop the hood. Be careful as you do so, in case your engine is overheating. Check your oil level. See if anything looks amiss. If you can’t find anything, it’s a good idea to take it to a repair shop to have professionals assess the situation.
- Replace Air Filters
A good rule of thumb is to change your air filter every six months. This is a basic task you can request when you get your oil changed.
Dirty air filters can cause your engines to get dirty. A dirty engine has to work harder to perform the same tasks and can lower efficiency, which costs you money at the pump and can cause engine problems.
You don’t have to be a mechanic to keep your car running smoothly. Anyone can learn how to perform these routine tasks and checkups. Stay safe out there!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikebabcock/5633253504/sizes/l
Image via Flickr by Mike Babcock
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