A car can become expensive if it needs constant maintenance, but knowing some simple ways you can take care of your car can prevent frequent mechanic visits.
Your vehicle puts up with a lot of abuse, but there are simple ways you can take care of your car without taking it to the mechanic all the time.
Don’t risk an unexpected breakdown while you’re out driving; take care of problems before they break something serious.
Look at the Tires
Your vehicle’s wheels are the cause of and solution to many of your car’s problems. Due to their constant contact with the road, it’s inevitable that they’ll sustain some type of damage, whether it’s hitting potholes, running over a nail, or just leaking air.
Always Check Your Tire Pressure
Make a mental note of how often you need to refill your tires; frequent air loss can be a sign of a small puncture or a problem with the sealing.
Regardless, keeping your tires filled at all times also serves a protective function; the less air the tires have, the more damage they take while driving. Underinflated tires can cause uneven wear and increase the likelihood of the rubber coming off the rim mid-drive.
Get Your Car Detailed
Cleaning your car has more of a practical function than simply making it look nice; it also protects the paint and metal from scratches and dents. Besides preventive benefits, allowing foreign substances to latch onto your car can degrade metal, ruin paint, and affect the overall performance of your vehicle in several ways, none of which are good.
Schedule Deep Cleanings
Whether you decide to do it yourself or hire a professional, you should always make sure your vehicle gets a deep and thorough cleaning. Inside and out, top to bottom, you need to get every inch clean of any harmful substances. Getting a professional to detail your car gives you access to cleaning solutions and wax that will act as a protective shield, preventing anything from attaching to your car.
Check the Fluids Regularly
Your car needs a number of different fluids to function, including motor oil, coolant, or brake fluid. Have a set schedule to check these fluids to ensure they are all at the ideal levels. Allowing any of these fluids to drop below the recommended amount risks internal damage to components and decreased safety while driving.
Never Neglect the Fluid Levels
One of the most common problems you’ll run into is a leak in the coolant system; without that fluid, your engine won’t be able to cool itself down. You’ll burn out your engine and potentially ruin it beyond repair. While that may be extreme, it is the unfortunate result of ignoring a leak in your coolant system. Additionally, if you fail to refill other fluids to the appropriate level, you will be left with different yet equally damaging results.
When in Doubt, Go to the Shop
It’s inevitable that you’ll need to take your car to the mechanic for a checkup. It’s something you need to do to preempt any growing issues with components. One of the simplest ways to take care of your car is to bring it in for a minor checkup to prevent any major repairs in the future.