It’s a well-known fact that maintaining your car can save you time and money in the long run. Every vehicle owner should do essential maintenance checkups to ensure they’re getting the most out of it. It can be easy to let your car maintenance slide over time. You may ignore the minor warning signs that your car is experiencing problems, thinking they will go away or won’t get worse. But, the little things can often develop into something worse in a few short days.
Are you wondering about preventative-maintenance tips for your car that can help you save money on future repair costs? Keeping your vehicle up to date with regular maintenance is the best way to ensure it will last for years, and routine maintenance helps prevent problems and can save you money in the long run. Here’s a list of car maintenance tips that could keep your car from breaking down and save you hundreds, even thousands, of dollars.
Car Maintenance Tips
Keep An Eye On Your Spare Tire
A spare tire can be handy if you get a flat on the road. If you don’t have one, check your tires regularly to ensure they’re correctly inflated. And if you have an older car, a spare tire might be a good investment.
Oil Changes
Oil changes are essential because they help prevent engine buildup and keep your car running smoothly. Make sure you change your oil according to manufacturer recommendations. You may also want to consider synthetic oil, which lasts longer than regular motor oil and doesn’t break down easily under high heat conditions.
Keep the Battery Clean
A dirty battery can lead to premature failure, so clean it every six months. If you don’t have time for the task, bring it to a local auto repair shop and have them do it for you.
The battery is one of the essential parts of your car since it provides the power to start it up and keep it running. However, if it’s dirty, this could cause issues with your car’s electrical system. To avoid this problem, clean off any dirt or debris around your battery before starting a long trip. If you notice that your headlights or other lights aren’t working correctly after driving for some time, this could indicate that you need to clean your battery.
Brake Pads
Brake pads are another essential part of your vehicle’s braking system. If they’re worn down too much or if there’s something wrong with them, you may experience problems such as grinding noises when applying the brakes or even complete brake failure. To avoid these problems, check your brake pads regularly and replace them when necessary.
Air Filter
Your air filter should be replaced every 15,000 miles or so. If you don’t replace it, it can cause poor fuel economy and even damage the engine. Replace or clean your air filter before each oil change, which should be done every three months or 3,000 miles.
Windshield Wipers
This one is pretty obvious, but ensure your windshield wipers are working correctly. Replacing worn-out wiper blades can help them last longer and make driving safer in rain or snow.
Tire Rotations
Tires are one of the essential parts of your vehicle. They’re what connects you to the road, so they need to be in good shape at all times. If you don’t rotate them regularly, they may wear unevenly, leading to blowouts and accidents.
Suspension System
The suspension system includes everything from the shocks and struts up front to the springs and stabilizer bars. All these parts are essential in keeping your wheels planted firmly on the road. If they’re not functioning correctly, it could mean significant problems down the road — like replacing one or more tires after an accident.
Coolant
The coolant keeps your engine from overheating by carrying heat away from internal engine parts and transferring it into the air stream, moving through radiator fins and tubes. If there isn’t enough coolant in your car’s engine, it will overheat quickly — which can cause significant damage if not addressed quickly enough!
Spark Plugs
Spark plugs are an essential part of any engine. They are responsible for igniting the fuel and air mixture that powers your car. If your spark plugs are dirty or worn out, there’s a chance that combustion will be incomplete and not produce as much power as it should. Spark plugs should be replaced every 30,000 miles or so.
Belts and Hoses
Belts and hoses can cause problems if they aren’t in good shape. The aforementioned keep your car’s engine running smoothly by transferring power from the crankshaft to other parts of the engine like the water pump and alternator. Hoses carry coolant through your vehicle to prevent overheating, so they must always be in good shape.
Emissions Inspection
Inspections are a necessity for cars in most states. They ensure that your vehicle is safe for the road and its emissions don’t pollute the air. Emissions testing is often part of the registration process.
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Following simple car maintenance tips can prevent costly repairs down the road. Not only that, but by providing regular maintenance to your vehicle, you will extend the car’s life. If you take the time to learn some easy car maintenance tips and consistently perform them, you’ll dramatically decrease your odds of needing a tow. Also, if your car breaks down, knowing these tips will help you quickly identify what’s wrong with your vehicle and minimize unnecessary out-of-pocket repair costs.
If you drive, you must prepare for a car breakdown’s eventuality. People do not realize that a simple breakdown can quickly become a significant repair bill and disrupt travel plans. Allowing your vehicle to go without routine maintenance such as fluid checks and tire pressure could mean paying for parts such as alternators, air condition compressors, and spark plugs just because they were not replaced when they should have been.
Contact Doug Yates Towing and Recovery for reliable and timely services when you need a towing service.