Avoid Breakdowns With These Preventative Maintenance Tips

Car breakdowns are unexpected and can lead to long wait times from a local tow truck company. With preventative maintenance, you can minimize your chances of a vehicle breaking down on a road trip or trip to the store. Here Doug Yates Towing & Recovery discusses the tips to help keep you on the road. Learn more below!

Preventative Maintenance

Inspect YOUR TIRES

Proper tires are essential when it comes to your vehicle. Before you get on the road, think preventative maintenance: double-check the tread and tire pressure. Thin, worn down tires are more susceptible to punctures causing costly repairs. A simple penny test can determine that the tread on your tires are at least 1/8 inch thick. While you’re inspecting your tires, make sure to check for any other damage which may point to problems with wheel alignment or tire pressure. Under-inflated tires can cause a potential blowout because it puts more stress on the rubber. This leads to extensive stress and improper use. Use a tire gauge to regularly check that your tire pressure meets the recommendations in your owner’s manual. 

CHECK YOUR BATTERY

A simple preventative maintenance step to take is checking your battery. Check under your hood to see if your battery terminals are corroded. Corrosion can lead to poor electrical connections. This can be fixed easily. If there is corrosion build-up on the terminals, you can clean them with a little baking soda and a toothbrush. The baking soda neutralizes the battery acid and makes the corrosion come off easily. Regular inspections and preventative cleaning will leave you with working terminals and fully functional connections. PRO TIP: Coca-Cola. Coke can be used to clean car battery terminals; the slight acidity does not react, so you can pour it over the battery and let it wash away terminal corrosion.

Is Your Engine Overheating?

Regularly check under your hood and car to see if your coolant levels are low and if there is fluid on the ground. If you notice either of these signs you may have a coolant leak. Visually inspect the hoses that carry the coolant to the engine. When the car is not running and cooled down, check the hoses for any signs of damage. If you find that your coolant level is low, add some fluid to the appropriate levels.

CHECK YOUR OIL

Motor oil can damage any engine over time. Checking your oil levels regularly can help prevent a vehicle breakdown. It is as simple as pulling out your oil dipstick and visually inspecting the current level. If the oil level is low, schedule to have your motor oil changed as soon as possible. Buy some oil at a gas station or store and add it in if you need oil immediately. If you suspect you have a leak, get your car to a mechanic ASAP.

Make Sure FLUID LEVELS Are Good

Another preventative measure to take is to check the levels of your transmission fluid, brake fluid, power-steering, antifreeze and windshield wiper fluid. If levels are low, this could indicate leaks or other issues. As long as your fluids are topped off you should have a properly running vehicle.

Need A Tow?

Doug Yates Towing and Recovery is located in the city limits of Chattanooga, one of Tennessee’s most vibrant business communities. We offer 24/7 towing and recovery services for all motorists and vehicle types. Our team of tow truck technicians will help get your vehicle wherever it needs to be safely and securely. You can count on us for all your towing & recovery needs.