Table of Contents
- 1. Clean The Engine’s Air Filter
- 2. What About Tire Pressure Or Tread Depth?
- 3. Parking, Brake, Turn Signals, And Headlights
- 4. Oil Filter
- 5. Don’t Forget To Rotate Tires
- 6. What About The Transmission Fluid?
- 7. What About The Coolant Fluid Exchange?
- 8. What About Spark Plugs?
- 9. Serpentine Belt
- 10. Rear Or Front Differential
- 11. Don’t Ignore The Windshield Wipers
- 12. Clean Your Vehicle
- Use These Car Maintenance Tips
Did you know most Americans don’t know basic vehicle care? If you want to learn how to look after car maintenance tasks, we can help.
In this guide, we’ll go over car maintenance tips to try.
Want to learn more? Keep reading.
1. Clean The Engine’s Air Filter
Your vehicle’s engine air filter will regulate the airflow inside your engine. It will also keep out particulates and debris. Make sure your air filter flows well.
Improve fuel efficiency, decrease emissions, and lengthen the lifespan of your engine.
You can do this at home by checking out your owner’s manual. Learn how often the engine air filter will need to get changed.
2. What About Tire Pressure Or Tread Depth?
Well-maintained tires are critical to a fuel-efficient and safe drive. Make sure you inspect your tires often.
Do this before a long trip or if you carry a heavy load. You should also make sure to check the pressure in your tires each month.
Inspect your spare tire as well. A tire pressure gauge will allow you to check the tire pressure. Check your owner’s manual. You will understand how much air pressure your tire will need.
3. Parking, Brake, Turn Signals, And Headlights
You want to make sure your lights still function correctly. The lights on your vehicle are easy to overlook.
Each month, turn on your headlights while you’re in a parked position. Make sure to check that both headlights still work.
Take a walk around your car, inspect the parking lights, and turn signals. Make sure a friend stands behind your vehicle while you use the brakes.
Avoid an accident or collision by maintaining your vehicle. Learn more here about common accidents in California.
4. Oil Filter
The oil in your car’s engine will serve different functions. The oil will lubricate your vehicle’s moving parts and act as a sealant against debris.
Your car oil will cool your engine, reduce wear and tear, and prevent engine corrosion.
Keep the oil clean, so your engine’s sound. Depending on your vehicle, you might need to change the oil filter more often compared to others.
Check the owner manual and determine how often you need to change the oil.
5. Don’t Forget To Rotate Tires
Did you know the tread wear patterns on your tires will vary between the back and front tires?
Sometimes, the side of the tread will also vary. Rotate your tires and extend their lifespan. You can balance the tread wear and help prevent vibration or noise issues.
6. What About The Transmission Fluid?
Transmission fluid is a lubricant. It will help keep the moving parts inside your transmission functioning properly.
No matter if you’re driving a manual or automatic vehicle, check the transmission fluid.
Change the transmission fluid, so you don’t have to pay for an expensive replacement.
7. What About The Coolant Fluid Exchange?
The radiator in your vehicle is critical to keep your vehicle’s engine cool. You want the engine to function well.
Your coolant system should get flushed often to remove contaminants that build up. Your radiator should also get filled to the right level.
Check your vehicle manual book to determine when the coolant should get exchanged.
8. What About Spark Plugs?
Spark plugs in your engine will ignite the air and gas mixture to power your vehicle. If spark plugs don’t function well, your engine could lose power. The engine won’t run at the optimal level.
Ask a professional to replace your faulty spark plugs.
9. Serpentine Belt
A serpentine belt is critical to keeping your vehicle running well. It powers the power steering pump, air conditioner compressor, and alternator.
Inspect the serpentine belt and make sure there aren’t cracks in the belt.
10. Rear Or Front Differential
Differentials are the devices that will split the torque from the engine. In rear or front-wheel drive vehicles, there’s only one differential. It sends power to the tires.
There is a rear and front differential in all-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicles. Sometimes, there’s a center differential.
The differentials should get lubricated often to make sure they function. Ask a professional to check and change the fluid when necessary.
11. Don’t Ignore The Windshield Wipers
You might need to replace the windshield wipers at least once a year. If the windshield wipers aren’t working well, you might need to replace them more often.
Install winter wiper blades to have the best performance in the winter months.
Pull the wipers away from your window, so ice doesn’t build up.
12. Clean Your Vehicle
You might think cleaning your car isn’t a maintenance tip. Yet, you should keep up with washing the exterior and interior of your vehicle. You want to make sure that debris doesn’t break down your paint job.
Make sure you clean your vehicle once a week. Keep a little garbage can or bag inside your car. This way, it’s easy to keep your vehicle free from litter.
Use These Car Maintenance Tips
We hope these car maintenance tips were helpful. Consider what your car owner’s manual says and what you need to do to keep your vehicle running in good shape.
If you need to change the oil more often, make sure you schedule an appointment. You want to lengthen the lifespan of your vehicle, so you can either sell it for a reasonable price or keep it for a long time.
Do you want to learn more about common car problems? Are you looking for more auto tips? Stick around and browse our various resources on the blog.
