Loading ...How well a car is maintained is directly related to how well it stays safe. It is common knowledge that a well maintained vehicle will last much longer than a neglected automobile. Your car?s upkeep is far more important than most drivers often think. There are a few tasks that you must do that are absolutely mandatory in owning a healthy and safe vehicle. Though some other services are not as important, we?ve provided a list of recommended maintenance services which you should do for your car in order to keep it running well, looking great, and as safe as possible.
Engine Oil: Changing your engine oil on time is very important in keeping your car running and lasting. If you do not change your oil when needed, engine deterioration is guaranteed to occur. Also, if your oil level is too low, the same result may occur. For peak performance, change your oil every 3,000 miles or 3 months (whichever comes first). When changing your oil, you should also change your oil filter at the same time and every time the oil is changed. It is good to check your oil level every time you get gas.
How to check your oil:
Warm engine and turn it off.
Remove oil dipstick and wipe clean.
Insert dipstick back into engine completely and pull it out again.
Add oil if necessary (very important not to let it run low).
Coolant and Water Levels
Another very important service is checking your coolant levels. Whether your vehicle requires a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze or just water alone, you must keep fluid levels filled completely at all times. Look in your user?s manual as to what kind of coolant your car requires. Check fluid levels about every two weeks. Failure to do so will result in overheating and/or seizing of the engine if it gets too hot. You do not need to drain/change the entire coolant system more than once ever 30,000 miles. If you detect a coolant leak anywhere underneath the car, get it fixed right away so that your car does not overheat as a result.
WARNING: DO NOT open radiator cap while it is hot or even warm!! You are at risk of third degree burns if you check coolant levels while engine is still hot. The best time to check coolant levels is in the morning when your car hasn?t run for at least 5 or 6 hours.
Tire Pressure: Tire pressure affects performance, gas mileage, ride stiffness, safety, and much more. Check your tire pressure regularly for bugles, cute, lumps, or excessive/unusual tread wear. The maximum tire pressure will be printed on the outside of each tire. If you have two different tire brands on the same car, check each tire to see its maximum inflation pressure. You do not want to risk a blowout on the freeway or on any road by over-inflating your tires. If you find uneven or unusual tread wear, take your car to a licensed mechanic to check alignment, balancing or to find the cause of this problem. You should not keep driving on uneven tread wear. Keeping your vehicle with good wheel alignment and tire balancing will drastically lengthen the life of your tires; and your car?s safety!
Brakes: Safety and brakes go hand in hand. Properly working brakes can save your life. Your brakes should be checked every time your car is serviced. If you have not serviced your car in over 3,000 miles, you should take your car to a licensed service station for a brake check. If your brakes are squealing, your brake pedal catches low, or you feel sludgy brake response, do not wait to get a professional opinion right away. You can also check your brake fluid under the hood. Wipe the brake fluid reservoir lid clean and see if levels are correct. Add if needed but DO NOT overfill. Repeat once a month.
Shock Absorbers: Shock absorbers should always be replaced in pairs (either rear pair or front pair). Look underneath your car for oil leaks from your shock absorbers. You can check the life of your shocks by bouncing the vehicle up and down. You know your shocks are good if your car stops bouncing immediately when you step back.
Power Steering Fluid: It?s important to check your power steering fluid level once a month. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it clean. Replace dipstick and remove it again to see if fluid should be added. Inspect the power steering pump and its hoses for leaks. The last thing you want is for your power steering to go out on a sharp turn. Drivability and safety are the main concerns for performing this maintenance inspection.
Lights: One big safety factor that doesn?t require much maintenance is your lights. They must be properly focused on the road so that they are not pointed too high so that oncoming cars are inconvenienced/blinded and not too low so that you cannot see enough of the road ahead of you. Headlights usually stay properly focused once set. But you should randomly check to see if your headlights, brake lights, emergency flashers and turn signals are clean and working. Lights are obviously a very important safety feature to have while driving; especially at night. Drivers should keep spare bulbs and fuses in their cars just in case.
Fuses: Most modern vehicles use an integrated circuitry system which use fuses to keep the car safe from power-surging. You may be able to save yourself from a stranded situation with knowledge of how to check for blown fuses and change them out. It?s a relatively easy process and each car usually comes with spare fuses within the fuse box. Check your manual for the location of your car?s fuse box and for more instructions on how to change a blown fuse.
WARNING: Be sure to DISCONNECT your car battery before tampering with your vehicle?s fuse box!
Wiper Blades
Being able to see is the most important thing when it comes to driving. Stay safe and change your windshield wiper blades at least once a year. Make it a habit to inspect your wiper blades every time you clean your windshield. Do not wait for rubber blades to wear down or become brittle before replacing.
Further Safety Tips
- Check oil and coolant levels every two weeks.
- Only service your vehicle at ASE Certified service stations.
- Turn off your engine if you are expecting to wait.
- Adjust headlights to focus on the road.
- Check your air filter under the hood every month for excessive dirt.
- Drive with low beams on to not disrupt other drivers.
- Avoid riding the clutch pedal and release it completely while driving.
- Inspect engine belts and hoses monthly. Replace worn items promptly.
- Make sure all of your purchased spare parts are from genuine companies.
- Make an effort not to accelerate or brake too abruptly.
- Check often and maintain optimal tire pressure at all times.
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