It is estimated the automotive repair and maintenance services industry will surpass $950 billion by 2028. This goes to show just how much people are spending on repairing their cars, but when it comes to car maintenance, what are the key things you should be doing?
Car maintenance can often sound like a lot of work, and with so many things to remember, it’s hard to know where you should start. In this guide, we have covered 7 car maintenance tips everyone should know.
1. Look After Your Tires
One overlooked part of taking care of cars is ensuring that you have your tires looked after properly. Unfortunately, a burst tire or a tire problem can cause huge problems.
Especially if you have somewhere to be in a hurry and all of a sudden you find that your tire has got a puncture.
It’s very common for tires to get run down with wear and tear, so it’s important to look at them regularly.
One thing you can do is check your tires and give them a closer inspection every few weeks. If you notice that there are any issues with your tire, then you can simply bring it into a garage to get it checked.
Of course, you can always check the pressure of the tire as well and ensure that the alloys do not look as if they are damaged.
2. Check Your Car Glass
As well as checking for any damage to your tires, it’s also important that you check your car’s glass. This includes everything from checking your side windows to your front and back window screens.
You should look for things like small chips and any signs of damage. Even the smallest chips can lead to big problems and if your window screen begins to have a bigger crack, then you may need to get a windshield replacement.
You should also ensure that your window is cleaned regularly, and when you are doing so, you also have an opportunity to check for any cracks. If you find any small cracks then you may be able to get these fixed with auto glass repair before they get worse.
Keep in mind that dirty windows can also make driving more dangerous, which is why you should always keep your windows clean.
3. Battery Health
Another important aspect of vehicle maintenance is checking the health of your car battery. If your battery isn’t working properly, then it can cause your car to stop working.
This can be dangerous if your battery goes flat whenever you are driving, as it can cause you to stop in the middle of the road.
If you notice that your battery is turning over more slowly whenever you start it, then this may be a sign of battery failure. Another sign is if your battery’s instrument display flickers when you are driving.
Unfortunately, a flat battery is a big cause of breakdowns, so it’s always important to keep an eye on your battery health.
4. Test Your Brakes
Your brakes are one of the most important parts of your car. Yet the brakes in a car often get overlooked, and this can be a big mistake that puts both you and your passengers in potentially harmful situations.
To test your brakes, you can always go to an area where you have lots of space, and there aren’t any other cars around. Then while your car is running, simply move the car back and forth a few times to stop the brakes from seizing.
If your find that when using your brakes, they aren’t working properly, then it may be time to change them. To do this, you will need to get some new brake pads, install them, and test them to ensure that they are working properly.
5. Oil Changes
Over time as you use your engine, you can start to see a build-up of excess dirt. This dirt can cause problems which the engine and stop it from running as smoothly as it normally does.
To solve this problem, you must change your oils every 3000 to 5000 miles. Oil changes can also help to lubricate your engine which can help reduce the chances of your engine overheating and provide more overall car protection.
It will also help to extend the life of your engine by keeping it healthy and also gives you better gas mileage.
6. Top up Fluids
Topping up fluids is often overlooked when it comes to car maintenance. However, some very important fluids need attention.
If the fluid is not topped up, then it can cause the internal parts of a car to become corroded. You may also need some costly repairs if you don’t top up your fluids.
Of course, certain fluids, like your oil, will need to be changed regularly.
7. Service Your Vehicle
Servicing your vehicle is probably one of the most important things to keep in mind. If you don’t have your vehicle serviced regularly, then your car may be having issues that you aren’t aware of.
These issues can range from small to big; however, they can potentially put you at risk. Once your vehicle is serviced, you will receive a report back on the full check that has been done on your car.
If there are any issues, then you will get recommendations of what needs fixing and if it is safe to drive.
Use These Car Maintenance Tips
Car maintenance is important, and it should not be overlooked. Unfortunately, cars do sometimes have issues, and if they aren’t taken care of properly, then they can make your car potentially unsafe.
The good news is that car care doesn’t have to be difficult. If you ever find yourself getting confused when looking after your car, then simply follow the car maintenance tips in this guide.
