Stay on Top of It: How to Keep Track of Your Car Maintenance
Your car is essential to living in the city or just traveling around. As an extension of your home, you must take good care of it and can rely on its best performance. It is not enough to take your car to be fixed when it breaks down in the middle of the road or starts showing signs of technical problems.
That is why regular vehicle maintenance is the key to always keeping the vehicle running and operating at its best. But where do you start with car maintenance? Here we give you the basic car maintenance routine that you might want to adhere to.
Inspecting the Vehicle
The owner manual of your car is not a little booklet to be discarded. Inside, you will see what your vehicle should have and not have. With it, you can keep track of the small parts of your car and make sure they are in place. Once you get a new vehicle, take a look at the manual and make sure you understand every piece of maintenance your car will need. Some car makes and models might be different, so it’s important to have a thorough understanding of your specific vehicle.
Look out for Light Indicators
The different light indicators of your car are there to signal when something is wrong with your machine. Use your owner manual to learn all of the warning light indicators, and pay attention when any of them lights up. Don’t just shrug them off and assume it won’t be a big deal. It could end up costing you in the future.
Keep Track of the Tires
The economy of the fuel is directly dependent on the pressure of the tires. This also impacts the control and handling of the vehicle. The tire pressure of your vehicle will be indicated in the owner manual. Check your tire pressure once weekly to keep up with the optimum pressure.
As tires wear out in varying degrees, you can rotate the tires after about 5,000 miles to have an even wear distribution among them. You will also need to be aware of how long your tires were made to last. Different tire models will be able to withstand a varying amount of miles. Keep track of this and know when it’s time to change them completely.
Check on the Engine
The engine is what runs your car. It runs your machine through drive belts. These belts are worn out with time. That is why it is a good idea to check if they have any cracks in them or loss of functional integrity.
The oil levels and quality are important when running an engine that is low on friction, heat buildup and wear. The owner manual of your car should have a designated period in which you should change your oil. This is important for you to remember. If you have a hard time remembering, you can always mark it on your calendar or use oil change stickers to keep track of your last oil change.
Maintenance is a necessary part of owning a car. Always err on the side of safety when it comes to having your vehicle checked. Remember the above four tips to get the most out of your car’s life and keep it functioning for years to come.
Emma is a freelance writer based out of Boston, MA. She writes most often on health and education. When not writing, she enjoys reading and watching film noir. She recommends keeping track of your car maintenance and using an oil change sticker to prevent problems. Say hi on Twitter @EmmaSturgis2