Automobiles are large investments, and it’s important that you do everything in your power to protect that investment. When you spend thousands or tens of thousands of dollars on a vehicle, your expectation should be that your car will be good for at least a decade.
One thing is for certain, if you have a vehicle for any length of time, then you’re bound to suffer the occasional malfunction. Keeping up with vehicle maintenance will extend the life of your vehicle as well as prevent roadside emergencies. Continue reading to get some tips to help you with car maintenance.
1. Get Regular Vehicle Inspections.
One of the most basic ways to maintain the health of your vehicle is to get regular vehicle inspections. Getting inspections is not only a great way to catch minor mechanical issues before they become major, but it also protects the environment from fuel emissions.
When you take your car in for an inspection, they test everything from the brakes to your automobile’s emissions. Reducing the amount of carbon monoxide vehicles emit is one of the many ways that the EPA is attempting to reduce the “greenhouse effect.”
2. Get Regular Tune-ups
Another way to keep your car running in tip-top shape is to get regular tune-ups. The more you drive your car, then the more punishment you’re putting it through. Getting tune-ups not only ensures your car’s healthy, but it’s also an integral part of vehicle safety.
During tune-ups, mechanics make minor maintenance repairs such as cleaning brake pads or changing the breaks altogether. Auto technicians will also check your fluids and rotate your tires during an inspection. When tires blow out and brakes fail, the results can be tragic and even fatal. To protect yourself and other drivers on the road, it’s important that you keep your vehicle running as close to new as possible.
If you have a friend who has their automotive and diesel certifications, they may be able to give you car inspections and tune-ups at a discount. Even if you don’t personally know a certified mechanic, you should build a report with one by going to them for all of your maintenance and repair needs.
3. Get Excellent Car Insurance
One of the most crucial ways to protect your vehicle is to get excellent car insurance. Even if you’re a great driver, anything could happen to your car. For instance, during inclement weather, your car could be hit by hail or a large tree branch causing costly repairs. If you have cut-rate car insurance, then you could be stuck with the repair bill.
Shop around for the best insurance policies and prices for your needs and budget on iSelect.com. With their comparison tools, you can find a policy within your budget that gives you the coverage you need.
4. Clean Brake Dust Off Your Rotors
Brakes are arguably the most important safety feature on any automobile. One of the best things you can do to ensure that your brakes are able to perform the way they’re intended to is to regularly clean away brake dust. If dust piles up on your rotors, your brakes could lose their stopping power. Keeping your rotors clean is about more than aesthetic appeal—it’s also about safety.
5. Learn What The Warning Lights on Your Dashboard Mean
Your car has plenty of ways of telling you that it’s in need of maintenance. One of the main ways to know exactly what’s going on with your car is to pay attention to the lights on the dashboard.
When the light starts flashing on your dash, it could mean that you need to check your engine, change your oil, or inflate your tires. Spend some time reading the owner’s manual that came with your car to familiarize yourself with the dash lights and what they mean.
6. Change Your Oil Regularly
One of the most basic yet most neglected aspects of car maintenance is getting regular oil changes. Getting oil changes keeps your car running smoothly and prevents sludge and grime from building up in the engine. The rule of thumb is that your car needs an oil change every 3 to 6 months.
7. Rotate Your Tires
Rotating your tires is as much about vehicle safety as it is maintenance. Your front tires are likely to wear out quicker than your back tires because most of the car’s weight is in the front where the engine is. Because of this, the front tires are more prone to blowouts. To prevent this, you need to regularly rotate and balance your tires.
