Owning a car is a big responsibility at any age. One of the best things you can do to extend the life of your vehicle is to make sure maintenance is done regularly. If your driver’s education course covers car maintenance, it is important to look at your own car and figure out how everything applies to your specific vehicle to learn best.
Here are some of the basic routine car maintenance items you should know how to do in your car.
1. Change the oil
This is considered one of the most basic car maintenance items because it needs to be done often. Oil helps lubricate the engine parts to keep them from grinding and destroying the engine.
Over time, the oil gets dirty and leads to build up, which also causes damage from parts rubbing together. Consult your owner’s manual for frequency on oil changes and the best type of oil to use.
2. Checking tire pressure
The main part keeping your vehicle moving on and off the road is the wheels. Without even one, you’re stuck.
The best way to prevent damage is to check the pressure about once a month. Keep a pressure gauge in your glove box so it is also handy when you need it. The recommended PSI for tire pressure is located on the driver’s door jamb, in the owner’s manual, and usually on the tires themselves.
While you are checking them, look for any nails, sticks, or other debris stuck in them. Also, add the spare tire to your list of tires to check so that it is ready if you ever need it.
3. Monitor fluids
Motor oil isn’t the only fluid in the car that needs regular checking. Every now and then, you should pop the hood and check the transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid, and washer fluid. Each has its own compartment with a dip stick or cap to check the levels.
Make sure there are no leaks or cracks in the containers and that the levels are adequate.
4. Examine the hoses and belts
The hoses are responsible for making sure fluids are carried to their appropriate locations, preventing over-heating and keeping things running smoothly. Check each for any cracks, leaks, or bulges. If you find any hoses with these traits, they need to be replaced.
Next, locate the belts. Most cars and SUVs require a belt to keep them running, which means it is very important. If you notice any tears, rips, cracks, glazing, or chunks missing, it needs to be replaced.
5. Keep the battery clean
While you are under the hood checking fluids, hoses, and belts, just look at the battery to make sure the connectors are clean.
If you notice corrosion, mix baking soda with a little water and apply it to a wire brush. Scrub around the connectors lightly and wipe clean.
6. Change the windshield wipers
Windshield wiper blades help keep your vision clear during storms. It is best to check them a few times a year to make sure they are functioning before you’re in a storm. It is time to replace them if they leave streaks on the glass or make a screeching sound while operating.
This is a very basic list, but there are other things you should know like how to jump a car battery and how to change a headlight or taillight. The more maintenance you know how to do on your own, the less money you will have to pay a professional to do it for you.
No matter who does it, just make sure that car maintenance is done on time to prevent problems from happening.
Making an emergency preparedness kit for your car is so important that you should put one in each of your family’s vehicles. When putting together your kit, there are three categories of items you should consider; medical, breakdowns, and emergency supplies.
As the colder weather sets in, it is a good time to start getting your car ready for winter. This is helpful if you live in a cold weather place or if you are planning to travel to colder weather for the holidays. Here is a checklist for getting your car winter ready.
During the holidays, there are a lot of parties for family, neighborhoods, work, and more. At many of these functions, there is alcohol being served, which leads to some dangerous situations.
More drivers are out on the road during the holiday season. Whether it’s driving to a holiday party, family function, or going out shopping, there are many reasons why the roads are more congested. If you are out in the holiday traffic for any reason, here are five tips you can use to deal with the traffic and keep yourself safe.
Parallel parking is a required part of driver’s education. Since many students have heard it is difficult, they are scared to even try it. While it does take some skill to master this parking maneuver, it is possible to do it with some practice, patience, and confidence. If you remember the following five steps to parallel parking, you can not only do it the right way but also feel comfortable doing it.
Roads are full of large semi-trucks. Large trucks like these are used to transport merchandise and large deliveries for companies in almost every industry. Driving around them can be uncomfortable and for good reason.
The evenings are getting darker, leaves changing colors, and temperatures are dropping. That can only mean one thing; fall is here. As October gets into full swing, preparations for Halloween are going strong. One thing to include in your Halloween prep is taking a refresher course in driving safety for the big night. While it might be all fun and games, it’s important that you know how to navigate the night safely.
Four-way stops, or intersections that require all four directions of traffic to come to a stop, are some of the first traffic rules discussed in driving school. They are often a frustrating experience for many drivers though because they don’t remember who should go first. Having a good, solid understanding of the four rules of four-way stops is one of the best ways to prevent collisions, road rage, and frustrations when you approach one of these intersections.