Now that summer is here and in full swing, many will be heading out on annual summer vacation road trips. Before you hit the road, of course you need to prepare yourself and your family for a fun time but make sure you don’t forget to prepare your car for the excursion as well.
Neglecting your car's maintenance needs can be costly in cases where it could prevent serious damage. Certainly, it's easier to pretend your car doesn't need any regular care. However, many spot checks and maintenance routines are quick, easy and less intimidating when you have them done regularly.
Here are the basics car care tips you shouldn't forget:
- Check your tires. An eyeball check will tell you whether or not you have any flat tires, but you will need to use an air gauge to ensure your tires are inflated to the proper levels. Proper tire inflation gets you better gas mileage, extends the life of your tires and keeps you safe on the road. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under-inflation is a major cause of tire failure and tire related motor vehicle crashes.
- Read your car's owner manual. It has all the information on car maintenance as well as safety precautions. A good question came up in a Ford forum, FordRangerForum.com, last week: "Will 235 75 15 fit on my ranger that is rated for 225 70 15 without tire rub?" This is a great time to consult the manual and if you still need help, go to a local tire store and talk to an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE ) certified tire expert to be 100% safe and sure.
- Top off your fluids. Brake, power steering and wiper fluids need to be maintained regularly. If you open the hood, make sure you know which fluid goes where. Your local tire store can help with routine oil and lubes as well as maintaining these other fluids, keeping everything filled to its suggested level.
- Make sure your lights work. A broken brake light is an open invitation for a time-consuming, possible traffic stop, and costly ticket.
- Check your windshield for cracks and inspect wipers. Change your windshield wipers if they do not clean properly. You do not want to have impaired visibility when you need them most.
- Keep your car clean. Wash and wax your vehicle once in a while to keep the car protected from corrosion and rust.
- Get expert advice from an ASE certified automotive technician. At least once a year have your car checked out at a tire store by a certified technician. Also, don't wait to deal with any problems, as soon as they arise because these problems can become more serious and require expensive repairs.
Follow the outlined maintenance schedule in your car's owner manual. The important things that need to be regularly serviced or replaced at certain intervals are brakes, air filters, timing belts, spark plugs, tires and oil and lube service. Once you have made it this far you will realize how easy it is to keep your car not only looking good, but running well.
What is your car maintenance routine?
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