Keeping your car in good shape can save you money on expensive repairs in the long run. Fortunately, checking your vehicle for issues and keeping them at bay takes little time.
Regular maintenance can help your vehicle last longer and increase resale value. Here are ten easy tips to help you keep your car in good condition.
Check Your Tire Pressure Regularly
The proper air in your tires stabilizes the structure and extends tire life. Properly inflated tires also help improve fuel economy.
You can check your tires with a reliable, accurate pressure gauge at home or a gas station. The process is easy and quick.
Inspect Your Brakes Regularly
Brakes are essential to your vehicle and should be inspected regularly to ensure they work correctly. Keeping them at a healthy level will help keep you safe on the road and save you from costly repair bills later down the line.
Some early warning signs that your brakes need inspection include a hard pedal feel, vibration, or a noticeable pull to one side when you press the brakes.
Change Your Oil
A crucial component of your car’s maintenance program is motor oil. In keeping dangerous particles like rust, sludge, and other substances in suspension, it lubricates, cleans, and cools the components of your engine.
The best way to maintain a healthy quantity of oil in your vehicle is to change it frequently with auto repair services. Because of this, it’s crucial to read your owner’s handbook for detailed instructions.
Check Your Tires for Punctures
Your tires are susceptible to cuts and punctures from sharp, foreign objects like stones or glass. Visit your neighborhood tire retailer to get your tire examined by a professional if you see a cut on the surface.
Punctures can be repaired only if they are within the tread area and not on the sidewall. They should be at most 1/4 inch in diameter.
Check Your Tires for Damage
The tires on your car take a beating every time you drive, and this can lead to them failing. If you know how to identify the signs of wear and tear, you can keep your tires healthy to get more mileage out of them.
One common type of damage is cuts in the sidewalls of your tires. They’re often caused by driving over obstacles like curbs or speed bumps at too high a speed or the wrong angle.
Check Your Tires for Cracks
Tires are a critical component of any vehicle. Without them, cars would not be able to move at all.
Over time, tires start to deteriorate and can crack due to sunlight exposure, chemicals, oils, and other elements. As a result, drivers must take cracking in tires seriously and get it addressed as soon as possible.
Rotate Your Tires
Rotating your tires is an essential maintenance task that can help keep your car healthy. Changing your tires regularly helps promote even tread wear, which can extend the life of your tires and increase safety while driving.
Typically, tire rotation should be done about every 5,000 miles. However, it is up to you to monitor the condition of your tires and determine when they are due for a change.
Check Your Tires for Uneven Wear
As your car’s main contact point to the road, tires must be in top condition. Knowing how to spot uneven tire wear gives you a leg up on this potential safety problem.
Several variables can contribute to uneven tire wear. Compared to others, some are simpler to fix.
Check Your Tires for Moisture
Checking for moisture is among the best things you can do to keep your tires clean. Water can enter your tires in various ways, including condensation or any puncture holes that haven’t been addressed.
Tires can also deteriorate due to dry rot, which is particularly common in tires that are stored for an extended time. The rubber in these tires loses its elasticity as the vital oils and resins within the material slowly strip away.
Keep Your Tires Clean
Your car’s tires, which experience a lot of wear and tear, are one of its most crucial components. They also collect lots of dirt, mud, and dust that could shorten their lifespan.
To keep your tires clean, you should clean them frequently. Using a good tire cleaner is a must.