Finally having the freedom and ability to drive your own vehicle is great. But breaking down on the side of the road and potentially having to spend a lot of money on car repairs? Not so great. One way to avoid costly repairs is to focus on proper vehicle maintenance. Here are a couple basic steps to follow that will make your life as a car owner easier.
Read Your Owners Manual. Reviewing your manual is the easiest way to learn about your vehicle. It contains information on all the features and operating parts of your car and also has proper maintenance tips, including type of oil, tire pressure, and more.
Inspect Your Vehicle Frequently. A well maintained vehicle isn’t rocket science. Checking things like fluid levels (i.e., oil and coolant), and tire pressure can ensure good condition and mileage and are things you can do yourself. A quick inspection of headlights, windshield wipers, and tires can mean a world of difference in driver safety. These easy inspections don’t take a lot of time, either.
Keep up with Routine Maintenance. Pay attention to the service recommendations in your owners manual–it gives you everything you need to know about keeping up with maintenance. You should check the condition of the air filter, brakes, belts, spark plugs, and fluids at regular intervals–in addition to regular oil changes and other checks. We can help keep your vehicle in good running shape. Give us a call if you have questions.
Remember, even a well-equipped vehicle can break down in certain circumstances. Keep the following in your vehicle in case emergency:
- A properly inflated spare tire and jack
- Flares or reflective devices to alert other drivers of a breakdown
- Flashlight
- Travel size tool kit
- Jumper cables
- First aid kit
- Empty fuel container (never carry extra fuel in your car, it’s dangerous)
In snowy or icy areas, you should also keep:
- A small shovel
- A blanket (consider something that’s water resistant on one side)
- An ice-scraper/brush
Have questions about what to look for when you conduct your quick vehicle inspection? Give us a call or stop by and we’ll run through it with you.
#drivesafely #automotive #carrepair #mechanic #shoplocal
This entry was posted in Vehicle Maintenance and tagged Teen Driver, Vehicle Maintenance on .
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