Top 10 Maintenance Items To Keep Your Car in Top Shape (That Will Save You Money in the Long Run)

Nov 20, 2020

If you don’t maintain your car, the good feeling you get when you get a new car won’t last long. A neglected vehicle can be unsafe, not perform well and repairs can be significantly more expensive than the cost of maintenance. Maintaining your car isn’t difficult, and we’ve come up with a list of how to educate yourself on how to keep your vehicle running smoothly for years to come.

Vehicle Maintenance Checklist

Maintaining your vehicle is critical to keeping it in top shape and performing as designed. It can also help ensure your safety and that of your loved ones, as well as saving you money in the long run. The good news is that it’s not difficult to take care of your vehicle once you know some basic maintenance rules. Following these can keep your car running for longer. Here are some ways to keep your vehicle running smoothly.

Maintaining Your Car’s Tires

Many factors contribute to how often your tires need to be changed, including your type of car, how and where it’s driven, and how well you maintain the tires. Maintaining your vehicle’s tire pressure helps reduce wear and tear and ensures you get the best gas mileage possible. Having your tire pressure checked includes finding the recommended pressure, checking PSI (pounds per square inch), and inflating or deflating the tires accordingly. Underinflated and overinflated tires can lead to many problems and can cause uneven or excessive wear over time. A flat tire can be dangerous to you and your car. Make sure you rotate your tires every 5000 to 6,000 miles.

You should also have your tire tread checked by examining the tread wear bars. If these are level with the tread pattern, the tire should be replaced. You can also examine this with a depth gauge, an inexpensive and easy to find tool. This tool can get you a measurement and help you decide when it’s time to replace your tires.

Test the Lights

Ensure your lights are all functioning, as a broken or burn-out bulb is dangerous and can get you a ticket. If a bulb is out, you should take your car to an expert and see if it’s the headlamp bulb or the fuse that needs to be replaced. Headlights are crucial to your car’s safety. Make sure you keep them shining bright by cleaning the lenses or replacing the bulbs when they start to dim.

A good way to check for burn-out bulbs is to look at your car’s bulb indicator. Newer cars have sensors that tell you when a light is out. If your vehicle is older, you might need to do this manually. Then, you should check your turn signals and make sure they are both working. If the indicator flashes fast, your turn signal is out. Next, turn on your headlights and high beams, ensure the indicator and dimmer switch are working correctly, and then continue on to check your hazards.

Replace Windshield Wipers

If you notice that your wipers aren’t working like they used to, don’t wait. Damaged or worn-out blades can reduce visibility in the rain or snow. Learn how to inspect your wiper blades regularly and replace them when necessary. They should be inspected and changed (if needed) every six months. If they are cracked, torn, or worn, they might not grip the windshield and remove rain, sleet or snow. Checking your wipers is especially necessary during the winter, where they take a beating from the elements.

Change the Oil

It’s imperative to routinely check and change your car’s oil to keep the engine running in good condition. Check your oil each month and change as directed in the owner’s manual. By checking your oil levels at least once a month, you will know how much oil your car uses and detect any problems before they happen. It is recommended that oil changes be done every 5,000 miles or three months, whichever comes first.

There are many factors to consider when thinking about a car’s oil. For example, if you do a lot of stop-and-go driving, have your vehicle idling a lot, or drive in extreme weather, you may need to change your oil more often. Every car is different and has different needs, so when deciding how often to change your oil and what type of oil to use, it’s always best to see what the manufacturer recommends. The northern New Jersey area in general is considered severe driving conditions because of the weather, traffic, and road conditions.

You can check the oil yourself or take it to a service center. If you do it yourself, make sure you know the steps to drain the fluid, set the correct oil level, and dispose of old oil. You should also know which type of oil is best for your car. This means checking the oil viscosity, synthetic vs. non-synthetic, and your car’s mileage. If you are not sure what you are doing, leave it to a professional.

Check the Fluids

Apart from oil, other fluids should always be at the appropriate level to keep your car running properly. These include:

Engine oil
Coolant
Power steering fluid
Brake fluid
Transmission fluid
Washer fluid

If any of these levels are low, it can affect the way your car drives and could result in damage in the long run. The fluid color might help identify which one it is and help you or your mechanic determine where it’s coming from, and speed up the repair process.

Check the Brakes

Brakes are a crucial part of your car’s maintenance and should never be overlooked. They require regular inspection. Although there’s no specific schedule for this, you should have your brakes checked each time your tires get rotated. Check the owner’s manual or talk to a professional technician to understand your car’s service schedule. Brake pad wear depends on how and where you drive. For example, if you drive in urban areas, they may wear out faster than if you drive on rural roads due to the stopping and starting of city traffic.

A few ways in which you can fine-tune your brakes and see if it’s time to have them checked are:

Listen to your brakes. If they need to be changed, brake pads will make a noise as a warning signal, usually like metal scraping on wheels. You should have them checked before you hear this. This sound gets louder the more your brakes are used and, in many cases, does more damage.
Pay attention to the brake pedal and steering wheel. If brake pads are worn out, you will be able to feel a vibration when braking, either on the brakes themselves or on the steering wheel.
Notice your warning light. If your brake warning light comes on while driving, you may be running low on brake fluid and need to get your brakes checked as soon as possible. However, if you hear brake noise, do not wait for a warning light and have your brakes checked immediately.

Wash Your Car

You may not think this is a maintenance item, but washing your car is just as important as any other. Your vehicle is exposed to all elements, from everyday dirt to road salt and ice melt in the winter to sap and bird droppings in the summer. Not only are these things unappealing to look at, but they can cause damage to your car, from the paint to the undercarriage to brake lines and electrical wires. Keeping your car clean may help prevent long-term damage.

Make sure you periodically hose off the underside of your car to remove all potentially harmful substances from your vehicle or find the best car wash near you to wash it regularly. To keep it looking good as well, make sure you wax it too. It is recommended it be done every six months or once per year. Waxing regularly keeps the paint in good condition and defends your car against some cosmetic damage.

Check Belts and Hoses

To keep your car running smoothly, keep your car’s belts and hoses in good shape. If, for example, your serpentine belt breaks while driving, many of your car’s systems may fail. Have them checked at every oil change to ensure they’re in good condition and don’t need replacing. Make sure your mechanic completes a multipoint inspection on all components each time you bring your vehicle in for service.

Get Regular Check-ups

To ensure all systems in your car are running smoothly, get regular check-ups by professional technicians. While some routine car maintenance can be done at home, others need a professional. Routine check-ups are necessary to help avoid major concerns that arise from age and mileage.

Protect From the Weather

One of the most important things to do for your vehicle is to protect it from the elements. Weather can be damaging to your vehicle. Extreme cold and heat are the most significant things that can damage your car, on the inside and out, if possible. Make sure you use a covered parking space, especially in the winter. If you have a garage, make sure to park it inside. The cold can be hard on your car, but snow covering your vehicle can be especially damaging. It can not only cause the exterior to be damaged, but interior parts to freeze.

Hot weather can also be very damaging to your vehicle. Things that can be damaged from the heat are interior plastic items, seats, and exterior paint. The best way to protect your vehicle from the heat is by parking in the shade or under a covered parking space. If this is not possible, you can use products such as a window deflector screen or a UV protectant to protect the inside of your car.

There is no secret potion to keep your car in top shape. Routine maintenance will do the trick. Maintaining your vehicle can not only help keep you and your loved ones safe, but it will help you save money in the long run. And remember, you are not alone. If you’re ever unsure about how to inspect or replace a car part, be sure to contact your local, trusted technician.

Did you know Nutley Auto Kia can help you with all your car needs? We have our own service center and are partnered with Goodyear to give you the best service experience. We GUARANTEE the lowest costs and the highest quality of service. Visit our website here to learn more about our services or call 973-667-0010 for any service-related issues.

Sources

https://www.actiongatortire.com/top-10-tips-keeping-car-top-shape/

https://www.allstate.com/blog/car-maintenance-tips/