Even though you don’t perform your own car maintenance and repair as prescribed by the manufacturer’s schedule, you should know a few things about your vehicle and what needs to happen on a regular basis. What happens when you run out of some of the consumable fluids in your car? Do you know how to change a tire? Are you checking the pressure to make sure your tires are properly inflated? These are items that you should know along with a few others. Take a look at this list and the video to learn more about some of the items you need to understand.
Add Windshield Washer Fluid
The washer fluid that comes out of the nozzles to help you clear your windshield of dirt and bugs is important to help you see what you need when you drive. This is an item that you can run out of and something you need to refill on a regular basis. Make sure you know where you need to go to refill the washer fluid and keep it at the right level.
Replace Your Wipers
There’s no reason to have a mechanic replace your windshield wipers, these are easy to replace and something you can do on your own. In fact, with the wipers that are made for your vehicle, you’ll be able to find the instructions in the package in order to replace them and have the right wipers on your vehicle.
Check the Oil
If your vehicle doesn’t have any oil, it won’t operate properly at all. You need to make sure you have oil in the engine and this means checking the level on a regular basis. Check your oil level and make sure you have enough to get where you need to go when you drive. You’ll be extremely happy that you enough oil to take your vehicle for a drive.
Adding Oil to Your Vehicle
When your engine is low on oil you need to know how to add oil to make sure the inner parts of the engine stay lubricated and make it possible for you to continue to drive. Figure out where to add the oil to make sure you can continue to drive with confidence and have the ride you trust every day.
Check the Tire Pressure
One of the easiest car maintenance items you can take care of is the tire pressure of your car. This is something you should do at least once a month, but certainly when you’re getting ready to take a road trip in your vehicle. If your tires are a bit low, find the right place to accurately add air to your tires so that they will continue to perform the right way for you.
Change a Flat Tires
You can become stranded on the side of the road when you have a tire that’s gone flat. You need to put the spare on the wheel that has the flat tire and take the flat tire to be replaced right away. There are basic instructions in your owner’s manual to make it easy for you to get the job done. You’ll also want to know how to rotate your tires, but this may be something you want to do on your own.
Jump Start Your Car
Not only should you carry a set of jumper cables in your vehicle in order to make certain you can attach the different ends to the right parts of your battery in order to get your vehicle started once again. After a jump start, you need to take your vehicle in to have the battery tested to see if it’s going to continue to offer you the performance you need.
Replace the Air Filter
Whether you replace it or you allow it to be replaced during oil changes, you should have an idea of where this item is and what it should look like. This is the item that allows you engine to breathe clean air and perform the right way for you when you drive. If the air filter becomes clogged with dirt and debris your engine won’t perform efficiently for you.
Check the Belt
You can see the serpentine belt of your vehicle and probably figure out that this item needs to be changed or has become worn. This belt operates many of the different parts and systems of your car to keep you driving on the road. You’re not likely to replace the belt on your own, but if you can, that will save you some money.
Inspect the Cooling System
Check the antifreeze level in your car and make sure you have enough but not too much for what your vehicle requires. The reservoir for this system is under pressure with fluid that means to help you keep your engine cooler when you drive. Take a look at the fluid level and make sure you have enough for your drive.
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