Car maintenance tips for the everyday driver

Even though cars this day and age require less maintenance than when your grandparents got their first car, they still require regular upkeep.  Listed below are a few easy car maintenance tips we often overlook that will help keep our vehicles up and running for years to come.

Oil Change for Car Maintenance

Keeping up with proper car maintenance requires you to change your oil every 3,000-5,000 miles.  While it is good to keep a timeline in mind you should check your oil frequently anyway.  You may need to add more oil or find that it has a “sludgey” consistency which is an indicator that it’s time for a change… oil change that is.  Make sure to use the oil called for by the manufacturer, otherwise you could do some serious damage.

Tire Inflation and Rotation

Car maintenance rides on the fact that your tires are on their “A” game.  You can take proper care of your tires by checking their pressure and rotating them on a schedule.

It is normal for tires to leak air so checking your tire pressure is recommended every few months.  Tire pressure under the recommended amount will decrease your fuel efficiency and put a hurting on your wallet.  On the opposite end of the spectrum, having too much pressure in your tires causes them to wear out faster and could even cause a blow-out.

Upholding car maintenance requires interval tire rotation.  Front tires and rear tires wear at a different rate.  Rotating them on a schedule will help to have even wear and last longer.  Your owner’s manual will dictate what the proper tire pressures and rotation schedules should be.

Air Filters

A clogged air filter does a number on your fuel economy.  So how do you keep up with proper car maintenance and know when your air filter is dirty.  It’s really all speculation.

Step 1: Look at air filter

Step 2: Use judgment to decide if air filter is dirty

Step 3: Decide to replace or not to replace air filter

If you are driving on busy city streets during rush hour, or out on dirt country roads during a drought we can guarantee your air filter will need changing twice as often.  If you’re taking the kids to school 5 minutes around the corner 3 times a week, you can probably wait a little longer.  Keeping up with this car maintenance tip will help your car breathe better and save you money.

Brake Pads

Brake pads wear out at different rates and compromise your car maintenance.  If you are driving in the city, hitting every stoplight, your brake pads are surely going to need to be replaced more often than someone driving on a highway through the Midwest.  The best way to tell if your brake pads are getting warn out is to listen for noises like squeals, squeaks, and grinding.  You can also tell by noticing if your brakes feel different.  It is a good idea to have your brakes checked when you go in for your routine tire rotation or car maintenance.

Cover Your Vehicle

Vehicles need shelter just like people do!  The more exposure they encounter from the elements, they faster they will wear down and require more frequent car maintenance.  Things such as rain, wind, snow, sleet, hail, sun, sand, and even leaves can take a toll on your car’s well being.  And we have even better news!  Some of the car maintenance tips listed above can even be performed under your carport or garage protecting you from the elements as well!

Helpful Hint: In the owner’s manual or possibly a separate book in the glove box, your car most likely comes equipped with a maintenance log schedule to help you keep up with all of your car maintenance needs!