If you have not yet heard that you should follow a strict maintenance schedule for your vehicle, you may not yet be an automobile owner. There is a debate going on between manufacturers of cars and those who repair them about the best type of schedule to keep when maintaining your vehicle. Here are some tips for the best practices for taking care of your vehicle.
Inspecting and Maintaining the Tires
It should come as no surprise that tires with proper inflation most of the time will be safer for you to be on the road. You must first obtain the recommended tire pressure for the tires on your car and check it regularly.
Most newer vehicles will have a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) built into them. If you do not have one of these, you will need to get the classic tire pressure gauge. These can be purchased at any local auto parts store, and are relatively easy to use.
If the gauge says there is too much air, you will need to deflate the tires. Contrary, if the tires do not have enough air in them, you will need to add some. Having the proper pressure will lead to better gas mileage.
A flat tire can be a serious hazard for both you and your car. It is recommended to rotate the tires every 5-10 thousand miles. Doing so will aid in not having flat tires.
Check the Fluids
There are specific fluids you should be checking about once per month. These fluids are as follows.
Engine Oil
Power Steering Fluid
Coolant
Brake Fluid
Transmission Fluid
Checking these fluids monthly and topping them off as needed will assist you in finding any leaks in your car's engine. If you find one or more of these fluids is running low every month, it could mean a leak. Also, you might see a puddle on the ground under your auto one day. Typically, it is easy to tell what is leaking from the color of the liquid on the ground. It should be noted, some of the fluids will look the same. If you have a leak, we encourage you to bring your vehicle into our shop for an inspection at your earliest convenience.
In addition to fluids and tires, there are many other maintenance items that should be taken care of to keep your vehicle running at its best. If your car is due for service, we invite you to bring your car into our experts today!