The average American spent an increased 12% of their time in their car per week year-over-year. We now spend almost 11 hours driving every week.
With all that time behind the wheel, you’ll want to make sure your car is working properly. Otherwise, issues could lead to a car accident or expensive repairs. Instead, you can use preventative car maintenance to extend your car’s lifespan.
Not sure where to start? Here are the nine preventative maintenance tips you need to keep your car in the best possible shape.
The next time you have a long drive ahead, you’ll have peace of mind that your car is safe to drive.
Avoid breaking down, stress, and costly repairs. Keep your car running smoothly with these easy tips today!
Why It Matters
It’s not enough to keep your car in the best possible shape. It’s also important to know why prioritizing your car maintenance is essential.
Otherwise, you might see every car maintenance cost as a burden. You could skip essential repairs that are necessary to keep your car in the best possible condition.
Convenience
How often do you get behind the wheel? How far does your car carry you during any given drive?
You’re probably not the only person in your household who depends on your car. If you have kids, you’ll need to get them to school or extracurricular functions. There are also doctor’s appointments, dentist appointments, and other events to consider.
How often do you go grocery shopping? What if there’s an emergency and you need to get behind the wheel right away?
Think about your commute to work, too.
About 88% of people above the age of 15 are drivers. Over 90% of Americans rely on their personal cars to get to work.
If your car breaks down unexpectedly, it could make life difficult.
Save Money
Your car is also a lifetime investment. You don’t want the money you put into your car to go to waste if it breaks down. By maintaining a regular car maintenance schedule, you can get the most out of your investment without worry.
It’s cheaper to make small repairs on a schedule than to make huge, expensive repairs (like a new engine). With regular maintenance checks, you can avoid future repairs and save money in the process!
Improved Fuel Mileage
When was the last time you changed your motor oil or air filters? Neglecting your car could impact your car’s gas mileage. Over time, your car’s engine will experience wear and tear, too.
Scheduling a routine oil change every 3,000 miles and full suspension maintenance every 15,000 can ensure your car is working properly. By improving your car’s optimal fuel efficiency, you’re saving money!
Now that you understand why preventative car maintenance is essential, let’s discuss a few ways you can extend your car’s lifespan.
Easy Maintenance Tips
Don’t wait until your car breaks down. Instead, take your car to a professional to make sure everything is in working order on a schedule.
Here are a few easy maintenance checks you can request regularly to ensure your ride is running smoothly.
- Power On
Have you ever left your lights on overnight, only for your car to refuse to turn on in the morning? Maybe an old battery let you down. Either way, you’re not alone.
Over 40% of car owners have reported battery failure year-over-year. Consider getting your battery replaced every 5 years. After all, you don’t want to find yourself stranded on a dark light without a working battery.
Make sure to check your lights as well.
It’s difficult enough to navigate in the dark. What if you’re on a winding road or a storm hits? You’ll want to make sure every light bulb is working properly.
Have someone help you check your brake lights as well. Otherwise, inoperable lights could lead to an accident. You could get a ticket as well.
- Oil Change
Changing your oil regularly will ensure your engine is working in the best possible condition. You might need to get your oil changed more often if you drive more often, though.
Before changing the oil on your own, drain the fluid. Safely discard the old oil as well.
If you decide to change the oil alone, make sure to determine what type of motor oil your car needs. You’ll also need to look at your car’s mileage before choosing between synthetic and non-synthetic oil. Review the oil’s viscosity as well.
Otherwise, using the wrong oil for your car can have dangerous consequences.
Add changing your oil to your car maintenance schedule every 10,000 miles. Otherwise, check your car’s manual.
- Breathe In
Remember, a dirty engine air filter can cause damage to your car’s engine. When the filter is dirty, tiny particles can reach your engine, causing damage. Your car’s efficiency levels could drop as a result.
Take the time to check your engine air filter at least once a year. Otherwise, you might have to make expensive repairs to your engine down the road.
- Check the Pressure
Your car’s tires experience wear and tear every time you hit the road. Neglecting your car’s tire pressure can have a negative effect on your gas mileage. To keep your tires on track, you’ll need to make sure your tire pressure is at the recommended level.
You can check your car manual to determine the proper PSI.
Have you ever hit the road, only to end up with a flat tire before reaching your destination? A flat could cause an accident, causing you to veer off. Thankfully, you can use preventative maintenance to avoid a blowout.
First, make sure to check your tire pressure on schedule. Next, look for tire recalls and sure you have the best tires for your vehicle.
Otherwise, make sure to rotate your tires every 10,000 miles. Rotating your tires will keep their wear and tear even.
- Check the Fluids
Reviewing your fluid levels is an important step in your preventative maintenance car check as well. When the fluids aren’t at the right levels, it could impact your car’s functionality and efficiency.
Your car might not drive properly, either.
These fluids include your:
- Coolant
- Engine oil
- Brake fluid
- Power steering fluid
- Transmission fluid
Is something leaking from your car? Take it to a professional right away.
- Belts and Hoses
Out of sight, out of mind, right? Unfortunately, many of your car’s parts are out of sight. You might not realize your car needs repairs if you fail to schedule regular maintenance.
For example, when was the last time you looked at your car’s belts and hoses?
Belts wear down over time. If yours is worn, it’s important to have a belt replaced right away. Certain systems could begin to fail while you’re on the road otherwise.
Having the belts and hoses replaced when needed can help you avoid breaking down on the side of the road.
- Wiper Replacements
Do you live in an area that’s prone to heavy storms? You never know when one might hit. If your windshield wipers aren’t working properly, you could feel blind on the road.
Check your windshield wipers regularly to make sure they’re functioning properly. If a big storm is about to roll in, check them again (especially during hurricane season). You never know when you might need to evacuate.
Otherwise, heavy rain or a snowstorm could impact your visibility on the road. You could get into an accident, which could lead to costly repairs.
- Wash Up
When was the last time you spoiled your car with a thorough clean? You might not realize it, but washing your car is an important maintenance service, too.
Over time, your car comes into contact with tree sap, pollen, bugs, and other elements. Whether it’s on the road or sitting in your driveway, these elements can cause damage. Your undercarriage and paint could suffer.
Don’t let the weather outside impact the state and value of your car. Instead, make it part of your routine to wash your car regularly.
Washing your car will make sure it’s always looking its best. Better yet, it can help you avoid long-term damage as well.
- Check the Brakes
Pay attention to the sounds your car makes during a drive. If it’s shuddering and vibrating or your brake pedal feels strange beneath your foot, pull over right away. You might want to have an expert check your car as soon as possible.
It’s important to make sure your brakes are working properly every time you’re on the road. Schedule your brake pads checked during your oil level checks.
These tips will give you peace of mind each time you’re on the road.
Keep Driving Forward: 9 Tips for Ongoing Preventative Car Maintenance
Don’t hit the road in a worn-out vehicle. Instead, use these ongoing preventative car maintenance tips to make sure your car is in its best shape. With these tips, you can feel safe each time you hit the road.
You’ll end up extending your car’s lifespan, too!
Want to keep your car functioning at its best? We can help.
Schedule a service with our team today!
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