Part of owning a vehicle is staying on top of routine vehicle maintenance. Though it would be wonderful to purchase a car and be good to go, cars require a lot of ongoing maintenance to ensure proper functioning. Most cars need regular service once they reach their first 5,000 miles.
Taking good care of your vehicle with regular and routine maintenance will ensure your car stays functional and safe for as long as possible. In this checklist, you will find all the basic “must-knows” to properly take care of your car.
Monthly Maintenance
Tire Pressure and Visual Inspection of Tires
Certain things should be managed every month, whereas there are other things you will not need to do as frequently. Each month, it is recommended that you inspect your tires. This is a quick process, however, very important. Inspecting your tires each month can include a visual inspection to ensure everything looks good, as well as checking the tire pressure. Checking the tire pressure will make sure your tires are safe to drive on. Before going on a long road trip or out-of-town, it is also a good idea to do a quick tire inspection.
If you do not have a tire gauge, many gas stations offer a free tire pressure check and pump. Each car’s tires have different pressure needs, so be sure to research the correct pressure for the tires on your car. This helpful guide will show you where to find this information for your car.
There are also many at-home ways you can check the tread on your tires to see if it is time to replace them. Check out this guide to learn more about how to know when to replace your tires.
Lights
It is easy for lighting issues to go unnoticed, especially since you’re unlikely to be looking at the outside of your car if you’re in it! Have a friend, neighbor, or family member help you out by walking around the car to ensure all of your lights are working properly. This includes high beam lighting, brake lights, backup lights, and turn signal lighting. You’ll need to be in the car while they are on the outside to do this check. Maintaining functioning lights is very important for driving safety, especially at night or in poor weather conditions. It’s also imperative that you check the lights, as you don’t want to be pulled over by a police officer and be issued a ticket for violating traffic rules.
Windshield
A visual inspection of your windshield can help ensure your safety, especially during the winter months. Make sure you look for cracks, splits, or damages to the windshield and inspect your wipers as well. Always make sure to check your windshield wiper fluid levels too.
Yearly Maintenance
As previously mentioned, some parts of maintaining a healthy vehicle only need to be checked up annually. Some of these include:
Cabin and Air Filters
These control the air you breathe in while you’re driving your car. In general, these should be replaced each year to make sure you are breathing in clean air. A clean air filter will also ensure that your air conditioning system works well in the hot summer months.
Tire Rotations
It is important to do regular tire rotations so that the tires wear evenly. Tires can be quite expensive. Therefore, tire rotations can help increase the longevity of your tires. Tires that are wearing unevenly may cause your car to vibrate or cause other damages and safety risks while driving. Don’t forget to get your tires properly aligned by the mechanic to ensure better handling and to further prolong your tires. Check out this helpful guide that further explores tips on how to properly look after your tires and wheels, allowing you to save money in the long run.
It would be best to take note when the tires are rotated so you don’t lose track. Tire rotations are recommended at least every 5,000 miles or whatever the car manufacturer indicated in the manual. It would be best to do this simultaneously with the oil change so it’s easier to remember. The front tires usually wear off first. If you consistently rotate on a schedule, you will improve the performance of all four tires without spending on new ones.
Brake Check-Ups
Each year, the brakes on your car should be inspected. Many places that perform vehicle inspections will perform a brake check as part of a regular multi-point inspection. This includes listening for noises that seem unusual and clearing brake dust from the brakes.
If you want to streamline the brake check-up process and make it more efficient for your technician, consider using Autoflow, an innovative software designed to increase technician productivity with an easy-to-use interface that creates a clean and high-tech DVI presentation.
You must also check if the brake fluid needs to be replenished, as this is equally important in the function of your brakes. The roads in the urban area are busier than in the rural area. You’ll find that you’re frequently stopping as you drive, and this causes wear and tear on the brake pads. Compared to those living in rural areas, their brake pads don’t need to be changed as frequently.
These are just a few of the components of the basic recommended yearly maintenance. Each vehicle, depending on the type and usage, will have individual needs. It is always a good idea to follow the maintenance schedule as provided by the car manufacturer. Some other considerations for routine vehicle maintenance include:
- Wipers: Depending on where you live and the winter weather conditions, you may have to replace your windshield wipers more frequently. Worn-out or improper wiper blades can be dangerous if they do not properly clear the windshield during poor weather conditions. The wiper blades you buy must be of good quality and must fit perfectly to prevent damaging your windshield.
- Oil Changes: Most newer cars will tell you when it is time for an oil change. It is a good idea to stay on top of these oil changes as it tells you it is time to do so. Oil changes are needed to ensure the longevity and safety of your car. Be sure to use the correct type of oil for your specific type of vehicle.
- Car Battery: Every couple of months, it is a good idea to test your car’s battery. This will prevent possible breakdowns. Many car inspections will include a battery test.
Though these checklist points may seem tedious, they can help prevent pricey long-term problems and help ensure the safety of your vehicle when driving. Creating a personal checklist with a timeline can help make taking care of your car easy.
Interested in doing more to maintain your vehicle’s health? This complete buying guide can help you find the best OBD2 Scanner to help you analyze and diagnose what may be wrong with your car.
