While owning a car, you should always show love for your vehicle. Maintaining your vehicle through the years is very important. Keeping your car in good condition will help you stay safe while driving, increase the value of your car if you finance and plan to sell it in the future, and extends the life of your vehicle. It takes just a little bit of time to maintain your vehicle and will benefit you in many ways long term. Here are the top 5 ways to maintain your vehicle:
5 Tips For Maintaining Your Car
1. Keep the outside of your car clean
Doesn’t everyone love a clean car?! This can be a time consuming task but it will preserve the vehicles paint and also make it look brand new! Whether you wash the car on your own or take your car to the car wash, by washing the body and the tires with soap and water it will remove any dirt and road salt that could damage the paint. Try to wash the car every week if possible, if not, then once a month will make a difference in the exterior of your car.
2. Don’t use the inside of your car as a garbage can
We all have busy lives and sometimes have to eat dinner on the go, but be conscious of leaving that left over salad container or soda cup in your car. Try to make it a point to take out any trash in your vehicle so it doesn’t pile up. It is a lot easier taking out your trash after each ride then cleaning it out once a month. Top it off with vacuuming the inside of your car at least once a month to keep the interior spotless.
3. Check Oil Level
Oil is the blood of your car, without oil, your car would not survive. Make sure you take note of when you need to receive your next oil change. Oil changes are very important to keep your vehicle in good condition. Most cars will alert you when your oil tank is getting low but you should also check the level of your tank. If you see a leak under your car it is suggested to go to a mechanic because you may have an oil leak.
4. Check tire pressure
Once a month you should check your tire pressure in each tire, including your spare. Tire pressure can vary based on the temperature outside. By doing monthly checks it will help ensure it is always at the proper pressure for that current temperature. Keep a tire-pressure gauge in your glove compartment so you can easily do an accurate read.
5. Lights
It’s hard to check your car lights because your car lights are normally only on when you’re in the vehicle. Every once in a while, turn your car on, get out of the car and take a walk around the car. In order to stay safe, it is important to make sure all your car lights are properly functioning. Make sure to check the headlights, taillights, reverse lights, turn signals, and break lights. For example, if you have break lights out and you break your car due to a squirrel running across the road suddenly, the person behind you will not be notified because your lights are out and could cause an accident. Always stay safe!
