Car Maintenance

Maintaining your car can be costly, but with regular maintenance checks you can keep car repairs to a minimum and add to the longevity of your vehicle. Basic car maintenance can usually be performed by the individual car owner without necessitating the need (and expense) of visiting a mechanic. The following car maintenance tips will help you save money and keep your car running in tip-top condition:

Clean brakes dust off regularly. Brake dust accumulates on your wheels along with grime and road debris. Combine that with heat and moisture and it can become “baked on” your wheels. Remove brake dust regularly when washing your car.
Check tire pressure once each week. Poor tire pressure can affect the handling of your vehicle as well as fuel economy. An inexpensive tire pressure gauge takes just seconds to use.
Keep an eye on tire tread depth. Tires that are worn can present a danger to you and others on the roadway. If your tires are not equipped with tread wear bars, then check your tire by placing a nickel into the tread. The tread should come to the top of the figure’s head; anything below that is asking for trouble.
Check your engine belts. The belts of your engine are found in the front of the engine, looping around various pulleys. These are the inner workings of your engine that make everything “go”. Look for worn rubber or signs of tears or rips.
Check your oil. With your engine cooled down and your car parked on a flat surface, locate the dipstick and pull it out. Wipe it clean using an old rag or paper towel, and then push it back into its dip tube. Wait a few second and then remove it again to check the level of oil. It should read between “high” and “low”. If not, adjust accordingly.

These simple car maintenance tips are easy to perform and can save you a lot of headaches on down the road.