Spring Car Care Tips That Could Save You Hundreds
Preventive car care can keep your wheels on the road much longer for less. These spring car care tips could save you hundreds.
Once spring rolls around, you can sense the promise of new adventures in the air. Warmer weather means exciting trips to the beach, camping, and family vacations. But before you take your car out for that long drive, make sure it is ready for it.
A harsh winter could have sent your vehicle into hibernation after seeing little action, if at all. You have to be careful as a small problem, if left untreated, can worsen and lead to huge expenses.
While you have insurance to cover damages, do you want to risk it? Carshield reviews show that damage from lack of maintenance is not covered.
You can avoid this problem by doing the following simple car care tips.
Regularly Check Car Fluids
Your vehicle’s oil is essentially its lifeblood. It lubricates the different moving parts of the engine, allowing it to run smoothly. Without oil, all that friction can cause severe damage. Simply checking and topping up your car oil can prevent this problem.
What is an ideal interval to check your oil? That would depend on your vehicle model. It is best to check the user manual.
Generally speaking, you can check your oil level every other time you stop to get gas. And it is easy to do this.
All you need is a clean paper towel or rag. Make sure the engine is cold by turning it off and waiting for about ten minutes.
Open the hood of your vehicle and look for the dipstick. Pull it out—you will notice it is covered with oil. Wipe the dipstick clean with the paper towel or rag and place it back.
Pull the dipstick out again. Without turning it upside down, check the end part. It should have a dot which is your marker. If the oil is below the dot, this indicates the level is low. It is time to put a quart in.
While checking your oil levels, take the time to check other fluids. That includes your brakes, power steering, transmission, and windshield washer fluid.
Make this a habit to ensure your car runs smoothly and prevent it from getting damaged.
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Check Tire Pressure
Every vehicle has an optimal tire pressure indicated in the user manual and on the driver side panel. Also, make it a habit to keep the tire pressure within the range stated for performance and safety.
Over- or under-inflated tires can cause the vehicle to perform poorly. That can lead to higher consumption of gas and other problems. It can also cause your tires and wheels to get damaged. Avoid costly repairs by checking your tire pressure regularly.
Like with the vehicle oil level, it is best to do this every other time you stop for gas.
Checking your tire air pressure is a simple process as well. Park near the tire gauge and set it to the air pressure you need it to be. Plug the gauge, and the machine will do the rest. It will alert you if the tire is at the indicated pressure. Do this for all four tires.
You should also check the air pressure of your spare tire during this time. The last thing you want is to change a flat tire, only to find that your spare is underinflated.
Clean Car Filters
Every vehicle has several filters that help keep things running smoothly. The problem is when they get clogged up. If that is the case, you will need to clean them to keep your car running smoothly.
Do this regularly to get the most out of your filters. If you keep them dirty or clogged for a long time, you will have to replace them faster.
Check Your Car Battery
Car batteries do not like cold temperatures. They can take a beating during this time. So once spring comes around, you may want to get it tested.
There are several things to check with your car battery. That includes the mounting, wire connection, and that it is free of corrosion.
If the battery is over five years old, it may be time to consider replacing it instead.
Don’t just keep using your car. You have to take care of it. Regular maintenance and checks are your best care tips. Doing so will prevent unwanted damage and keep things running smoothly. You can save a lot of money by turning these tips into a habit.
Reviewed March 2022
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