Tips on Car Maintenance

We all take our cars for granted and do not think much about them as long as they start when we turn the key and get us from point a to point b, but sooner or later, we all have car troubles. A lot of these car problems can be prevented if we have regular maintenance checks and service. These services can save you lots of money in the long run and keep your car running smooth.

There are several maintenance tips that you can perform yourself, even if you do not have a whole lot of knowledge on cars. This can save you a lot of money considering most garages charge between $65 and $80 an hour for their labor. This rate may vary depending on which state you live in.

One tip that you can perform is to fill up your windshield washer fluid. To do this all you have to do is to unscrew the cap off the fluid reservoir and pour the fluid in. Most reservoirs are labeled "washer fluid only" so make sure that you put the fluid in the right spot. There is nothing any more irritating then trying to turn on your wipers to clean your windshield and finding out that you are out of washer fluid. Make sure to check this on a regular basis.

Also, make sure to clean your wiper blades frequently. They get built up with road grime and dead bugs and this affects their cleaning ability. You need a clear field of vision to drive properly and safely. Make sure that you get new wiper blades every year.

Another maintenance tip that you can do yourself is to check your tire pressure and overall condition of your tires. This can save you lots of money as slack tires affect your gas mileage and the overall life expectancy of your tires. With gasoline over $4 a gallon, you cannot afford to waste gas. You should check your tires every month.

Make sure that all of your lights on your car are clean and working. If other motorists cannot see your turn signals because they are dirty or broken, then this could cause you to get into an accident and get injured badly.

It is very important to maintain your vehicle in order to ensure proper running condition and to maximize the life of your vehicle. Below is a list of auto maintenance services and explanations of what each service entails and why it is necessary for your vehicle. For more information about the auto maintenance services required for your specific vehicle, consult your owner's manual.

Perhaps one of the most important car maintenance tips is to keep an eye on your engine oil level. This is very important as low oil levels can damage your car's engine and cost you big money. All you need to do is open up the hood of your car and find the dipstick. Pull it out and wipe it off with a clean rag and then reinsert it and remove it to check the level. There will be a full mark on the stick, so make sure that the oil is on this mark. If not, add oil until you reach the full mark and be careful not to overfill it. You need to have your oil and filter changed every 5,000 miles if you use conventional oil.