When you’re a parent, keeping up with kids, work, and house is such a chore that you can neglect the maintenance on your car. It’s easy to put it on the back burner when the car is running well, but to keep it running well you have to do your part. Here are a few tips that you can use to keep your vehicle running well so that you can depend on it all year long.
Perform a Walk Around Inspection of Your Car When You’re Getting Gas
Most people fill up on the weekend, so use this time to check out your car. Make a point to take a few extra minutes to do a quick inspection. Look at your tires. Check the pressure at least once a month, but watch for signs of wear or uneven tread. Empty the trash out of your car while you’re at the gas station. Keeping the inside of your vehicle clean is important to its resale value and to your own pride in your ride. Once a month, you need to make a point to check the antifreeze, oil, and any other fluids that could be getting low.
Regular Maintenance
Keeping your car working its best requires regular oil changes and maintenance. You just cannot ignore it. Spending $25 for an oil change is much better than spending $250 or more to repair the engine because the oil wasn’t lubricating the parts right. When you take your car in for an oil change, the technician checks all the fluid levels and typically tops them off if they’re low. Click here to find a shop in your area.
Use Technology
Newer cars have sensors that help you remember to get your oil changed or check the pressure of your tires. If your car doesn’t have this technology, there are plenty of apps that you could download to send you a reminder. If you use a day planner, make a note in your to-do list each month. Some companies send reminders to have your tires rotated and checked. You depend on your car for so much, that if you don’t take care of it, you’ll be staying at home until it is fixed. Don’t forget to include the big things, getting your brakes checked or transmission flushed, whatever is recommended for your car. Click here to find apps that work for car maintenance.
Always Go to the Same Shop
Take your vehicle to the same oil change shop or mechanic for work. They’ll get to know you and your car. You’ll learn more about taking care of your particular vehicle because they’ll feel comfortable talking to you about problems that they are seeing. You get better customer service and your car will be better maintained when you know what to expect and trust the people taking care of your vehicle. Click here for preventative car maintenance.
Maintain Your Vehicle
Today’s cars are made to last longer than their predecessors, but they do need care to make them last. There are a lot of things that you can do to protect your investment in your vehicle, but you do need to make it a priority. Taking just a few minutes each week to keep your car clean and to watch for problems will keep your car reliable and dependable, so that you can count on getting to your destination every time.
Photo Credit: Flickr via Creative Commons
Do you follow the manufactures maintenance recommendations on your vehicles?
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