A little maintenance on your car can save you hundreds of dollars, hours of time, and so much of the stress involved with having a car problem. Taking some time to do some simple checks and replacements make a big difference. Many checks can be done safely and for free! Though some may require a specialist, you can at least shop around for some deals, such as these smog coupons Sacramento. But what maintenance checks can you do by yourself? Read on to find out!
Health Checks
You can do a vehicle health check all on your own with the help of a handy OBDII Monitor. A vehicle health monitor can save you at least $100 on a trip to a mechanic because it helps you decode engine error codes and keeps you updated on your engine well-being with regular alerts. And it will let you know if something is wrong, so you can take the car in before it becomes a disaster.
Oil Checks
You can check oil levels all on your own. All you have to do is make sure your car is parked, turned off, and cooled off. Then you lift the hood and find the dipstick, usually on top of your oil tank. Pull the dipstick out and wipe it off with a towel or a rag. Then put it back in and pull it out again. It should be from L to F. Then you know if you need to top off the oil or if it’s time to change it.
Tires
If you live in an especially hot or an especially cold place, your tire pressure can fluctuate a lot. Check your manual to see what level your tire should be filled and then use a tire gauge to make sure it meets those levels. All you have to do is take the cap off your tire and then place the pressure gauge on the valve stem and press down so that it stops letting out air. Then it will do a reading. If your tires are low, you can fill them up for free at most gas stations or for less than $1. Underinflated tires are a huge risk to drive on, so doing this yourself can save you money and stress from a crash or a tire blowout.
Windshield Wiper Fluid
This is one of the simplest and quickest fixes you can do yourself. If you run out of windshield wiper fluid only costs a couple dollars and it’s a quick fix if you run out. Just lift the hood, located the cap that is usually yellow or a lighter color with a windshield icon. Fill it until it’s full, and you’re done!
Lights
Regularly do checks to make sure your headlights, taillights, brake lights and any other necessary lighting on your car are functioning properly. If you notice any lights are dim or out, you can purchase a bulb for a few dollars and replace it yourself following instructions in your vehicle’s manual. If that seems daunting, you purchase the bulbs for yourself and then many dealerships and aaa auto body shop in Campbell, CA will install the light for free.Keeping your car clean, filled with gas, and maintained will save you hundreds of dollars in the end. Taking a few minutes regularly here and there can save you hours of stress and time in auto body shops. It’s worth it to keep you comfortable and safe!
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
Thanks for explaining how to do a health check of our vehicle so we can take it to a mechanic if we find that anything’s wrong. My sister is planning on buying a vehicle with modern safety features next month and wants to put in the effort to keep it in top condition. The info in your article should help her develop a good plan for having the car serviced in the future.