These days, people’s lives are so hectic that they never seem to have the time to maintain their car. It’s a shame, because people could end up saving a lot of money and time by taking 10 minutes every now and then to do maintenance.
Here are the most common car maintenance mistakes you should try to avoid:
1) Tires not being properly inflated – First you will need a tire pressure gauge. You can get a reliable gauge for as little as $5. Then look on your tire for the recommended tire pressure. Then check your tire pressure.
Doing this process saves you a number of headaches. For starters when your tires are inflated to the correct PSI you actually burn less gas. In today’s economy that’s the one thing we are sure we don’t want to waste. Plus, you don’t have to buy new tires as often and most importantly an underinflated or overinflated tire does not perform at it’s best meaning it can be hazardous. They can blow out and can cause an accident. At the very least you’ll have to pay to repair or replace that tire. Note: A spare tire should only be used to drive to a repair shop. They are not meant to permanently replace the blown out tire.
2) Not checking fluid levels (or not checking them properly) – If your cat is an automatic, you should check fluids when they’re warm. Put the car in neutral, and make sure the parking brake is on. Your engive oil can be checked with the car warm, but make sure the car is turned off to do that. When it comes to radiator fluids, those should only be checked when the engine is cold. If you check them while the car is hot, pressure can build up in the radiator and cause severe burns.
3) Changing your own oil – At first it seems like a good idea, saving money by changing your own oil. But it actually isn’t worth it. First you have to raise your car, then drain the oil, which ends up being really messy. Then, you wind up having to dispose of the oil, which isn’t easy. You can’t just throw it in the trash.
Taking your vehicle to a lube shop is much better, because they check and top off everything, lubricate the chassis, and more, for one low price. If you do the math, not only is it cheaper, but it usually is finished in ten minutes, compared to the hours spent doing it on your own.
4) Failing to have the brakes checked or pads changed regularly – When you are driving down the street and apply the brakes do you ever hear a high pitch squeal? That sound is telling you that the brakes have worn down so much that they are scraping against the rotors and drums. Wearing them down to this point can cause and will cause damage the the drums and rotors. You’ll save a lot of money if you have your brakes checked rather than replacing the brakes pads, drums, and rotors on your car.
5) Not tightening the gas cap all the way – Sometimes people go to the shop thinking there is something wrong with their car because the check engine light is on. Then end up having to pay for a diagnosis, when the only thing that was wrong is the gas cap was loose. Always be sure your gas cap is on tight, so there is no air interfering with your fuel intake and causing the check engine light to come on.
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