Trying to keep up with auto maintenance can be daunting at times. Having to change the oil every 5K miles, rotate the tires, and check all the fluids is a time-consuming and often frustrating process. While this is true, it is also necessary.
By paying some money now for these small maintenance tasks, you can avoid needing more serious and more expensive repairs in the future. Also, if you have an older vehicle, you can extend your vehicle’s longevity.
Inspect the Spare Tire
You must keep your backup tire inflated along with the four tires that are under your vehicle. The last thing you want is to find out that the spare tire is flat when you are pulling the jack out of the trunk. This is when you will be forced to call and pay for a tow truck, which may cost several hundred dollars.
Change Your Vehicle’s Oil
Did you know unchecked, unchanged oil in your vehicle can have a significant impact on the performance of your vehicle? Oil problems are some of the most expensive car maintenance issues that must be fixed because oil impacts many of your vehicle’s functions. You can easily and quickly check and have your oil changed and avoid wearing out your engine. Failure to do this may mean you have to invest in complete engine replacement, which can cost thousands of dollars.
Keep Your Battery Clean
Corrosion, which often looks like bluish or white powder, can develop on the battery’s terminals. If you don’t keep it clean, the battery may develop a crack, or it will stop functioning properly, which results in you being stranded. Since your car battery can cost more than $100, and a tow costs even more, purchasing a wire brush and keeping the terminals clean and corrosion-free is going to be money well-spent.
Replace Your Vehicle’s Brake Pads
Have you ever heard a squeaking sound when you press the brakes? If you do, it may mean your brake pads are on their last legs. Purchasing a new set of brake pads can cost several hundred dollars for the parts, and then there are labor fees if you can’t do this on your own. While this may seem like a high price tag, keeping your vehicle well-maintained and the brake pads working properly will ensure you can stop and avoid an accident when you are on the road.
Change the Air Filter
The air filter in your vehicle is designed to keep pollutants from getting through the vents. The air filter has a vital job, so you want to make sure you take care of it. If your air filter is dirty, you will have a hard time keeping your vehicle fuel-efficient. Since air is unable to pass through this filter, your engine will have to work harder. This results in more fuel usage.
A dirty air filter can also cause engine misfires. These misfires result from a change in the fuel/air ratio. Rather than dealing with these problems, you need to change your air filter routinely.
Invest in New Windshield Wipers
Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, purchasing new windshield wipers will cost between $30 and $60 for a pair. This is a low price when it comes to ensuring you can see what is in front of you when you are driving in the rain. If you are unable to see the road, you should not be driving.
Is Your Vehicle Well Maintained?
Is your vehicle properly maintained? If not, now is the time to take action and make sure your vehicle remains in good working condition now and in the future. If necessary, reach out to a mechanic who can help you with regular maintenance and keep your vehicle running properly.
Ashley Lipman is an award-winning writer who discovered her passion for providing knowledge to readers worldwide on topics closest to her heart – engineering. Since 2019, she continues to deliver awesome content on car care and performance for CARPRO.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.
