At the very least, your car gets you where you need to go. To keep that important function working, regular car maintenance is necessary. Start with your OWNERS MANUAL for finding out what, and sometimes how, to maintain your specific vehicle.
Step one: find and READ your owner’s manual.
If you cant find it, Google it online. (I recommends Googling things. You can find out how to do or fix almost anything on the web. Since LifeSkill Secrets is all about self- care, if you aren’t a champion Googler, get started).
Step two: Make a list of regular care and how often to check
Start with the list below or basic car maintenance. Use it with the owners manual to create for own car maintenance checklist and schedule.
What YOU can do
- Regularly inspect for anything not right or not working- at least once a month:
- tail lights
- headlights
- turn signals
- license readable
- tires air and tread.
- Check fluid levels for:
- antifreeze
- power steering
- coolant
- wiper fluid (learn to change this or find someone do it FOR FREE).
What you may want a mechanic to do
By all means do these you want to and are able!
LifeSkill Secret
Check oil and change it (or get it changed) regularly- anyone who knows car care will tell you that this is the single best investment into the life span and health of your car.
- Check your battery and clean contacts if necessary. If you don’t know how to do this, you can ask your service people to check it- especially before winter and before summer along with the fluid levels.
- Put on new windshield wipers when streaky.
- Replace cabin air filter, more often and especially if you have allergies.
- Replace engine air filter regularly- more often if a lot of stop/start commuter driving- If you trust your car care people, have them check it when making oil changes. Most good mechanics will anyway.
- Get tires rotated and balanced and alignment checked.
- Check and replace spark plugs.
- Check belts (timing and serpentine).
Keep it clean
- Regularly clean the outside- more often if exposed to snow or salt.
- Clean the inside of the car: the windows, dash, controls, seats, carpet and trunk.
LifeSkill Secrets:
KNOW what the warning lights are on your dashboard and what it means when they light up.
NEVER ignore a leak of any fluid
NEVER ignore a sound that doesn’t sound right
ENGINE LIGHTS SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED. Often all you need to do is check that the gas cap is on tightly. If that doesn’t make the laugh go off, it’s a good idea to have the car checked as soon as possible.
Step three: Put car maintenance on your calendar
Let’s be honest, we are all busy. Plan to get your car maintenance done regularly by putting it on your calendar. I don’t remember to get me oil changed it isn’t on my calendar. Each time you have it done, put the next time on the calendar. Twice a year plan to have things checked and fluids filled and have that on the calendar,too. Also, if you know when you are going to have car maintenance done, you can budget for it.
Happy Driving
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