10 Basic Car Maintenance Tips

When you purchase a new car and drive it off the lot, the last thing you are generally worried about is a need for costly repairs. If you take care of your vehicle and keep up with maintenance, you can avoid many major problems down the road. Fail to take care of routine issues and your new vehicle will not stay that way for long.

So, what do you need to do to keep your new car running right? The following are the top 10 maintenance tips to help you keep your vehicle on the road and out of the shop:

Keep up with your tires - While your tires will not directly impact your engine, they can have a big effect on your wallet. Make sure to keep them properly filled and do inspect the treads on a regular basis. To avoid unbalanced wear, make sure to have them rotated at least every 5,000 miles. Replace as needed.

Inspect belts regularly - The belt system in your car helps such things as your alternator and air conditioning compressor operate correctly. When these break, they can cause costly damage. To avoid this,
inspect them regularly for wear. If they are showing signs, go ahead and replace them before they become a problem.

Inspect fluids regularly - Keep up with oil, water, power steering fluid and other important liquids in your car. Check them regularly and have them topped off or replaced as needed.

Use the right gasoline - Pay attention to your manual and only use the recommended gasoline. Using super when the car calls for regular will not give you better performance. You only need to use what the maker suggests for the engine.

Go in for routine maintenance - Make sure to go in for regular oil changes and other routine maintenance as spelled out in your owner manual. Even if your vehicle is operating fine, these appointments can be vital for preventing major problems later.

Protect your electrical system - Any time you plan on performing work on your car that involves the electrical system, protect your investment by disconnecting the battery. For example, if you plan to add an aftermarket radio system, this is a good time to pull the battery.

Protect your paint job - Keep up with basic outside maintenance such as washing and waxing the paint. This can prevent rusting and help keep scratches down to a minimum.

Pay attention to warning lights - Do not ignore dashboard warning lights if they come on. Take your vehicle in to find out the source of the problem.

Inspect exterior lights frequently - Take the time to check signaling, brake lights and head lights on a regular basis. When these lights fail, driving your vehicle can be dangerous. Be sure to inspect these at least once or twice a month if not more frequently.

Change filters when necessary - Keep up with filter changes to avoid system clogs. Filters to watch include fuel and air.

When the right steps are taken on maintenance, your new vehicle can continue to run right for a very long time. Taking evasive maneuvers can also save you money and spare you hassles down the road.

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