Media post: Five Basic Things Every Car Owner Should Know
Vehicle Fluids
Your car is a finely tuned and well-oiled machine which means to run in the best shape possible you need to check on the various fluids your vehicle uses. You want to make sure they are filled to the proper levels. Here are the five most important fluids you should check on a regular basis:
- Engine Oil
- Coolant
- Power Steering Fluid
- Brake FLuid
- Windshield Washer Fluid
Engine Oil
You should be paying close attention to your engine oil since not only can the levels become low the oil itself breaks down over time which can lead to serious damage to your engine. Your vehicle’s engine is not a cheap item to fix either so it’s best to stay on top of any regular maintenance your engine needs. By staying on top of regularly scheduled maintenance you reduce the risk of causing damage to your engine and you’ll keep your vehicle running in tip-top condition. How often you need your oil changed depends on several different factors like the year of your vehicle and the type of oil it consumes, which could be full synthetic or semi-synthetic. And what about change intervals? The Service Department at Robert Loehr Dodge, Jeep, Ram (Cartersville, GA) says depending on your vehicle you could need your oil changed every 3,000 miles or three months, every 6,000 miles or six months, or every 12,000 miles or a year.
Windshield Wiper Blades
If you’ve ever driven in the rain with old worn-out windshield wiper blades then you understand the necessity of having them replaced when the time comes. It’s best to check on your windshield wiper blades every six months or so instead of just waiting until a nasty rain storm reminds you that your wiper blades are not performing at there best.
Spare Tire
While most newer cars come with run-flat tires it is still important to know where your spare tire is or if you even have a spare tire. Some vehicles now come with a spray that is supposed to allow you to be able to drive on the tire until you can take it to be fixed or replaced. If you do have a spare tire however, it is best to familiarize yourself with the where everything is you need to replace a tire, like where the jack is. Once you know where everything is you should take your tire on and off at least once so you have first-hand knowledge on how to replace a tire. This will save you some time and angst when you find yourself on the side of the road with a flat tire. It’s important to remember that if you ever have a tire you should not keep driving on it and should pull over as soon as possible. Driving on a flat tire will damage your wheel as well which will make for an even heftier repair bill.
Headlights and Taillights
Just like any other bulb, the lights in your headlights and taillights can become dimmer over time and even go out. So it’s a good idea to test all of your lights every once and a while to make sure they are all working in the proper order. Not only can it be extremely dangerous to be driving around without a certain set of lights it will also get you pulled over by the cops.
