Media post: Basic Car Maintenance You Can Do at Home
Sometimes, you can avoid needing a car crash lawyer pretty easily while on the road. Paying attention to your surroundings, driving defensively and reacting appropriately to emergencies are all just a few examples. Some accidents don’t happen because of poor driving, though; they’re caused by the vehicle itself.
Check Windshield Wipers
You only need to replace your windshield wipers once a year or so, but it doesn’t hurt to check them or even clean them with a damp cloth when you get an extra second. You can also bring another cloth if you’d like so you can clean the bottom of the windshield as well since a lot of debris can get caught down there.
During the fall, you’ll need to check every now and then to make sure no leaves got caught in the blades, and you may need to adjust the way they sit during the winter so they don’t freeze. When it is finally time to replace your wipers, do both at a time even when only one looks like it needs it.
Change Oil
After you’ve driven anywhere between three and seven thousand miles, you need to change your car’s oil. This is a pretty simple process if you have an extra thirty minutes and don’t mind getting a bit dirty. You’ll need to get under the car, though, so only do this if you’re comfortable doing that.
Once under the car, find the bolt and place something to catch the oil under it before removing said bolt. You can then crawl out from under the car for a bit while the old oil drains out. This is the perfect time to change the oil filter, so make sure you have one on hand before replacing the bolt. Slide your catcher over to the old filter and remove it.
Place a thin layer of new oil on the fresh filter before screwing it into place and finally replacing the bolt. Then, just pour new oil into the appropriate slot. As you do this, watch for any oil leaks and deal with that immediately before it becomes a massive headache.
Consider Other Fluids
Oil is the most well-known vehicle fluid that needs to be changed. However there are many more that shouldn’t be neglected. For example, windshield wiper fluid has multiple formulas and you may need to change which is in your car based on the season.
Special formulas work for below-freezing temperatures while some are only rated to be used at freezing. If you’re not sure what type is in your car, consider swapping it when winter hits.
Transmission fluid, which needs to be changed every twenty to forty thousand miles or so, makes changing gears easier and is another fluid vital to your vehicle’s function. Other fluids to keep an eye on include the brake fluid, coolant and power steering fluid.
Wash it
Washing your car is an often overlooked part of maintenance, but ignoring it can have some consequences. It can lead to paint being stripped away, rusting or even having parts of the car completely eaten away if left for too long. How often your car needs to be washed at a car wash will vary based on the season.
If you live in an area that gets a lot of pollen during spring or plenty of snow or ice in winter, then you’ll need to wash your car more often during those seasons. You also should wash your car by hand every once in a while to get the places missed by the wash. This includes the inside of your car, from the windshield to the floor mats.
Examine Your Brakes
You need to check your brakes every so often, but exactly how often varies. However, they’re so vital that it’s probably a good idea to do so at the same time you check your tires. If they look thin, replace them immediately. The main way you’ll detect brake pad problems is by driving, though.
If there are unusual sounds, vibrations, pulling to one side when braking or any other strange things going on when you brake, check them as soon as you can. If you’re comfortable with it, you can change your brake pads yourself, though a mechanic can easily do so for you for a small fee if you’re not.
Inspect Your Tires
You need to inspect your tires at least once a month and/or before long trips. You’ll be mainly looking at the tread and pressure, but any other noticeable defects or problems should also be addressed.
If the tread on your tires is too worn out, you will struggle to get traction on the road. This could make your car more likely to slip and lose control, especially during or after bad or wet weather. Despite how important it is, there really isn’t a unique tool to check the tread. Instead, you just use a penny or a quarter. Stick it upside-down into the grooves between the tread. If you can’t see the forehead of the person on the coin, the tread is fine.
If you can, the tires need to be replaced. Sometimes, though, tires will have uneven wear on their treads. Some of this can be remedied by switching the front tires to the back and vice versa. Other times, it’s caused by another issue that needs to be looked at by a mechanic, especially if there’s no clear pattern.
You should also check the pressure of your tires. Get a pressure gauge and remove the valve cap on the first tire. Quickly place the pressure gauge onto this valve and wait for the hissing noise (which is expected) to stop and then read what it says.
Overinflated tires are an easy fix: remove the valve and let some air escape. Check the pressure again until it either reaches or falls below the recommended pressure and then put the valve back on. Underinflated tires can be remedied at nearly any gas station.
