Keeping up with your car maintenance can be a real drag. Changing the oil every 5,000 miles and rotating the tires can be annoying—we get it. But paying a little bit here and there to keep major repairs at bay is completely worth it. And if you have an older vehicle, each day you can extend your car’s life is a win.
A little extra effort can go a long way toward curbing the repair costs of your vehicle maintenance. Here are 4 car maintenance tips that can delay or even prevent the need to pay for a big fix to your ride.
Don’t Skip Scheduled Car Maintenance Services
Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual and find out when your recommended car maintenance services should be scheduled. Usually, basic car maintenance involves checking or replacing parts like spark plugs, wires, fluids, and serpentine belts. Scheduling maintenance services through your dealer may be best.
Read Your Owner’s Manual
Your owner’s manual will tell you when your recommended services should happen. It contains a great deal of other helpful information, as well.
Get Your Oil Changed
If your car uses conventional motor oil, it likely should be changed every 3,000 miles or 3 months.
If your car has synthetic oil, it likely should be changed every 5,000-10,000 miles or 6-12 months.
As we move further away from the days of conventional motor oils, most newer vehicles no longer have to have an oil and filter change every 3,000 miles. High-efficiency engines and high-quality oil have changed the way we approach this service. Some vehicles don’t have to get an oil change more than once every 7,000 – 10,000 miles. Due to how efficient engines and motor oils have become, commonly-held advice may not be correct anymore.
Check Your Tire Pressure
Checking your tire pressure is important for your safety as well as overall maintenance. If your car doesn’t have a tire pressure sensor or TPMS, invest a few bucks in a tire gauge and check your tire pressure regularly. Having the right tire pressure helps to improve fuel efficiency and control regular tire wear. Good tire pressure will also help you know if your vehicle is correctly aligned. Don’t forget to check the spare tire!