Expert Contributor Written by Bill Fritsch Fritsch’s Service Station
The Best Habits for Car Maintenance
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ou may think that you only have to spend money on repairs for your car as they are needed, but more times than not, spending money on proactive maintenance now will actually save you money in the long run. The following habits for car maintenance will improve the lifetime of your car and save money on expensive repairs in the future.
Keep an Eye on the Gauges The gauges on your dashboard are the first signals of need, and you should take each signal seriously once you see it. Most importantly, keep your eye on the gas gauge and don’t let it get too low. Driving with low gas may damage the fuel pump, which could lead to a number of unexpected consequences.
Read the Owner’s Manual The owner’s manual will be the best resource for understanding which services are the most important for your car, and how each should be done.
In addition to the gas gauge, keep your eye on the temperature gauge. If it goes up to HOT, pull over and call for a tow truck. It may only be a bad hose, a simple fix, but if you keep driving the engine will overheat and very expensive repairs will be needed.
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The check engine light is the most serious signal of all. Once the light goes on, bring the car in and get it looked at. It could be simple, but the more you drive with that light, the more repairs will be needed. Change the Oil This is the number one basic service of them all. In the past it was common to change the oil and filter every 3,000 miles. Today, advances in engines and oil has manufacturers recommending 5,000 to 7,500 miles between changes. Make sure to check the owner’s manual for this information or ask your mechanic. Check the Tire Pressure You don’t need to check the tire pressure often. If you have a newer car the light will come on if you need to worry about it. Don’t panic on the few days when temperature dips down to the single digits. As we have explained in a previous edition, when the outside temperature drops so does the tire pressure, but it will restabilize once the temperature rises again. Be Battery Proactive Batteries normally last about five years. After the five years, test the battery and replace it if the results are low. If the engine cranks slowly when you turn the car on in the cold, you should bring it in for a check.
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The scheduled maintenance should not be the first time the temperature gauge, check engine light, and slow battery should be looked at. Simply put, the better you take care of your car, the longer it will last. M
