Top 5 Car Maintenance Tasks: Show Your Ride Some Love

Car Maintenance Tasks

One of the hardest parts about owning a car is keeping it in a nice condition. Over time all sorts of things can happen to our cars, from accidents to spills inside to general wear and tear. That’s why it’s important that you show your car a little love from time to time and perform some basic maintenance tasks. If you’re unsure of where to start, these are the most important maintenance tasks that you should find time to do throughout the year.

Wash and Wax the Car

Image Source: Pexels

First, it’s a good idea to regularly give your car a good cleaning. Some of us assume that we don’t really need to wash our cars, as the rain will wipe away any of the dirt that’s on it. But if you leave dirt or grime on the car for too long, it can seep in deeper and even fade the paint color. By frequently washing your car you can not only make it look like new, but you can ensure that it stays that way for a long time.

Along these same lines, you should occasionally apply a coat of wax to your car. Wax will help protect your car against the elements, and make it look even better. Waxing a car yourself is a tough job, but not a particularly complicated one. If you don’t have the time to do it yourself, simply bring it to a good car wash and have them do it.

Check the Tires

Image Source: Wikimedia

Next up, you should give your tires a thorough examination. The tires on your car are likely to wear down the fastest, so keep an eye on them. According to this jeep dealer in Lexington, KY, you should “frequently rotate your tires after driving 5,000 to 8,000 miles, to prevent uneven tread wear. Also check for any bulges, bald spots, or incorrect tire pressure.” Doing so will help your tires to last longer, but also alert you to any issues before they become worse. For instance, if you notice a tire is starting to bald, you can have it replaced before you find yourself stuck on the side of the road with a flat.

Check Your Fluid Levels

Cars need all sorts of different fluids to operate properly. Checking these fluids is the most essential among car maintenance tasks. Engine oil, brake fluid, coolant, wiper fluid and more are all essential to a well-functioning car. However, over time some of these fluids may get used up, evaporate, or leak out. It’s important that you regularly check to see how much of each fluid your car has, and top off any that seem low.

Do you find yourself regularly needing to change any particularly fluid more often than you should. This is likely a sign of a leak. You’ll want to get this taken care of as soon as you can. Fixing it will not only save you money on fluids but also keep your car running.

For more information on how to check the fluid levels in your car, you can visit this guide.

Replace the Air Filters

Inside most cars there are a couple of air filters that your car needs to operate. These air filters allow air to get into the system while filtering out things like dust and other debris. However, these filters will become clogged over time, so it’s important that you replace them. Luckily, replacing the air filters within your car is typically easy and affordable. You may need a few tools to access your air filter. For example, if it’s inside the glove compartment – but it’s still pretty easy. Just make sure you find the right air filter for your car. And make sure you install it in the correct direction.

Wiper Blades

Finally, it’s a good idea to periodically examine your wiper blades. You don’t want to be driving home one day in the middle of a storm only to find out that your wipers are broken. By giving them a quick visual inspection you can ensure they’re still in good shape and not experiencing any problems. If you do need to replace your wipers, it’s easy to find a new pair online for your car and quickly snap the new ones into place.

Make Car Maintenance Tasks a Priority

Image Source: Pixabay

We know it’s easy to forget simple car maintenance tasks. But these small tasks can go a long way towards keeping your car running. Also, it helps in saving you a lot of money in the long run. If you don’t have time to do them all yourself, simply schedule an appointment with a trusted mechanic. Either way, just be sure you’re making car maintenance a priority and showing your car some love.