Your car requires maintenance to keep from breaking down. A lot of us don’t even know that we’re neglecting our cars! Failure to maintain your vehicle will decrease its longevity, and end up costing you a LOT in the long run. Preventing car problems costs a whole lot less than repairs. Take our advice, and follow these tips to keep your car kicking!
Don’t Ignore That Check Engine Light!
“It’s fine” is probably the worst thing you can say about your vehicle’s check engine light. Some cars (especially newer ones) may extremely vigilant sensors that let you know the second something is even slightly wrong. But you’re doing yourself a disservice if you ignore this. The sooner you catch a problem, the easier (and ultimately cheaper) it is to resolve!
Keep Those Tires In Tip-Top Shape
Changing your tires before they go bald is critical if you want your car to run right. You want to keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressure (generally that’s somewhere around 35 PSI). Rotate them as the owner’s manual recommends. Your tires are so, so important: they affect your fuel economy as well as how your car handles, brakes, and accelerates. So take good care of them!
Working Windshield Wipers
You might be quick to overlook your windshield wipers, but our advice is don’t. Your vehicle wouldn’t pass inspection in a lot of states without wipers in good condition. Flip your wipers up off the windshield during freezing temps and make sure to replace your windshield wipers every now and again.
Fresh & Clean
Keeping your car clean isn’t only a good idea for your own comfort—it’s also a really good idea for resale value. Both the interior and exterior of your vehicle should be thoroughly cleaned as frequently as once a month. Go to the car wash, get out the vacuum, and splurge on an air freshener. The difference will be astounding.
