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Things You Should Always Check On Your Car For Potential Problems

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Keeping a car in good running shape involves effort. You can extend the longevity of your vehicle by doing routine car maintenance. Nevertheless, you don’t have to be a mechanical genius to achieve this. All you have to do now is make a car maintenance checklist. Then you may rest easy knowing that you won’t forget anything since you have your list.

The question now is, what should you put on your list? Here are some of the easy checkups you should add to your list.

Check Engine Light

Once the check engine light comes on, it’s a little scary because it doesn’t provide you with any other information. So what was the implication of such small light? The check engine light indicates that your vehicle’s electronic control system has encountered a malfunction that it cannot resolve. If you see this flickering, you should immediately lookup for “car repair near me.”

Oil and Coolant Levels

It is advisable to examine both the oil and coolant levels while the engine is still cold. All you need to do is peek beneath the hood of your vehicle. You can do this at least once a month, or every few fuel fill-ups, and even more so before all your long drives. Consequently, if left unmanaged, low levels of either might cause engine troubles. To find both on your car model, refer to your owner’s manual. Or better yet let the experts take care of it and refer to an auto repair shop.

Tire Pressure and Tread Depth

You need to check your tire pressure once a month, and before long travels or moving heavy loads. Having a tire pressure gauge in your car is convenient. During the colder months, every decrease of 10 degrees results in a one-pound drop in tire pressure. Moreover, you also need to examine the tire’s treads to ensure they are not too scuffed. For this car check-up, the “Toonie Test” or “penny method” is a wonderful way to figure out whether you require new tires.

Headlights, Turn Lights, Brake, and Parking Lights

The headlights and taillights of your vehicle must both work properly. Look for a blown fuse if your car’s lights go out. If that isn’t an issue, you should consider going to a car repair shop and replacing the light as soon as possible. Driving with malfunctioning or broken lighting is dangerous and you may face a fine. Make it a habit to inspect your car’s lights for proper functionality regularly.

Transmission Fluid

Transmission fluid is a lube that aids in the effective operation of all the working components within your transmission. Checking your transmission fluid will not require the services of a car mechanic. Leave the car in park with the engine running, and if the liquid level appears low, add the appropriate type of transmission fluid. You can refer to your car’s manual for this information.

Battery and Cables

To start, your car needs a battery to run. High heat has an impact on your battery’s function, so inspecting it on a regular basis will guarantee that it works well.  Additionally, check that the battery is mounted securely and corrosion-free. Also, make sure that cables are fastened tightly.

Belts

Timing and serpentine belts are complicated to remove and replace, thus it is best to leave them to a mechanic. What you can do is visually examine the belt to ensure that it is free of crack formation and some other signs of tear. If any of these are visible, you should probably start looking for “auto repair near me.”

Brakes

Let’s say, you’re on a road trip to California, you’re almost there but you notice that your brakes seem to be off. What would you do? It’ll be easy to look for “auto repair California” to fix the problem. Your car’s brakes are by far the most critical safety system. Before you get to this point, make sure to regularly check all components of the braking system.

Spark Plugs

The spark plug’s life depends on the age of your engine. And although your car may still run with a dead plug, you probably fail the emission test. Moreover, spark plugs play an important role in engine efficiency. However, it can be susceptible to buildup that ultimately affects overall performance.

Takeaway

Regular car maintenance and check-ups can save you money and time. In addition, it can help your vehicle last longer. Even so, if you notice that auto maintenance is getting more frequent, it may be time to upgrade to an automobile that is easier and cheaper to maintain.