6 Basic Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Car in Good Condition

Patricia Strasser
SubmitYOURArticle.com
February 9, 2011

Buying a car costs a significant amount of money and it also requires proper knowledge of basics car maintenance to keep it running well. Properly maintaining your car will help you save on costly car repairs and keep yourself from getting stuck in the middle of the road at the wrong time. Here are some tips on making sure your automobile is in great working order:

Check your tires every week

As a safety measure and to maximize your car's mileage, it is important to check the condition of your car's tires weekly. Refer to your manual for the recommended tire pressure and check that yours are sufficiently inflated. Look out for possible damages and tears, and replace your tires when the tread is worn. Occasional rotation of certain tires may also help prevent wear and tear. Remember to include your spare tire during checkups so that it will be in good condition when you need it.

Regularly check your oil and other fluid levels

Consistently monitoring the levels of your car's engine oil, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid, coolant and power steering fluid will keep you from spending so much on repairs and will help keep the vehicle run smoothly. To help keep your engine in top-notch shape, fluid levels should be kept at the recommended levels indicated in the manual, so be sure to refer to it. You can do the regular checkups yourself or go to your nearest and trusted service center. For added convenience, some prestigious car service centers such as peugeot service center will pick up vehicle from your home or workplace.

Have oil and filter changes at 3,000-mile intervals

To ensure you don't drive an engine that isn't working properly, have your oil and filter changed regularly. Car companies recommend that oil and filter changes for diesel engines should occur every 6 months or every 3,000 miles, while gasoline engines can have it every 7,500 miles or annually. However, for better protection, changing oil every six months is recommended. Failure to change oil regularly may cause increased smoke emission, wear, and other engine troubles. To increase the service life of your engine, you need to change oil filters regularly as metal particles can accumulate on it.

Always pay attention to the warning lights on your dash board

The warning lights in your dashboard may indicate something faulty with your car so it is a basic precaution to always take notice of it. The lights may remind you when your car fluids get dangerously low.

Change defective bulbs immediately

Inspect the lights in your interior and exterior to make sure they are functioning properly. Make sure all the components of your car's lighting system are working well. In order to avoid accidents and traffic tickets, replace any defective bulbs right away. Be careful to closely follow the directions to guarantee appropriate replacement of the bulbs.

Window wipers have to be checked twice every year

Windshield wipers are vital because they allow you to see clearly during different weather conditions. At least twice a year, check your wipers in front and at the back. If you see any wear in the rubber, change the blades as soon as possible.

Some other tips you can do to keep your car in good working order is to get minor problems fixed promptly, use only original parts for your vehicle, and undergo a routine evaluation of your car by a mechanic every year.

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