Our cars are an important tool for our lives. They bring us to work, take the kids to school, and shuttle food home from the supermarket. With that said, it’s in our best interests to take care of our cars and make sure they are in the best shape to carry out their duties. Not all of us are mechanics but that doesn’t mean we are helpless when it comes to observation and simple maintenance of our vehicles. Today we are going to go over some quick and easy maintenance tips that will keep your car running smoothly and your daily life unobstructed.

 

Make Sure Tires Are Properly Inflated

 

This may seem like a no-brainer, but keeping an eye on your tires and tire pressure is extremely helpful when it comes to ensuring your car is road-ready. Low tire pressure or unevenly worn tires can lead to flat tires, blowouts, or even worse outcomes. Using a tire pressure gauge biweekly will help you keep your tires inflated to the proper manufacturer specifications. Being up close and personal with your tires will also give you the chance to see strange wear patterns or dangerous dry rot. Besides just increased safety, proper tire pressure will give you the best ride. You’ll reap the benefits of increased grip, better gas mileage, and smooth steering. With an investment of only 10 minutes a month, checking your tires gives you the best ROI (return on investment) in this list.

 

Stay Up to Date On Oil Changes

 

Changing your engine oil is a necessary evil as a car owner. For some drivers, engine oil is out of sight out of mind but there is a reason engine manufacturers suggest changing your oil every three to five thousand miles. Engine oil’s main purpose is to lubricate all the moving parts within our vehicles’ engines and decrease heat. Older engine oil becomes exponentially worse at dissipating heat and providing that all-important lubrication. Set yourself a reminder on a smartphone or keep track of your mileage, because although it is easy to overlook, proper oil maintenance can increase the life of your engine and help you keep overall engine repair costs to a minimum.

 

Check Visible Fluids

 

Car manufacturers have gotten smarter over the years and have made simple procedures easier for the end-user of their products. They have made engine bays well marked and most reservoirs translucent with clear fill lines on the sides. Even if you don’t know much about cars, by popping the hood on your vehicle and just having a quick glance around you’ll be able to see if anything needs to be refilled. Checking the fluid reservoirs is about taking an active role in understanding your vehicle and giving the engine compartment a visual inspection. By giving the engine compartment a quick once over you may notice things that can save you massive repair costs down the road. Although we have checking the fluids as number 3 on our list, it is equally as important as your tire pressure and oil changes.

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