Your car gets you safely everywhere you want to go, but it requires that you take good care of it in order to keep it running as you expect. Taking care of your car is as important for keeping you on the road and getting where you want to go as it is for your safety. Neglecting some of these simple maintenance issues can actually result in an accident or injuries. Take the time to make sure these 10 items are checked regularly and maintained as needed and avoid a potential accident or insurance claim.
1. The Oil
The oil in your car keeps everything running smoothly, and your car can’t run without the right level of oil. You can check your oil level by yourself easily by simply pulling out the dipstick and seeing where the oil level is. You should take your car in for an oil change on a regular basis as recommended by your vehicle manufacturer or mechanic. Oil changes are one of the most basic car maintenance procedures and checking your oil an easy way to catch leaks.
2. The Tyre Pressure
A tyre pressure gauge is an affordable and easy to use tool that can prevent a flat tyre or worse. Tyres that are improperly inflated can cause blowouts that lead to accidents. They can also find you stranded on the side of the road. Additionally, the wrong level of inflation affects your fuel efficiency. It’s important to check them regularly and also be aware that the right tyre pressure changes based on the outside temperature. Check with the tyre manufacturer for the right pressure.
3. The Brakes
Don’t wait for that screeching sound that tells you the brake pads are getting old. Having your brakes checked regularly by a professional keeps your car safe and on the road. You depend on your brakes to stop your car and prevent an accident, so don’t take them for granted. It’s best to have a professional check your brakes as part of regular maintenance.
4. The Power Steering Fluid
If you have ever driven a car without power steering, then you know how important it is to check this. Without it your power steering could fail, making it harder to control your car. Like your oil, you can check and refill this one yourself, so make it a habit.
5. Wheel Alignment
While you will probably notice if your alignment is getting bad, it’s a good idea to have it looked over regularly, as it impacts the way your car handles on the road. Get your alignment adjusted as needed to ensure your car will steer and react the way you want it to when you need to move quickly.
6. The Antifreeze/Coolant
In Australia we have large variation in temperatures. Going to the snow in winter? You will need to make sure that you have enough antifreeze in your car to make sure it can run properly. Cold temperatures are hard on your car. On the reverse side of that coin, coolant is also an important fluid to check on your car. As we all know, the temperatures can be extreme in Australia. Keeping your car running smoothly relies on the right levels of the correct fluids it needs.
7. The Tyre Tread
It’s not just the pressure in your tyres that matters. Your tyres depend on the tread to give you traction on the road, and it’s especially important in slippery conditions. Look for signs of wear in your tyres and also look for any bulges or odd lumps that could indicate a problem. Low tread or bulges in the tyres can cause slipping or a blowout on the road, and lead to an accident.
8. The Air Filter
A clogged air filter will cost you in fuel consumption, and it’s bad for the car as well. It costs very little to get it checked and replaced as needed, so make it a regular part of your car maintenance routine. The Garage on Gibbes will check it for you when they change your oil.
9. The Transmission Fluid
Your transmission failing while driving is not something you ever want to experience. Make sure that the transmission fluid is always at a good level and is changed periodically to make sure your car can change gear smoothly and keep you in control of the car at all times.
10. The Lights – All of them!
Having any of the lights on your car not functioning properly is dangerous and an offence. Be sure to check your indicators, brake lights, reversing lights and of course your headlights on a regular basis. Although you are likely to catch a headlight that is out, you could easily miss a brake light or tail light that doesn’t function correctly. These things are vital to letting other vehicles know where you are and what you are doing or about to do thus preventing accidents. You could also be fined and lose points for having a malfunctioning light.
Keep your car in good running condition and it will keep you safe and in control on the road. It takes a short amount of time to check these important functions, but can save money, fuel, and even lives in the long run.