There is just something about this time of the year. The temperature is much warmer, the skies just seem clearer, the daytime is much longer, and there is a certain energy in the air that screams happiness. There is also something about the warmer months that gives our vehicle a break. A break from the freezing temperatures, a break from terrible road conditions, a break from bad weather impacting driving ability, and a break from the time spent getting a vehicle ready in the cold.
So now that your vehicle has gone through all of the trauma and bad weather, it’s now time to reward it by getting it ready to shine in the sun and ride with the cool breeze. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a quick car maintenance checklist of key elements to keep your car running smoothly throughout the warm weather ahead?
Your vehicle’s maintenance checklist should consist of all the necessary elements. However, you should always check your vehicle before you get in and drive to detect any major problems that may have erupted over the course of the last time you were in it.
Car Maintenance Checklist
So how do you know what are the most important things to check? You are in luck! We have compiled the following helpful car maintenance checklist:
Check and Change Your Car’s Oil – Getting an oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles is vital to maintain a vehicle in good running condition. Running your car for longer than the recommended amount of miles between oil changes breaks down the viscosity of your oil, making it a thin oil. This thin oil means there is more friciton between the engine parts and the metal in these these parts starts to wear down faster than usual or even chip away. These tiny particles will make your oil cloudy or dark – some mechanics call it dirty oil. Running thin or dirty oil is really bad for your engine.
Without clean oil, a vehicle can overheat, then over time, you will begin to break down other internal engine parts that are more expensive and an oil change, like pistons and tie rods. A new or even rebuilt engine’ can run you in the thousands. Regularly scheduled oil changes will help increase the life of your vehicle and will minimize the damage done to your engine by dirty or thin oil.
Check Other Vehicle Fluids – Other import fluids to check friction include; transmission fluid, brake fluid, antifreeze or engine coolant, windshield wiper fluid. These fluids serve their own unique purpose, similar to the engine oil. Getting these replaced according to your owners’ manual is important because they will wear thin or be consumed by using the vehicle which means you will have to top off the fluid to the recommended level.
Check the Tire Pressure on All Tires – Typically in the winter, a car’s tires become less filled with air as the cold air from the outdoors impacts the inside air pressure of the tires slowly when temperatures drop. In summer months, the heat expands the tires because the air inside the tire also heats up and expands. Also if a car has been sitting without being driven for several months, it is always a good idea to check the tire pressure on all four tires.
Check Your Car’s Windshield Wipers – If you have been caught in a rain or snow storm and your windshield wipers froze or were not able to clean your windshield to improve your visibility, then you know why this is included on our checklist. A good rule of thumb is to replace your wiper blades every 24 months but it’s always best to check your owner’s manual and use your better
Check Your Car’s Air Filter – If you have never checked your car’s air filter then you probably don’t know where it is and it’s time to change it. The air filter should be checked and changed according to your owners manual. This is one of the key components to assure your car’s efficiency in terms of the vehicle’s miles per gallon. With current gasoline prices, you may not want to overlook this as often as you used to.
Check Your Car’s Lights – Checking your car’s headlights, tail lights, and interior lights regularly will help prevent your vehicle from being pulled over by a public safety officer. It also helps keep you and your vehicle safe on the road.
It’s fairly simple to replace headlights, tail lights, and interior lights. the two best sources to learn how are your owners manual and YouTube. Before you begin it will be important to have the right tools. Be sure to check with your local hardware or auto parts store to get the tools you will need.
The Importance of A Car Maintenance Checklist
Now that the warmer months are upon us, it’s time to make your vehicle the talk of the road. Consistent weekly car maintenance checks will easily make your vehicle reliable. Too often car owners get their maintenance cleaned and taken in for inspection one time and then neglect to follow up in the coming months. maintenance vehicle is by far the quickest lessen your vehicle’s reliability and increase the cost of auto repairs because you neglected to conduct a regular maintenance check.
n If your vehicle has been neglected, then you may have to take it into a certified mechanic to have a full once over. There may be a few things that you will need to get done but we hope this list has provided you with a DIY car maintenance checklist to follow. After all, it’s a great feeling knowing your vehicle is dependable and in the best running condition possible.
However, if your car, truck or SUV is not safe to drive or maybe you just want the latest model, fill out the cash offer form or call us now for your cash offer on your used vehicle today!
