Numerous under-the-hood car parts, such as the transmission and battery, are always at work to keep us on the road. Regular car maintenance not only extends its lifespan but also improves safety. When operating smoothly, the engine and other parts of your automobile are under less stress. A well-maintained car can help you save money and time on the road. In light of that, here are some auto maintenance essentials:

Check the oil level.

Engine oil is the life of your engine. Since oil doesn’t wear out or leak in modern, well-maintained engines, checking oil involves looking for water and dirt, two things you don’t want your engine to be filled with. It is necessary to replace older engines since they can potentially burn oil (the oil can go into the cylinder and explode with the gas combination). As a result, you’ll also ensure the oil is FULL.

Inspect the batteries

You can also perform a fast automobile battery check under the hood. Car batteries are essential to operating a healthy car and are reasonably simple to test or replace with the correct procedures followed. In this instance, damage indicators to look out for include frayed wires, casing cracks, corrosion, filth, and other issues.

Inspect, adjust, and replace your tires.

Every tire needs to have its pressure checked, so even a quick walkaround can reveal whether any of the four tires have low pressure. Please make sure the treads are not excessively worn by thoroughly inspecting them. A tire pressure gauge in the car is a good idea as it provides a low-tech method of determining the exact amount of air within each tire.

Examine the other automotive fluids.

Other fluids that cars run on are also replaceable by hand. The simplest is washer fluid, which can run out rapidly in the winter and is relatively simple to top off.

It is also simple to quickly check the engine coolant, antifreeze, and steering fluid levels because they all come with gauges or dipsticks. Even if the owner’s manual doesn’t say precisely how to check or replenish them, you can at least become familiar with their locations and have a peek.

Since there is no standard mileage estimate for changing transmission fluid, manuals frequently omit this information; therefore, it is essential to check with an expert from D Wells Auto for advice.

The coolant and antifreeze have separate drains, but the chores of topping off and replacing/refilling them are not the same. It’s simple to top off if you get short, whether from a leak or something else. More labor will be involved to reach the fluid drain or flushing dates.

Replace the air filters.

You can also use your eyes and nose to determine how dirty or clogged the filters are. The filter needs a change if the air conditioning or heat is on and the cabin smells strange or musty. Try lifting the engine air filter toward a light source to inspect it. As a general guideline, replace it if you can no longer see any light through it.

The takeaway

Having a professional inspect your car now and then is advisable.

Paul Watson