No car owner likes to pay a hefty amount to a vehicle maintenance professional. This is precisely why it is essential to keep an eye on your car and take preventive measures, especially if you drive a car that is considered “old” according to modern standards. Learning DIY vehicle maintenance tips and tricks and conducting regular checks helps keep your vehicle in pristine condition and guarantees a smooth ride on the road. To help you out, in this blog, we have listed the three basic maintenance tasks that shouldn’t be overlooked at any cost. So, without any further ado, let’s begin.

1.    Inspection of the Engine Oil

Engine oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle’s engine. It is responsible for keeping the engine parts lubricated and reducing wear and tear. According to the general vehicle maintenance rule book, you should check the engine oil levels every two weeks. When doing so, look for two things, the health of the oil and the color of the oil.

If the oil color ranges from light brown to dark red, it means that the engine oil is healthy. However, if it is black, it’s time to get the engine oil replaced. Furthermore, in order to check the oil level on your vehicle, park it on a flat surface and use the dipstick to check the level of the oil – determine whether it is high, low, or medium.

Consult your vehicle’s owner manual to know how frequently the manufacturer suggests getting the oil replaced and servicing your vehicle. Note that most modern cars require an oil change every 3000 to 7000 miles.

2.    Maintenance of the Brake System

Responsible for your safety, the brakes are one of the most critical components of your vehicle. Therefore, you must always be aware of how your brakes sound or feel while you are driving. If you hear a strange noise every time you use the brakes, or they feel hard to press, a comprehensive vehicle maintenance appointment is what you need.

One of the easiest ways to identify a malfunctioning brake system is to keep an ear for the different sounds. Here are some common indicators of a failing brake system:

• Rattling: The sound of vibration or rattling means that the rotors of your car are worn out or warped and need to be replaced as soon as possible.
• Grinding: Even though it isn’t a normal sound, the grinding sound is a signal of rusted brakes. However, this normally happens when you park your car outside, as the high humidity levels cause rust to form on the rotors of the brake. The easiest way to stop the grinding sound is to park your vehicle inside when it’s humid, raining, or snowing.
• Intermittent Sound: In case the brake sound of your vehicle comes and goes, it is an indicator of fading brake pads due to overheating.
• Squealing: The squealing noise is an indicator of worn-out brake pads that run against the rotor and make your vehicle’s braking system vulnerable.

No matter the sound, we recommend taking your vehicle to a professional for a maintenance check-up before it’s too late. A new set of brake pads is a lot less expensive than servicing or replacing the rotors.

3.    Rotation of the Tires and Checking the Air Pressure

From keeping your car firmly planted on the road to controlling and enabling acceleration, braking, and safe turning, the tires play an instrumental role in how your car drives down the road. Driven over all types of terrains, worn-out tires increase the chance of getting punctured and even blowing out in bad weather. Therefore, make sure to check the pressure of your vehicle’s tire every two weeks. In case you don’t have a pressure gauge, we recommend buying one from any hardware store.

Little do people know that making sure your vehicle’s tire pressure is in line with the owner manual’s recommendation will save the tires from wear and tear and increase your car’s fuel efficiency, saving you money in the long run.

Contact Us to Schedule a Maintenance Appointment

Even though these might seem like neglectable tasks, overlooking them can destroy your vehicle’s driving quality. Therefore, it is imperative to take out time to take care of your car and find a reliable mechanic who can help you with routine vehicle maintenance. Doing so can not only prevent future problems but can also keep your car in the best shape possible, guaranteeing a profitable return at the time of resale.

Keep yourself satisfied and your vehicle running by following the above-mentioned three basic maintenance tasks that shouldn’t be overlooked guide to the tee.

Happy Driving!