If you own a car you should know how to do more than just put gas in it. You should understand the important things that need to be done on a regular basis and when to do them. Things like oil changes and tire rotations. However, there are other regular maintenance tasks you should do a few times a year that are simple and take just a few minutes.
Replace Your Wiper Blades
Have you driven recently in the rain? When your wipers are on, do they skip across your windshield? Do they leave portions of your windshield still covered in water? If your wipers aren’t doing their job, it’s time to replace them. The sun and time deteriorate the rubber blades so you should replace them on a regular basis.
Top Off Your Fluids
You should know what color each of your car’s fluid should be, how to check their proper levels and know how to top them off safely. Proper fluid levels will keep your car healthy. Don’t think that adding new fluid to dirty fluid will help, you need to take that to your mechanic to get the fluid changed if it’s discolored.
Check Your Tire Pressure
Even if your tires don’t have a hole in them the tire pressure will fluctuate with the outdoor temperatures and they’ll lose air over time. You can check the pressure at home or at a filling station. Improper pressure leads to uneven wear, poor gas mileage and can impact your ability to stop quickly. Don’t forget about your spare tire too!
Replace Bulbs
If your headlights or taillights aren’t working, replace them. Head to your local automotive supply store and get the right one for your needs. That not only keeps you safe but helps you avoid a ticket.
Although checking your insurance card and registration aren’t really maintenance, you still should make sure yours is valid when you do your regular maintenance. You don’t want to be caught with expired tags or an invalid insurance certificate even if yours is current. When your car requires more than DIY regular maintenance, call Oldsmar Automotive at (727) 784-3501 for your appointment. We offer full-service repair and maintenance services. You can also stop by 3166 Tampa Road in Oldsmar.
Leave a Reply