If you own a car, it can be tempting to ignore any kind of maintenance unless something becomes serious. We do not have to tell you that this is a bad idea. However, not many agree on what preventive maintenance is, what to do, and when you should do it. Let us clear everything and prepare some preventive maintenance checklists for a car.
Anyone who has ever worked on vehicles or spent a lot of money repairing their car will advise you not to ignore the common preventive maintenance checklists for a car. The basic things, like changing the oil, checking the pressure in tires, and arranging planned inspections are like getting routine checkups. These will keep your car in a healthy position and gives a chance to catch anything before it becomes a serious issue. You can save plenty of money too.
Common Preventive Maintenance Checklists for a Car
Wiper blades- They should be checked before the rain starts. Check the exterior of the wiper blades. Find out whether the rubber on the blade is intact and secure. If it is not, better change them immediately. Next, you should pour some water on the wind blade or push button on wiper blades so that the water gets distributed evenly on the windshield. Now, you need to check the performance of wiper blades while clearing the water. Did they clean the windshield efficiently and was the distribution of fluid even? Check whether the blades should be removed or not. Contact your owner’s manual for certain sizes, as many cars will need two different sizes of wiper blades.
Foot pedals- It is one of the important parts to be included in the preventive maintenance checklists for a car. It needs to be examined for uneven wear or for the missing rubber. Often ignored, foot pedals can collect the dirt and wreckage which can damage the contact surface between the shoe and pedal. Wipe pedals clean and you must not forget to vacuum the floor mats to eliminate dust. In addition, change any worn rubber surfaces over the pedals, as the metal placed below ca be slippery during icy or wet driving conditions. Replacement rubber can be bought at various vehicle-specific places.
Filters- There is an oil filter that should be changed every 3 months or 3,000 miles, but what needs to be done with an air filter? Air filters must be cleaned regularly and changed as per the manual. Drivers who drive along dirt roads, construction areas, or other dusty roads must vacuum their air filters on a weekly basis and change them frequently. Having a clean air filter is as essential as maintaining a good oil change/ replacing the filter. Once you have checked the air filter, the next thing that must be checked is oil. Keep a note of the color, level, and consistency. Also, inspect the engine block and check if there is any kind of oil leakage under the vehicle. If you find there is a leakage, be sure to schedule an appointment with a professional mechanic immediately.
Tires- Need both external and internal attention. On the external part, you must check all the tires thoroughly for any signs of screws, nails, or any kind of uneven tread wear. If you find any kind of screw or nail, do not try to remove it of your own. Take the vehicle to a nearby service station or a tire repairing workshop as soon as possible. Uneven tread wear requires to be addressed instantly so that the alignment of the vehicle is not disturbed. Never allow the tires to wear out till the silver part of the tire is visible. This is an indication of an accident going to happen. It is always suggested to rotate the tires every 12,000 miles and check the internal pressure of the tires on a weekly basis. Moreover, keep in mind to switch on the tires, if required.
Check the fluids- You must not forget to include checking the fluids in the preventive maintenance checklists for a car. Even if you do not ever learn how to alter your antifreeze, power steering, wiper fluid, or coolant, you must learn how to check fluid levels. In a few cases, you can see the tank level, but most of the cars come with dipsticks or gauges that you can pull out for checking the current level. Even if it is not mentioned in the owner’s manual about checking the transmission fluid, do not be scared to open the hood and check if you can see it. If you are running low, add more or better, change it. An important thing that you must keep in mind is never to ignore a leak.
Test your battery and clean the contacts, if necessary- These days, most of the batteries do not need much maintenance but make sure there is no leakage and there is no dirt or mineral accumulating on the contacts. If you find there are dirt or any mineral building up in the contacts, then clean it using a cleaning brush. It will cost you some bucks at a department store or automotive parts store. It is always better to purchase one and store it in the trunk. Also, buy a battery tester or a jump starter. With these things, you can avoid calling a mechanic or someone for help when your car battery gets drained.
Check your oil and change it daily- Whether your car has a dipstick to check the color and level of the oil, you must know how to check it. Knowing the major differences between muddy and clean oil will help you to save a lot of money on unnecessary things. It gives you a chance to understand if something is wrong with your engine. It is difficult to make a universal recommendation for how often you should change your oil. So, it is always suggested by experts to read what is mentioned in the manual. You should not blindly follow the myth, which says, 3000 miles is the maximum level to fill oil in a vehicle. There are many vehicles in which it can be as high as 10,000 miles, based on the oil.
Check your spark plugs- If your spark plugs get damaged, your car engine will stop working. That can not only cost you to spend money on fuel, but it can also cause a breakdown. It may sound scary, but in a few cases checking and replacing them is not that difficult. If you do not want to do it yourself, then it is better to follow your manual’s recommendation and get them altered frequently. This is one of the significant things that must be included in the preventive maintenance checklists for a car without a miss.
By checking these above-mentioned parts, you will not only ensure your safety but co-passengers also. Inspect your car regularly to make sure that it is in the right condition without any problem. Also, you must make sure to keep all the important documents related to repair and maintenance properly. This is an important step as it will be helpful when you sell your car in the future.
These are just a few things that are needed by every car and you can do most of the things yourself. To keep your car in good condition, always follow the things mentioned in your car’s manual.