8 Things In Your Car That You Should Check Regularly

Your car needs fuel just like your body needs food and water. Your car needs rest, just like your body does. Your car also needs regular checkups and cleanings, just like your body does.

There are certain parts of your car that needs more regular checkups and others that need to be checked once a year or every other year. Here is a list of things you should check regularly on your vehicle.

1. Tires

Check your tires regularly. Check the tread to make sure you’re not driving on bald tires. Especially if you live in a place that has snowy and icy winters, this is really important because driving on the ice and snow wears down your tires more quickly than on a dry road.

 

Check the tire pressure regularly. You can go into a tire shop or you can check the pressure at most gas stations yourself. With extreme weather, tires will lose pressure and you without the right amount of pressure, you may end up with a flat tire.

2. Brakes

Every time you take your car in for a tune-up or to change the oil, get the brakes checked. This is one of the most important safety measures your car has built in, so you want your brakes to run well. If you ever hear any grinding sounds, it’s time to get your brakes checked or replace the brake pads.

3. Oil

This one seems obvious, but some people total their cars because they take too long in between an oil change. It’s a simple and quick thing to take it to get changed to avoid tragedy in the future. Most manufacturers recommend between 5,000 – 7,500 miles between oil changes.

4. Engine

There are multiple facets to your car’s engine, so it’s important to have your engine checked regularly. Check your owner’s manual for the recommendations for how often to check the engine. Some auto parts shop will check your car’s engine for free or you can use a car monitoring system to check it yourself.

5. Alignment

Get the alignment of your tires checked annually. A great time to do this is when you buy new tires or when you get your tires rotated. You should do a rotation at least once per year.

6. Fluid Levels

A functioning cooling system is crucial to a reliable car during all seasons. Have the antifreeze/coolant checked at least twice per year, preferably before winter and before summer. Your power steering fluid needs to be checked less regularly, once every three years or as warnings arise. Windshield wiper fluid levels should always be full. You should check transmission fluids once every year. Keep an eye on battery fluid and change your battery every three to five years.

7. Air Filter

Your engine’s air filter needs to be changed between 15,000 and 30,000 miles, depending on where you are driving. If you drive on unpaved roads, the air filter can get dirtier and might need to be changed more often.

8. All Lights

You should regularly check all lights on your car to make sure they are functioning properly and providing enough light for you and other people in cars driving around you. This includes blinker lights, headlights, taillights, dashboard lights, and dome lights. Read your owner’s manual to know how best to proceed with keeping your car well-lit and to make sure you’re checking all lights that your vehicle has.

 

Make sure to be aware of your car’s needs and to just be checking regularly to keep it running well and functioning great.