A man’s car is usually their pride and joy, but whether they truly know how to take care of their most prized possession is another matter. For some, their car is an extension of the family, so keeping it in good shape is of high priority. Although it can often be costly and time-consuming to maintain a vehicle amongst running a house and taking care of the family, it’s certainly more cost-effective to allocate time to its upkeep rather than waiting for an issue to arise.

All car owners should get into the habit of maintenance, so here’s an essential checklist to keep your car performing at its best.

Change your oil every 5000-7000 miles

The oil in the car has a direct connection to its performance. Although it may be a task you put off or overlook, oil has the job of keeping the mechanics in your car running like clockwork, without grinding and causing a breakdown.

Oil relocates heat away from the combustion cycle and controls all the dangerous byproducts of combustion straight to the oil filter. If your car doesn’t have enough oil, it’s likely you’ll come to a halt when driving.

To make sure your car has enough oil, it would be best to get into the habit of checking it on a regular basis. All you need is a clean tissue, enough light to see underneath the bonnet and about five minutes to spare. There are various guides you can follow on how to change the oil in your car.

There are varying opinions as to the best time to change the oil. However, most would agree that every 5000-7000 miles would be ideal. If you prefer to do it yourself, it would be recommended to use a brand that has good reviews and recommendations, rather than a cheap and cheerful option. As an alternative, going to the garage to seek professional assistance will save you both time and stress.

Check your tire pressure

If your tire pressure isn’t correct (for example, under-inflated or over-inflated), you’re exposing yourself to issues such as poor braking and higher fuel consumption.  If your tires are inflated to the correct pressure, they’re likely to have a longer lifespan.

It’s best to check your tire pressure when the tires are cold, which is usually before you’ve driven around on them. If you have been driving and notice an issue, wait at least four hours before taking a reading. Failing to check could leave you stranded on the roadside if it’s flat or punctured. You should rotate your tires every so often, so they wear evenly, but if you are in need of a replacement, aim to do so quickly.

Replacing your full set of tires could cost you between $300-500, while a tire pressure gauge will cost you as little as $10. If you aren’t quite sure how to diagnose your tire issue, head to your local garage and get some expert advice.

Look after the exterior of your car

For most men, the exterior of their car is better maintained than the interior, but the question is, do they wash it regularly enough?

Every single day, our cars are exposed to dust, grit, salt, and grease which can ruin the paintwork and even go on to wear away at the metal of the vehicle. Although a few weeks without a wash won’t cause severe damage; over a lengthy period, it may start to erode the car and possibly affect the resale value.

If the harm has already been done, a body shop expert could reverse damages and get your car looking as good as new again. Auto body painting uses state-of-the-art technology to produce that high-quality finish you’re striving for. If you want to find out more, view here to see how John Harris Body Shops could help you.

How regularly you wash your car will all depend on your location and environment. If, for example, you live near to the beach where sand is flying freely or near a city where there’s a great deal of pollution in the air, it would be advised you wash your car on a weekly basis. If, on the other hand, you live in the countryside, once per month will probably be sufficient.

Don’t forget the inside…

Is it true that most of the time, you just can’t be bothered to clean your car interior? You probably aren’t alone, but if you fail to give it a good tidy every so often, it’s bound to start looking like the inside of a trash can. Even more importantly, you never know when you’ll have passengers hop on board. Car mats are perfect for protecting your interiors from water and mud, but be sure to purchase those that are hard-wearing and can be easily cleaned.

Get your car geared up for winter

Dependent on which state you live in, the need to prepare for extreme weather conditions may be something to start thinking about. You need to be sure that the car’s heating and defrosting units are working accordingly. Failing to do so means your car may have trouble starting, which isn’t ideal when you’re in a rush and need to get to work. Also, be sure to purchase snow tires, so you’re able to drive steadily through snow and ice. Sticking with regular tires when driving in such conditions will put you at danger of drifting across the road.

Install gadgets to keep your car protected

No matter how much you love your car, you can’t prevent unforeseen circumstances occurring while out and about, but you can protect it to the best of your ability with the use of a few gadgets.

You could add some blind-spot mirrors onto the vehicle, so you have a better chance of avoiding a collision, or a wheel lock so there’s less risk of your car being stolen. There are also Dash Cam devices available that are able to record driver activity, so you have proof of fault if there were disputes over a collision.