Keeping your car in tip-top shape is the best way to prevent large, unexpected auto bills. You can also avoid the dreaded feeling of your vehicle not starting when you have to go somewhere. This is a list of the preventative maintenance your vehicle needs to save yourself time and money.
Check Your Manual
First (and most importantly), read your owner’s manual. You’ll find the important maintenance milestones laid out there, and they’ll be different based on the kind of vehicle you have. Oil changes, filters, and belts will all have specific replacement times.
Perform Self-Inspections
Every month or so, give your car a basic once-over to look for anything out of place. Check your lights, tire pressure, and tire treads. Drive it around the neighborhood and listen for any strange sounds. Watch for problems with turning or acceleration. Even if it’s something small, take your car to a mechanic.
Replace Air Filters
Replace your cabin air filter every February before allergy season. Your drives will feel more comfortable as pollen will have a tougher time getting into your cabin and clogging up your nose.
You should also replace your engine air filter (and you’ll need to replace it more frequently if your drives involve a lot of stopping and starting). This will prolong your engine’s overall lifespan and prevent dirt and debris from entering your engine’s internal parts.
Fix Your Fluids
Learn how to check your fluid levels (and learn how to change fluids yourself; this will save you a good amount of money in the long run). Antifreeze, power steering, coolant, wiper fluid, brake fluid—review your manual to find out how to check them all.
Watch for the telltale signs that your transmission fluid is low. This usually happens around 100,000 miles, but refer to your manual for specifics.
Now that you know the preventative maintenance your vehicle needs, you can keep your car in good shape and avoid the shock of a big repair bill.
