When you own a car, it is essential that you take care of it. Avoiding car maintenance might seem like it’ll save you money, but it can actually make things much worse. If you’ve never owned a car before, maintaining it might seem like a complicated matter. However, you can easily make it a part of your usual lifestyle. Here are some car maintenance tips that every car owner should know.
1. Get Regular Oil Changes
If you own a car, you need oil changes. You are likely to know this even if this is your first car. As of 2019, 91.3% of households have access to at least one vehicle. So you’ve probably heard about oil changes before. However, you need to know that you should get the oil changed regularly. That way, your engine runs smoothly. If you skip oil changes, it can cause your engine to have a lot of problems, which can all be very expensive to repair. Oil changes can be somewhat expensive, but you can shop around and look for deals. Some places will have coupons you can bring in. Plan ahead for these oil changes and make sure that they get done. That way, you don’t need to worry about paying for avoidable problems.
2. Never Drive Impaired
You should never drive your car in anything but a clear state of mind. While the most commonly discussed impairment is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, there are other things you need to consider as well. Fatigue can be dangerous. According to the National Library of Medicine, driver fatigue is the cause of 30% of trucking accidents. These accidents can not only cause severe damage to your car, but they can also potentially kill or injure you. If you don’t want to risk any of these consequences, you need to be aware of your physical and mental state every time you drive a car.
3. Find a Good Mechanic
A good mechanic can make a big difference in the maintenance of your car. If you know that you’re not going to get ripped off or receive poor service, you’ll be much more likely to bring your car in for its usual maintenance and any necessary repairs. Look into mechanics in your area. 75% of aftermarket auto repair is done by independent auto repair shops, meaning there are many to choose from. Look for a mechanic you can go to regularly. Once you’ve found someone you like and trust, keep their information in mind. Then you’ll be able to easily bring your car there again in the future.
4. Keep Supplies On Hand
Accidents happen when you least expect them to. This is why it is so important to be prepared, no matter your lifestyle. Keep some tools in your car in order to fix the most common accidents. Things like a spare tire or jumper cables can help you fix your car when you’re not in the best position to do so. While accidents and roadside emergencies aren’t part of your standard car maintenance schedule, there are things that happen to everybody. If you have supplies on hand, you can manage them on your own. Consider what kinds of accidents are most likely to happen, then think about what you’ll need in order to deal with them. Pack those tools and supplies in your trunk and you’ll be ready to go when the time comes.
Car maintenance is a necessary part of owning a car. You need to keep it in working order and know what to do when damage is done to it. However, this does not need to be very complicated. If you take some time to prepare and make it a part of your lifestyle, your car will work much more smoothly for a long time.
