Your car is one thing that you use frequently
throughout your life. A car is not just for driving it requires a lot of
maintenance if you want it to be in good condition, safe and if you want it to
run for a long time. If a car is not taken care of, it will lead to a lot of
expenses in repairs time and again.
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| Image source : Budd-RDC.org |
First make sure that you
insure yourself and your car. So even if you are in a small or a big accident
your medical bills, car repairs will be covered by the insurance. Always keep a
copy of the insurance in your car. Just make sure if you or anyone cleans the
car does not toss the papers out. Make sure your coverage is enough.
Second always carry a copy
of the current vehicle registration in the car.
Also see that you have
safety and emission inspection documents ready.
Also keep the maintenance receipts.
If kept elsewhere it can create a problem for the car. During inspection they may
wish to check the papers - when you changed the tires, changed the oil or
flushed the radiator. Keep the receipts in the car.
Learn to check the pressure
in the car tires – keep a pressure gauge in the car. Less inflated tires cause
accidents. They could also be torn off while taking a hard corner.
Check the car every month.
The oil needs to be changed regularly, check the owner’s
manual. Change oil every 3000 miles.
Remember to change oil after every 3.500 miles. The
air filter needs to be replaced very often. Dirty oil and filters make the wear
and tear an expensive affair for the car owner.
Rotate the tires when you change the oil. Move the
back tires to the front and vice versa. This helps the tires wear evenly and
last longer. Check the pressure in the spare tire as seasonal temperature
changes the pressure in the tires even if no leak is there.
Check the brakes visually once a year. Brake shoes
wear out like the shoes you wear. If it wears down completely it may damage the
brake rotor which can be very expensive to repair.
Check the vital fluids in the car for safety, these
can be checked easily by opening the engine compartment: - oil, coolant,
transmission fluid, brake fluid, windshield wiper fluid- top them up if the
low.
Also check the parking space for drip spots.
Learn t change a flat by learning how to use a jack
and wrench. Learn first by changing in your driveway.
Keep a few essential items in a bag in your car –
what you may need if the car breaks down.
Keep water, first aid kit, flashlight, rain poncho, tarp, thin rope,
some cash, keep blankets, socks, boots, thermals, gloves in case of winter.
Keep insurance paper, registration papers, safety
and emission papers, receipts of repairs and maintenance.
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