The bitter reality of daily traffic and commutes has forced many of us to invest in a new car. It might be expensive, but it has given us the safety and convenience to travel to work and school and visit various places that can’t be traveled by foot. As cars become a necessity these days, it’s important to observe proper maintenance to ensure smooth rides and a longer lifespan.
Proper car maintenance is key to keep it functional and in top condition. Today, many auto services offer a wide range of maintenance services that cater to your car’s specific needs. They also use cutting-edge equipment to give your car the care it deserves. One example is the wheel-balancing equipment that keeps wheels in good shape and correct alignment.
Although there are professional mechanics who are skilled enough to tackle our car concerns, every driver needs to learn the basics of car maintenance. The problem is that with so many car maintenance tips, we often forget the most important ones. In this article, we’ll discuss the commonly overlooked car maintenance tasks that require proper addressing.
Checking the tire rotation, pressure, and tread depth
If you’re the type of person who loves going on long trips or uses the car every day for work, it’s important to check the condition of your tires before traveling.
Failure to keep your tires inflated at all times leads to sudden wear and tear, making them less reliable and prone to incidents. Start by checking the tire pressure regularly using a gauge. You can buy one for personal use or the ones available at gas stations.
While on it, you should also inspect the depth of the tire tread. The tread helps the car maintain its control along slippery terrains during rainy or snowy weather. Just use a quarter or penny and stick it upside-down between the tire’s tread walls with the President’s head facing down. If you can see the head at the top of the tread, this means the tire only has less than one-eight left on its tread. If this happens, it means you need to replace the tire immediately.
Most car owners also forget about rotating their tires. Over time, our tires wear down unevenly as long as we drive them. If left unchecked, uneven tires will force you to buy newer ones, which can be quite expensive. Although most people are aware of this, not everyone knows how to do it correctly.
Checking the tire pressure is one way to lengthen the tires’ lifespan. Another tip is to request a car technician to rotate your tires during routine maintenance. This will keep the wear of the tires even, provide a smooth ride, and preserve its quality.
Changing the windshield wiper
Most car owners have a habit of neglecting the windshield wiper since it’s something they rarely use. The truth is, windshield wipers are an absolute necessity during winter and rainy days. Keeping them in great shape provides clear visibility while driving.
Windshield wipers have a rubber piece that wears out over time. This is because the rubber is always exposed to the sun and weather and is prone to breaking, tearing, and ripping. If ignored, the wipers will become less effective, making them dangerous to use during heavy rains. Thus, it’s important to replace them before getting caught in the middle of a thunderstorm.
Even if it’s not raining, make sure to replace them as required—no need to ask for assistance since wipers are fairly easy to install.
Check the brakes
Here’s a fact, most car accidents happen because drivers fail to have their brakes checked. Checking the car brakes can be a little tricky unless you have the skills or a complete home setup. Despite this fact, it’s important to be aware of the things you can do instead of having someone do it for you. Failure to observe brake repairs can be dangerous, especially during emergencies.
Over time, the brake pads wear down even with average use. You will notice this if the brakes are not responding to your every move. Another sign is when the brakes are getting ‘spongy’ and making scraping or humming noise. If this happens, take your car to a licensed mechanic to have it checked.
With so many car maintenance tasks to follow, it’s easy for us to forget most of them, especially those who can’t carve out extra time for their cars. If you’re one of them, it’s important to be aware of the maintenance tasks you have to prioritize. In this case, our suggestions above will give you an idea of which type of routine car maintenance should come first to keep your car in great shape and avoid unexpected issues.
