Regular car maintenance is one of the most effective preventative measures you can take to avoid needing a tow after a roadside emergency. However, car maintenance doesn’t mean you need to take your vehicle to your mechanic every month. There are several maintenance tasks you can learn to do yourself on a scheduled basis, and they’re simple enough that you can trust your abilities instead of paying an expert to perform them.
We’ve compiled a list of 3 car maintenance tasks that everyone can do that you can get started with.
Check your tire pressure.
Scheduling time in your calendar every month like clockwork to check your tire pressure is key to avoiding flat tires, blowouts, and other disasters on the road. Buy a tire gauge off of Amazon or at your local auto store and use it to check your tire pressure monthly. The ideal tire pressure for your vehicle should be listed on your driver’s door jamb and in your owner’s manual. You should look for this number when checking the pressure. For an accurate reading, make sure you check the tire pressure after your tires have not been driven on for a while.
Check your wiper blades.
Are your windshield wiper blades still wiping your windshield clean after rain or bugs get on your windshield? If your windshield still looks streaky after use, you may need to invest in new wiper blades. Buying and replacing your wiper blades is as simple as lifting your wipers up off your windshield and pressing the tabs at the bottom of the blades where they hinge to remove them. Your local auto parts store should have new ones you can install in the same way, too.
Check your fluid levels.
From coolant to brake fluid and transmission fluid, there are lots of important fluids that ensure your car’s systems run smoothly. There should be gauges on each of these fluid containers that mark where the ideal levels of fluid should fall. You can read more about the specific fluids your car needs and how much of each in its owner’s manual.
If you’re not sure where to begin with these maintenance tasks, we recommend that you read your owner’s manual to get the nitty-gritty details about your specific vehicle. While maintenance is great for prevention, roadside emergencies do still happen, and when you need assistance, feel free to contact Tow Pro at 615.256.TOWS(8697).