Car maintenance CommandmentsPosted by Jeff Nootenboom on July 10th, 2019 What you don't know not only can hurt you, but it can also hurt your car. Many vehicle owners don't pay much attention to maintenance issues. If something goes wrong, they bring the vehicle to the shop. Unfortunately, the problem with the car might turn out to be so severe that the vehicle ends up totaled. Being a clueless driver has its consequences. Don't allow yourself to be so negligent that you're unaware of these three critical maintenance responsibilities. Change Your Oil on Time An engine can't operate if metal meets metal without lubrication. Oil provides the lubrication that keeps friction from destroying parts. Even the best oil won't last forever, though. Engine oil ages and changes from a green color to brown to black.You don't want old oil running through your engine for too long. The oil won't provide adequate protection, and your engine may suffer. Also, the oil could become gummy and stick to sections of the engine. Always change the oil at the manufacturer's recommended mileage point. Check the oil dipstick to determine the oil level and its current color. When the time comes for a change, take the vehicle to a garage. Rotate Your Tires Rotating the tires involves moving the front tires to the rear and the rear tires to the front. Doing so helps reduce the amount of wear the tires invariably suffer. The front tires degrade more than the rear ones. If you don't rotate the tires, the front ones end up with less tread. The vehicle won't handle well as a result. Rotating the tires at the appropriate intervals, usually at oil change time, could potentially prevent a dangerous blowout on the road. Many garages offer free tire rotations when a customer comes in for other services. Take advantage of such deals and preserve your car's tires. Pay Attention to Indicator Lights The lights on the car's dashboard are there for a reason; they tell you when something isn't right. Certain lights are more important than others, like your engine light, oil pressure light, and tire pressure light. These lights indicate serious problems. With low oil pressure, for example, it's routinely suggested to stop driving the car or risk totaling the engine. Like it? Share it! |