Car Maintenance Commandments for Clueless Drivers
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 the 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.
A quick search of the internet reveals what each light on the dash means. Familiarize yourself with them and learn which ones are the most important. Knowledge will increase your safety.
Clueless drivers might find themselves with avoidable maintenance issues or worse, a preventable accident. If you consider yourself a “clueless” driver, the best thing you can do to take care of your car is to take it to the mechanic regularly. Schedule with your nearest MotorCar Doctors location today!