Your car is likely your second biggest asset next to your house, and just like a house, it requires regular maintenance to be in its best shape and last a long time. But some things with your car can be more routine and obvious, especially since your car constantly communicates what problems or maintenance operations it requires.
Performance Muffler has had its doors open since 2007, and we’ve since grown to have one of the most experienced automotive teams in the Phoenix area. One issue we frequently see with vehicle owners is they neglect regular maintenance for their car, and so in this article, we will identify 5 regular vehicle maintenance tasks every owner should pay attention to.
Change Your Oil on Schedule
An oil change is undoubtedly the most regular task that every owner focuses on. Oil changes increase your car’s gas mileage, reduce engine build-up, enhance the engine’s life, and provide lubrication to the engine. Your car operates better when oil is changed on time, so don’t neglect this task.
Vehicles typically need an oil change every 3,000 miles or six months, but these numbers can depend on your make and model. Check with your car manual, dealer, or mechanic to double-check these numbers for your car.
Check Your Tires Regularly and Rotate on Schedule
Similar to your engine, a car runs better with good, properly inflated tires. Regular inspection, inflation, and rotation (as prescribed by your mechanic, typically every other oil change) will let your vehicle run at peak performance.
One frequent problem drivers run into is low tire pressure. Having a tire pressure gauge and a portable air compressor can be beneficial tools to keep in your vehicle if you happen to encounter this problem, which can especially be an issue during colder months.
Inspect Fluids
Many fluids are crucial to your car’s performance other than motor oil, including brake fluid, transmission fluid, coolant, and windshield washer fluid. All of these have a designated fill line, so you can routinely, about every two months, inspect fluid levels and add as prescribed. If you ever have any questions or concerns with this, don’t hesitate to contact the team at Performance Muffler.
Examine Belts, Hoses, and other Engine Components
Popping the hood and taking a look at the engine yourself can be a good measure, about every three months or so, to ensure everything appears to be working correctly. You’ll want to look for any cracks, dents, rust, leaks, cuts, etc. throughout the engine. Other problematic signs include smoke, excessive noise, or leaks.
Check Brakes for Noise or Feel
Brake pads generally need to be replaced anywhere from 25,000 to 65,000 miles, depending on the car and driver’s use. Excessive braking, aggressive driving, and other causes can accelerate the decay of brake pads, but you can often tell when you need to replace them from noise or feel. If your brakes are squeaking so loudly you can hear it or it takes longer than normal to come to a complete stop, these are the biggest indicators of bad brakes. You’ll want to get these serviced and replaced as soon as you can.
Final Thoughts
One tip that goes unheeded too often is not reading your owner’s manual thoroughly and completely. This can be the best practice to understand any issue that your car may encounter.
Also, getting professional help with your car rather than trying to do some of the more intricate operations by yourself is recommended. A professional can consistently offer a second opinion on your car’s condition and any potential problems, helping to optimize its life.
Find Your Trusted Car Professional Today
Performance Muffler has a team dedicated to exceptional results and superior customer service ready to improve your car today. Contact us to get connected with one of our professionals and discover how we can help you with any of your vehicle needs.