How to Take Good Care of Your Car

When you live at home, the parents probably took on the car's maintenance or reminded you when it should be serviced. Now that you are on your own, that's yours to do. Though it may seem costly and time-consuming in the near term, keeping your car well maintained really saves money in the long term. Don’t be like the 1/3 of college students who forget to change their oil more than twice a year. Your car needs regular care, and it won’t fix itself. Start practicing regular car maintenance and stop depending on reminders from your parents. Below are some basic tips to help keep your car in great condition.

5 Simple Steps for Taking Care of Your Car 

Clean the windshield regularly

A dirty windshield can obstruct your view and create a safety risk. Clean it as often as possible, especially after a long journey on highways. Wet the windshield with a cleaning solution at gas stations using the squeegee then pull from center to sides, top down to remove streaks. Insects smear even more when applying the wipers. Ensure that you clean it well.

Also, frequent washes will save your car from several things like salt, dirt, and bird droppings which would eat away at the paint and metal. The frequency of washing will depend on where you live. For polluted or coastal areas, you will have to wash it at least twice to thrice a month. For cleaner, inland areas, once a month should be good enough. You might have to wash more often during winter due to all the snow and salt and mud building up.

Check your tire pressure 

Correct tire pressure is safe and helps in saving more fuel. Overinflated or underinflated tires will wear out faster, fail to handle the road efficiently, and could cause a blowout. Tire pressure should be checked as it changes with usage and temperature. You should check it for every fuel fill-up or every other time when a problem might arise. Learn how to take good care of your car to ensure it runs smoothly for years.

Check oil levels regularly 

Motor oil is the key to a smooth-running engine. It lubricates moving parts and carries away heat and combustion waste. If your engine doesn't have enough oil, it could seize up. You should just get into the practice of checking oil levels frequently. All you need is a paper towel and a few minutes.

Follow the maintenance schedule 

Your car needs to have regular upkeep. These include oil changes and tire rotations. Don't ask the mechanic about these. The owner's manual should contain such recommendations on the frequency of performing these. This will save you a lot of visits to the mechanic and make your car last for years and years. You can find the best Car Care Accessories online to keep your vehicle in top shape.

Learn some DIY maintenance tasks

While cars have really become very sophisticated, you can still maintain your car on your own on those maintenance tasks:

• The oil needs to be changed every 5,000 miles. Whether you do it yourself or have it done at a mechanic, regular oil changes keep your car running like it is supposed to. Follow these 5 Tips to Follow After You Buy Your First Car to get the best use from your new car.
• Replace the air filter every 12,000 miles. A simple action such as this does improve fuel efficiency and reduce exhaust emissions. Plus, it saves money to do the job yourself.
• Rotate your tires every 5,000-10,000 miles. Tires rotated will ensure an even wear on the tires, which means less erratic ride and much longer lifetime for your tires. For example, AutoxMatch features some of the great car accessories to make your driving experience simply fantastic.

How to Find the Best Car Insurance Company 

Auto insurance will secure you in case of accidents or damage from natural events. Similarly, in India, you'll be required to get at least third-party car insurance. Here are some tips to find the best insurance company:

1. Look for Insurers with Good Reviews and Ratings: No recommendations needed anymore. Just search the internet and see the rating and reviews for any insurance company.
2. Find the Right Insurer with the Right Coverage: It is the coverage in your car insurance that forms the crux through which you make claims. Your insurer will only come to your aid if they have included the situation in your policy.
3. Check the quality of service: one may evaluate an insurance company by going to their website and reviewing the policy details. Do they know you are in need or do they push some random policies on you? Is the salesperson knowledgeable about his products? Does he/she answer all your questions before you spend your money? All these points guide one when choosing a good insurer.

If your car causes an accident to other cars, there is a need for a speedy and efficient insurance company to respond. A reliable insurer will rapidly process claims and be just and right.

How to Take Good Care of Your Car- FAQs 

How often should I get an oil change? 

Change your engine oil every 5,000 to 7,500 miles.

How often should I check my tire pressure? 

Check your tire pressure once a month. Wait until your tires cool down before checking, not right after driving.

How often should I get my brakes checked? 

Change your brake pads every six months and get them inspected during routine service or tune-ups.

How often should I check my car’s fluids? 

Check your engine oil, coolant, power steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid once a month. Check your brake fluid and transmission fluid twice a year, about every six months.

How often should I replace my battery? 

Replace your car battery every four to five years.

How often should I get a tune-up? 

Get it tuned up once a year if you have an older car. For newer cars with electronic ignition, one tune-up every 25,000 to 100,000 miles would be in order.

Will a tune-up affect my auto insurance rates?

Regular maintenance would indicate responsible ownership, so some insurance companies would welcome that. Once again, just contact your provider or pose a simple question to them about how they factor your rates.

Conclusion

Taking good care of your car is the safest way to ensure its long life and prevent you from additional expenses in terms of repairs. Easy steps such as cleaning the windshield, checking up on tire pressure, and keeping the oil level will keep a vehicle running well. Follow the routine of maintenance and get to know some elementary DIY works for reduced cost and expenses. Moreover, a reliable car insurance company can provide comfort during accidents. Maintain routine car care to protect your investment and ensure a safe, hassle-free drive.