Car Care Basics That Anyone Can Do

Contrary to the popular belief, not all car care tasks take a lot of time and require a lot of car skills. As a matter of fact, basic car care can be done by just about anyone, even those with very minimal knowledge of mechanics.

For example, regular washings are a huge part of basic car care. By keeping the outside of your car clean, you are not only keeping your car shiny and looking like new, you are keeping your paint from getting scratched. This is because the debris that can accumulate on the outside of a car over time can act as an abrasive, rubbing off the protective clear coat (if your car has one) and digging into your paint. To be sure, car care does not get much easier than taking your vehicle through a car wash!

One of the other easier components to car care involves regularly checking your oil levels. Believe it or not, you are actually supposed to do this every time you fill up your gas tank. Many people do not do this or fail to do it, and by the time they take their vehicles to a professional to have their oil changed, the engine of the car has been damaged already by the lack of oil that was available. Depending on how frequently you fill up your gas tank, you might not really need to check it each time, but you should definitely do it at least once a month as part of your car care routine.

Speaking of routine car care, when is the last time you changed your windshield washer blades? This should be done at least once a year, and it takes less than five minutes to do. Moreover, changing your windshield wiper blades is one of the most affordable and easiest components to car care. Over time, particularly in the cold winter months, the rubber on the blades can get hard and it will soon crack, scratching the glass of your windshield. Before this happens and you have to get your glass repaired, change them out.

Filling up your reservoir with windshield washer fluid is another easy car care basic. All you have to do is buy the fluid and dump it into the right tank. You do not want to fill it up with water, as when the weather gets cold the water can freeze and expand, bursting the plastic reservoir.






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These are basic things anyone can do for their car. So make sure to check and do it once in a while to maintain and avoid large expenses in your car.

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Do It Yourself Auto Repair Tips: Once-A-Month Maintenance to Keep Your Car

Preventative maintenance isn’t a “cool” topic, but in today’s economic climate it’s more important than ever to keep your car in top running shape so that it will last as long as possible — without costly repairs. By performing a few minutes of maintenance once a month, you can help ensure that your car will be running for a long, long time.

Auto Repair Help for the “Do It Yourselfer”: Learn where things are located under your car’s hood in the video below so you can become a real do-it-yourself auto repair expert in no time.


Auto Repair Tip: Arm yourself with this information so you’ll never get ripped off by auto repairmen again.

With just a little practice, the following tasks can be done in less than 15 minutes. It might take a little longer the first few times you run through the steps, but a few minutes now prevents lengthy waits in repair shops, so it’s worth it. Just follow this list:

    * Check the air filter - If you can’t see any light through the sides, drop it lightly on a hard surface and look again. If you still can’t see light, it’s time for a new filter. Regardless, your air filter should be replaced once a year or each 20,000 miles.
    * Check the belts - If any of the belts has more than 1/2″ of give when you push it, you might be able to adjust it if the belt is in good shape. If any belt is cracked, frayed, or shiny on the inside it should be replaced regardless.
    * Check the battery - If the battery has caps or bars on top, carefully pry them off and check the water level. If low, fill to the top of the metal plates with distilled water. If there are powdery deposits on either of the terminals, they’ll also need cleaning. You can clean the worst of these deposits with a small amount of Coca-cola followed by a small amount of clean water for a rinse. Dry the terminals completely then coat with a small amount of petroleum jelly to keep the corrosion from coming back.
    * Check the radiator - Most modern cars have a coolant overflow tank, so there’s usually no reason to open the radiator. Check to make sure the fluid is at the “full” line. If not, add a 50/50 mixture of coolant and water. Most modern engine blocks are aluminum and require the protection of coolant, so only add straight water in an emergency. Straight coolant is overkill. Never open a pressure cap while the engine is hot!
    * Check the hoses - walk around the front of the engine compartment and feel/look at each hose. Any that are cracked, bulging, or excessively soft should be replaced. It’s cheap and easy to replace a hose before it bursts. If you lose on on the highway the tow charge alone could be 6x the cost or more.
    * Check the oil dipstick - pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean lint-free rag (or paper towel). Put the dipstick back in the engine and check it again. The oil level should be between the “add” and “full” lines. If the oil is dirty or smells like gasoline, it’s time to change it.
    * Check the transmission fluid - the transmission dipstick is nearly the same as the oil dipstick, but it’s usually a little harder to spot. It’s checked in the same manner, but if you have to add transmission fluid, it’s added via the dipstick tube. After you check the level, rub a little of the oil between your fingers. It should be pinkish and clean. If not, you’ll need to have your mechanic replace the transmission fluid. This job is far less costly than a new transmission.
    * Check brake fluid - If your car has ABS, refer to the owner’s manual before checking this fluid level. Otherwise, open the top of the brake fluid reservoir and check that the level is between the low and high level marks. Be careful to not get brake fluid on anything painted- it eats paint. Also, brake fluid can be ruined if it’s left exposed to air in as little as 15 minutes, so be sure to keep the bottle closed tightly. If the brake fluid looks dirty, have your mechanic replace it. On average, brake fluid should be replaced every 2 years.
    * Check the power steering fluid - again, make sure the fluid level is up to the fill mark.
    * Check the wiring - if any wires look frayed or if there is lots of corrosion on them, they’ll need to be replaced by your mechanic. Again, this job is far less expensive if you replace them before they fail.
    * Check the washer fluid - while not as critical as the other fluids, it’s worth taking the time to check and fill your washer fluid while under the hood. If you’re in a cold area, it’s important to use a solution that contains antifreeze.
    * Check wiper blades - Obviously you’ll know when your blades are getting old when they start skipping or streaking during a rain storm. Replace them as soon as you notice a problem.
    * Check tires - Check the air pressure in your tires. Properly inflated tires will help improve your gas mileage and will help with even tire wear. If your tires are worn, get them replaced for both safety and to prevent a costly road call.

 Fifteen minutes of effort once per month can prevent hours of towing and repair shop waiting, as well as the costs associated with them. These maintenance items can also help your car last as long as possible.





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It's better that you check your car especially when you're on a long road trip. Checking it's condition lessens problems and less expensive.

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