Tips For Taking Care Of Your Car

Women make a lot of the decisions when it comes to which car to purchase as well as deciding on what mechanic to bring the family’s car to when it needs repairs. However, many women don’t feel comfortable when it comes to taking care of their vehicles. To make matters worse, mechanics often take advantage of women because women are often unsure of car repairs and what’s needed.

Ladies, here are some car care tips that will help make you more confident when it comes to taking care of your car.

Check Your Car’s Maintenance Schedule

Do you still have your car’s owner’s manual in the glove box? If so, pull it out and read it. Look for the maintenance schedule which will give you all the details on when you should change the oil, air filters, fluid flushes and much more. There are general rules for all these things, but it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to keep your car running in tip-top shape.

Find A Local Mechanic

At some point in time you will need to bring your car into a mechanic. It’s best to have a mechanic vetted before you have a car emergency. Ask your friends and family who they bring their cars to. Look at online reviews and see what others say about their experiences with the car repair shops. When you bring your car into the shop, make sure they can explain exactly what the problem is, what they need to do to fix it and that they give you a written estimate. It’s also important that they call you if they run into any issues when they are doing the repairs and that they let you know ahead of time if there are any additional costs above the estimate they gave you.

Keep A Quarter Tank Of Gas In Your Car

Don’t wait until your car is almost empty before you fill it up. If your car gets low on gas, there is less fuel to lubricate the fuel pump and it could burn out. If your fuel pump burns out, your car won’t start, and you might need to get your fuel pump replaced. (Not a cheap fix.) Additionally, you want to make sure you have enough gas just in case you get stuck on the freeway due to bad weather or an accident. It’s better to have more gas in your car than less!

Change Your Oil

Oil is the lifeblood of your car. Everyone knows how important it is to change your oil, but many people still put it off as long as possible. Unlike some repairs — like a flat tire or bad brakes — that need immediate repair, it’s easy to keep telling yourself you’ll go get your oil changed “next weekend.” Unlike some emergency repairs, a car that needs an oil change can keep going. But eventually, it will catch up to you and your car will stop working. And when it does, the damage will be serious, and you will likely need a new engine — not just an oil change.

Pay Attention To The Warning Lights

If any of your dashboard warning lights light up – pay attention! The lights are color-coded. Green or blue lights are for features like headlights or cruise control. Yellow means that you should check on the issue soon. A red dashboard light means that something is happening to your car that is causing damage and it is (typically) unsafe to drive your car. If any of the dashboard lights come on, pay attention. Find out what the light means and get the issue taken care of as soon as possible.

Know How To Change A Tire And Check Tire Pressure

Tires impact how your car performs – so you want to make sure that your tires are in good shape. Having a flat tire is not a fun experience – and it can be very scary — but if you learn how to change a tire yourself it can save you a lot of time. Ask someone you know or your mechanic to show you how to properly change your tire. Make sure you have all the equipment you need – including a spare tire in your trunk – to change a tire if you run into trouble.

It’s also important to make sure your tires are filled to the proper tire pressure. You can find the proper tire pressure in the vehicle owner’s manual or on a decal in the door jamb. Many newer cars have dashboard lights that alert you when your tire pressure is low, which helps let you know when it’s time to add more air.

Check Your Wiper Blades

First, a clean wiper blade is a happy wiper blade. Keep paper towels in your trunk so that you can pull over and wipe off the wiper blades if they get covered in dirt or grime when you’re on a road trip. You also want to replace worn wiper blades when needed. Not only will they make it hard for you to see out your windshield, but they can even scratch the glass.

Inspect your wiper blades every six months and replace them once a year because wiper blades deteriorate over time because of all the road debris, chemicals, and exposure to the weather. Some signs your blades might need to be replaced early are skipping, scraping noises or cracks. Also, remember to refill windshield wiper fluid with a winter grade formula when the weather gets colder.

Check Your Battery

Battery failure is one of the main causes of breakdowns. Batteries usually last about five years. And depending on weather conditions, some batteries have a harder time than others – especially if they’re subjected to extreme temperatures. Also, if you typically drive short distances in a small city, your car battery is continually kept at a low charge. This can lead to acid stratification and sulfation, which can result in battery failure.

To keep your battery in shape, make sure your battery is less than four years old. If you’re not sure how old your battery is, bring it into a mechanic. Most car shops have a battery test they can run to find out how old your battery is.

Check Where You Park

One way to tell if something is wrong with your car is if you look where you regularly park your car. Check the spot where you park your car and see if there are any leaks or puddles. If your car is dripping oil, anti-freeze or even water, get it checked out at an auto repair shop as soon as possible.

Be Prepared For Emergencies

Make sure you have your insurance card with you so that in case you have an emergency, you can call for roadside assistance. Don’t rely on just any tow truck that may come along. Chances are they will overcharge you. You should also text a close friend or family member to let them know exactly where you are at so someone knows your whereabouts.

Car Service You Can Trust

If you find that your car is in need of repairs, stop by one of Neil Huffman Automotive Group’s Service Centers. With locations in Louisville, KY, Frankfort, KY and Clarksville, IN, you are minutes away from quality automotive service.

 

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