Use Our
Comprehensive Auto Wellness Checkup Guide to Keep Your Vehicle Safe and in
Pristine Condition!
For many
people, having a vehicle is a necessity. It’s important to know that being
proactive about the overall maintenance of your vehicle can significantly bring
down repair costs as well as decrease the likelihood of an accident. Some
maintenance issues are dangerous and can lead to accidents
and injuries if ignored. Scheduling regular auto wellness checkups is the
easiest way to ensure your vehicle's condition and safety. Read below to learn
about the ways you can ensure your vehicle is running at its top
performance.
Fluid Changes
Checking the levels of the various fluids your vehicle needs is a critical part of your auto wellness checkup.
1. Oil.
When your car is warm and on
level ground, simply pull out the oil dipstick found under your hood and wipe
it clean. Dip the stick back in, and then out after a moment. The oil residue
should land between the two indent marks. You will want to take notice of the
oil color as well. If the oil is dark or black, it is time for an oil change.
If it’s light or gold, it should be good to go. It's best to check your oil
level on a regular basis to avoid potential engine malfunctions.
2. Transmission
Fluid. Too little or too much transmission fluid can result in some
costly repairs if it causes your transmission to fail. This fluid should be
changed periodically to ensure the gears run smoothly. Similarly, to checking
oil, withdrawing the dipstick from the reservoir will indicate how much fluid
is left. Your dipstick might have two markings for "full"—one warm,
one cold. If the transmission fluid level does not come up to the
"warm" line, you'll need to add automatic transmission fluid. This
fluid should be red. If the color is dark or black, it should be changed as
soon as possible.
3. Radiator
Coolant. It’s a good idea to keep extra coolant (and really, any
other fluid your vehicle needs) in the trunk of your car in case of emergency.
Coolant or antifreeze is necessary to keep your vehicle from overheating or
from freezing.
4. Windshield
Wiper Fluid. Winter
weather can cause you to run through windshield wiper fluid pretty
quickly. You’ll want to check this often, especially if you live in an area
like Upstate New
York, where roads are heavily salted during the winter. The rock
salt can create dust and cause your windshield to become extremely cloudy.
Keeping an extra container of windshield wiper fluid in the truck of your
vehicle can come in handy.
5. Power
Steering Fluid. Driving without the proper amount of power steering fluid
can become extremely dangerous as it will make your steering wheel harder to
control. If the wheel of your vehicle is becoming difficult to turn, this can
indicate that your power steering fluid is low. Like your oil, transmission
fluid, and coolants, this is something that you can easily check
yourself. You might consider setting a reminder on your calendar or phone to check
these fluids at the beginning of each month.
The Lights
Lights
that are not properly functioning on your vehicle are extremely
dangerous. You’ll want to make sure you are checking your headlights, brake
lights, turn signals, and reverse lights on a regular basis. These lights
let other drivers know what you are doing while on the road and can prevent
accidents. You may even be
ticketed if your lights are not functioning properly.
The Tires
There are
two main concerns when it comes to inspecting your
tires: the tire pressure and the tread. You may opt to purchase a tire
pressure gauge as an easy way to monitor your tire pressure. Oftentimes, gas
stations will have tire pressure gauges and air pumps available as well,
and sometimes free of charge! It’s important to be aware that deflated tires
can cause blowouts while driving, which in turn can cause accidents or
injury.
Similarly,
because your tires rely on the tread to give you
traction on the road, they are extremely important to maintain. Being proactive
and inspecting for signs of wear
and tear on your tires is vital. Any bulges, lumps, or low tread can
indicate that it is time to replace the tire. Keep in mind that rotating your
tires every 6 months or 6,000 miles will give your tires a chance to even out
that wear and tear as well as extend their life use.
A great
way to test the tread of your tire is by using the penny test. To learn how to
test the tread of your tire using only a penny, click
here.
The Brakes
Having
your brakes checked
regularly by a professional can keep you and your car safe on the road. If you
are starting to hear screeching or squealing when driving, this is
a strong indication that your brake pads need to be replaced. Neglecting
to replace your brake pads can cause them to wear down to the rotor, which will
quickly lead to further damage.
Windshield Wiper Blades
Another
item that can easily be inspected are your windshield wipers. If you
notice that your wiper blades seem to be doing a better job smearing the muck
around your windshield than
clearing it, it’s probably time to replace them. While these can be easy
to replace, many auto part stores will change them for you for free when you
purchase the new set. While inspecting your
windshield wipers, you can take a look at the overall condition of your
windshield as well. Be sure that it is clean and clear of any cracks.
Safety Preparedness Kit
Keeping
an emergency
kit in the back seat or trunk of your car is an easy way to be even
more prepared in unexpected situations. A first aid kit, bottled water,
energy bars, medication, jumper
cables, blankets, flashlights and a tool kit are just a few examples of
what should go in your kit. You can even purchase premade kits online or in
hardware stores for a quick solution.
Paperwork
Keeping
documents handy and up to date in your vehicle is another important step in
your auto wellness checkup. You’ll want to make sure that your inspections and
registrations are up to date as well as your
insurance information and cards. You should store copies of these in a waterproof
folder inside your glove compartment for safe keeping.
Some
vehicles may need more maintenance than others and individual vehicles should
have specific maintenance instructions posted from the manufacturer or can be
found online through the manufacturer website. Keeping your car in good
condition will not only maximize its lifetime but also keep you and others safe
while on the road.
With
winter weather upon us, you might be interested in
winterizing your vehicle. Check out the link below to learn more!
