Maintaining your car is very important, as it helps in avoiding breakdowns and future problems. With regular maintenance, your car will drive longer and more efficiently. Below are some of the thing you need to know about fluids, filters and tires.
Fluids
Fluids like anti-freeze, motor oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, rear end oil, power steering fluid and fuel are basically the lifeblood for a car and have to be maintained at proper levels. Each has its own function to perform. For instance, motor oil normally keeps all the parts of the engine lubricated and without it, your engine will lock up. If your vehicle is older than 2002, you should probably change it every 3,000 miles. Newer cars typically need an oil change every 3,000 miles. On the other hand, coolant is essential in keeping the engine block and cylinder heads cool. Ensure that you have proper lubrication of suspension parts using grease.
Filters
The fluid filter, oil filter and fuel filter are very important in that they keep fluids cleanly running through a car without any dangerous contaminants. Clean filters allow fresh air to enter, while dirty ones will use more energy and result in more fuel use.
Tires
Another very crucial auto maintenance tip is tire rotation. Rotate them every 5,000 to 8,000 miles to extend the life of your tires. Get a balance check on your tires if you feel vibrations or notice an odd wear pattern to avoid excessive wear and tear and increased fuel consumption. Also remember to check your tire pressure to improve gas mileage and safety. Lastly, check your wheel alignment after 15,000 to 20,000 miles.
Refer to your vehicle’s manual for a concrete maintenance schedule to follow, and have your teen driver take a look at our Teenage Driving Safety Tips. Allow Meyer’s Service to do your routine maintenance checks. Call us at (314) 892-1071 for the best maintenance care that will keep your vehicle running in tip-top shape.