Top Ten Tips for Car Maintenance

Anyone who has taken their car into the shop to get it fixed for something preventable knows how much money it costs ' enough to make your eyes water. In order to avoid these unnecessary costs it is a simple matter of carrying out some basic maintenance every once in a while. Here are some of the most beneficial things you can do to ensure you do not throw money away.

1. Rotate your tires every 5,000 miles. There are some people who disagree with this, saying that when tires are worn you should just replace them. But if you do this every time they get worn you will cost yourself money. In between replacements you can at least ensure they wear evenly by rotating them.
2. Check your tire pressure once every week. It takes very little time, is easy to do and the benefits are clear. It increases fuel economy ' saving you money and benefiting the environment. It also improves handling and comfort while driving, so there really is no reason not to.
3. Check your drive belt regularly. Once every 25,000 miles should be often enough, and it will enable you to set your mind at rest to a large extent as the drive belt affects a great deal of different components.
4. Check your oil level about every 3,000-4,000 miles. Without checking the oil, you can have a great deal go wrong with your car, and all for the sake of not doing something that takes very little time and effort on your part. Topping it up is as simple as ABC, and will spare you repair costs.
5. Check your coolant level. Without the right level of coolant your radiator will not draw heat from the engine, the engine will overheat and you will soon know about it when you are at the side of the road arranging a tow truck.
6. Know your warning lights. Some cars have warning lights that flick on and off for seemingly no reason, but in general if you are getting a warning light it means 'Fix this now!' and not 'Keep an eye out for this!'.
7. Disconnect the battery before working on anything electrical within the car. It takes very little time and prevents you from getting shocks as well as avoiding short circuits should you drop a tool in the engine bay.
8. Use the right gas. Simple, of course, but a lot of people add high octane fuel in cars that do not need it. It costs extra and gives you zero improvement in economy or power. If your car needs it, use it. If it does not, do not.
9. Check your tire treads whenever you get a chance. Tire treads tend to be pretty durable but when they are gone, they are gone. It may cost you to replace them, but it will cost you more if the reduced road hold causes you to wrap the car around a tree.

10.  When you do need to take the car in, develop a good relationship with the mechanic. This way they will tell you honestly what you need, rather than what they can get away with telling you.