Whether you’ve received your driving license on your 17th birthday or learned how to drive in your late 20s, safety remains a priority to every new driver.
While you may follow the speed limits as well as keep your eyes on the road, car maintenance and repair are equally important parts of becoming a responsible and safe driver.
Unfortunately, most DMV tests and driving schools don’t cover these important skills. This is why experts at D Wells Auto suggest that you consider the following repair and maintenance tips to keep you safe:
1. Regularly Look at the Battery
As with your remote control, phone, or computer, a dead or faulty battery in a car is inconvenient. In addition to needing a new charge, build-up of corrosion is a common battery problem many car owners deal with.
Too much corrosion on a car’s battery will make it difficult to charge properly, ultimately leading to the need for a new one and even causing damage to the vehicle.
In order to prevent this issue, just disconnect the battery cables as well as use stainless steel or a brush to clean the car battery properly.
2. Replace Brake Pads
Do you regularly hear an unusual squeaking sound when hitting your brakes? If that is the case, brake pads can be the cause of the problem.
Replacements may cost around $295 per axle, including the labor charge when hiring an expert to help you install them. While this price tag can be hefty, replacing brake pads is important as it will prevent you from getting into a car accident.
3. Regularly Change Engine Oil
The engine oil helps to keep every moving part lubricated to keep wear and tear minimal. It also helps to trap dirt, sediments, and dust, keeping them out of the bay.
Ensure you always check the oil level in the engine every month and top it when it is low. Oil change and grade intervals are subject to a car manufacturer’s recommendations.
4. Change the Air Filters
The air filter is accountable for getting rid of debris and dirt from the air, which is pumped into a car’s engine. While you rack up miles on your vehicle, the air filters will be inundated with debris and should be changed.
Experts recommend that you change the air filters every 200,000 miles. However, you can still do so sooner if you often drive your car through dusty places.
5. Replace Your Windshield Wipers
If your wipers don’t clean well, you need to change them. Plus, you should try cleaning your wipers each type you stop at a gas station to buy fuel. You may do that by using a clean and damp paper towel.
If you are still wondering when to change your windshield wiper blades, experts recommend doing so between seven months and one year or whenever you notice they have a problem.
Concluding Remarks!
No one likes digging deeper into their pockets to enlist the services of a mechanic. This is why it is best to consider DIY maintenance and taking preventative measures, especially if you are driving a car, which is regarded as ‘old and outdated’ by today’s standards.