Properly caring for your vehicle and maintaining it is essential to keeping
it in good condition and preventing costly repairs. It also ensures your
safety, including other drivers and your passengers. Here are some maintenance
tips you can perform to keep your vehicle driving smoothly.
Inspect & Maintain Your Tires
Knowing your car’s recommended tire PSI can assist you in maintaining your tire
pressure, helping you reduce wear and tear, and get better gas mileage.
Maintaining your tire pressure involves knowing your recommended PSI, checking
PSI, and inflating or deflating your tires accordingly. Flat tires can be
dangerous and a hazard to all driver’s safety. Some ways to avoid a blowout
include tire rotations and keeping an eye out for tire recalls.
Check & Change Your Oil
It is essential to routinely check your oil to ensure your engine stays in
working condition. It would be best to check oil levels monthly and change your
oil as directed by your owner’s manual. You can change your oil yourself or at
your local auto repair shop.
If doing it yourself, make sure to learn the necessary steps and the right type
of oil for your specific vehicle make and model to prevent issues later on.
Test Your Lights
While a burnt-out or broken light bulb will get you a ticket, it is also a
safety hazard. Make sure to test all lights, including brights. Sometimes a
light malfunction can be a fuse rather than the bulb. When unsure, head over to
your trusted local auto repair shop and ask for some assistance in inspecting
your lights.
Watch Your Fluids
Several fluids need to be maintained and kept at appropriate levels to keep
your car working properly. Your trusted mechanic or you should watch the
following fluids, coolant, engine oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and
power steering. Inadequate fluid or leaks could cause your vehicle to drive
differently and damage your vehicle. If you see a leak, you may be able to
determine the fluid by color. This can assist you or your trusted mechanic
where the leak is coming from, speeding up repairs.
Regular Scheduled Maintenance
While you can perform some routine maintenance at home, others require a
trained mechanic. In the event of a check engine light coming on, take your car
over to your trusted local auto repair shop. Trained mechanics can diagnose the
issue through your vehicle’s onboard diagnostics port or OBD-II.
Hinckley Auto is Salt Lake County’s best auto repair shop. Contact them today for stellar and trustworthy service.
