Home maintenance is important, but you shouldn’t overlook maintaining your vehicle. If you put off car maintenance, it could cause major issues down the road. Follow these practices if you want to keep your car in good shape.
1. Replace Your Brake Pads Every 25,000 Miles
Brake pads become less effective over time. This can put you at serious risk, especially if you happen to be driving in snowy or icy weather. In the U.S., weather plays a role in around 21% of all vehicle collisions.
To make matters worse, failing to take care of your brake pads could cause your brake rotors to fail. Even if you manage to catch the issue before it causes an accident, it can be costly to repair. It’s best to be proactive and replace your brake pads before you see any signs of a problem.
2. Replace Bad Headlight Bulbs Right Away.
You need to be able to see clearly when you’re driving in the dark. If one of your headlight bulbs goes bad, you should replace it immediately. You may even want to consider upgrading to a high-performance bulb that has a longer lifespan.
Driving without headlights can get you a ticket. More importantly, the decreased visibility caused by low headlights can significantly increase the risk of an accident. If your headlights have stopped working, or if the lights seem dimmer than usual, you should have them repaired as soon as possible.
3. Change Your Air Filter Every 15,000 Miles
Dirty air filters can impact your car’s performance. When an air filter is filthy, you may also find it harder to accelerate. To avoid problems, it’s best to have your air filter changed every 15,000 miles.
Watch out for signs that your air filter needs to be changed. If your car’s gas mileage is worse than usual, or if the filter is visibly dirty, you may want to have it changed even soon.
4. Maintain Your Driveway
Taking care of your home could potentially help you to take better care of your vehicle. If driveways aren’t properly maintained, they could develop cracks or holes, which could damage your vehicle. Regular driveway maintenance can help you keep your car in good shape.
Wash your driveway with a pressure washer at least once per year. According to the Long Beach Water Department, pressure washers use two gallons of water a minute, which is much less than a garden hose which uses 20 gallons per minute. Once your driveway is clean, consider applying a sealant that will protect it from damage.
5. Prepare Your Car for the Winter
If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, you may want to take steps to get your car ready for the winter season. Snow tires can make it easier for you to drive on snow and ice. Driving on slippery roads is dangerous, and you’ll benefit from the protection that snow tires provide.
It’s also a good idea to have your battery inspected before winter begins. Battery capacity reduces in cold weather. If your battery is in bad shape, your car could fail to start when temperatures drop.
6. Keep Your Car Safe When It’s Parked
It’s best to stay out of the sun if you have to park your car on the street. Not only can the sun damage the interior of your car, but it can even cause your dashboard to melt and crack!
If you plan on storing your car for a long period, you should keep it covered to reduce the risk of damage. Ideally, you should start your car from time to time so that the battery doesn’t go dead. If you store your car in a garage, make sure the heating and cooling system works properly. According to Comfy Living, the global market size of HVAC systems was $240.8 billion in 2019, so call a professional if something is wrong.
Car repairs can be a big headache. Thankfully, it’s much easier to keep a vehicle in good shape when you give your car the care it needs. These simple auto maintenance tips will help you keep your car in great condition in the years to come.
Elor McDori
