The manufacturer recommends that a car’s air, fuel, and cabin filters be inspected regularly and replaced. Hoses and belts must also be checked, replaced, or repaired.
A check engine light indicates that you should visit your mechanic. Other symptoms warrant a visit, including a shudder, jerk, or bump. Contact Expert Car Care now!
One of the most important elements of car care is ensuring that your tires are properly inflated. Over time, your tires lose air pressure due to normal use and changing temperatures. You should check your tire pressure once a month. The best way to do this is with a pressure gauge. It’s important to ensure the gauge is properly seated on the valve stem and does not leak air or produce a hissing sound. If your tire is overinflated, you can push in on the gauge to release air. If it’s underinflated, you can add more air until it is at the recommended level.
Proper tire pressure is safe and improves fuel efficiency. Many newer cars come equipped with sensors that alert you when tire pressure is low. If your car does not have this feature, a good-quality tire pressure gauge is an affordable investment that will help you maintain the correct air pressure in all of your tires.
Most tire manufacturers recommend a specific psi level for each vehicle. This number is usually on a sticker inside the driver’s side door frame or in the owner’s manual. Keep in mind that these recommendations are based on the size of your original tires and wheels, not any replacements or aftermarket products.
If your car’s tires are underinflated, you will likely notice that it has a different handling feel or that the ride is rough. You should also watch for signs of wear, such as excessive or uneven tread wear. It is always a good idea to walk around your car visually monthly, especially before driving it long distances.
It’s recommended to check your tire pressure at a “cold” tire, meaning it hasn’t been driven for more than a few blocks. Checking the pressure of a hot tire can lead to inaccurate results, since the friction caused by driving can cause the air in your tires to expand. For this reason, it is generally recommended to check your tire pressure in the morning before you drive your car.
Inspect Your Headlights
Inspecting your headlights is one of the easiest ways to improve your visibility and safety on the road. Over time, headlights can become dim or discolored. This is due to a combination of factors including oxidation, trapped water vapor, dirt and road damage. These problems decrease the effectiveness of your headlights and can reduce visibility by 20 percent or more. This is a dangerous situation for any driver, especially when driving at night. Performing regular headlight cleaning and restoration can prevent these issues.
A car’s headlights are a vital part of the vehicle. Without them, drivers would have trouble seeing the road ahead of them and avoiding hazards such as pedestrians and obstacles. While many people know to regularly check the tire pressure of their vehicles, it is less common to inspect the headlights. A simple walk around the car once a month can help you spot potential issues with the lights.
Brightness: A dim light is the most obvious sign that it’s time to replace your headlight bulb. However, if your headlights flicker on and off, this is also a sign that the bulb is nearing its end. It’s best to have a trained Midas technician check out the electrical system and headlight assembly, so they can recommend the correct replacement or repair.
Lenses: The plastic lenses of your headlights can become cloudy over time. This happens as a result of environmental factors and aging. The solution is to clean and polish the headlight lenses with a specialized automotive cleaner and microfiber cloth to remove built-up grime, reducing glare on the road.
Alignment: Headlights should be properly aligned to provide a clear view for the driver and avoid glare for other drivers on the road. This can be done with a visual inspection or by undergoing an electrical or mechanical headlight test.
When testing your headlights, be sure to wear protective glasses. It’s also important to turn off your engine and take the keys out of the ignition. Open the hood and locate the headlight holder at the front of the car. Then, turn on the headlights and look for pools of bright white light in the headlight housings. If your headlights are dim, hazy or yellow in color, it’s time for a new headlight bulb or to have the headlight housing and lens replaced.
Clean Your Car
A clean car can make a difference in your mood and your ability to concentrate on the road. It also can affect your resale value when it comes time to sell or trade in your vehicle. Getting your car professionally detailed can be expensive, but you can do a lot of the cleaning yourself with tools and supplies that you probably already have in your home. For example, you can use rubbing alcohol and distilled white vinegar for interior car cleaning, and baking soda to deodorize your floor mats and absorb oily stains.
Before you start to clean your car, get rid of any trash and clutter in the front and back seats, the door pockets, and the cup holders. You should also remove the floor mats and shake them. Next, vacuum the carpet and seats with your vacuum cleaner hose attachment. If you have leather seats, you should use a saddle soap or a cleaner designed for them.
Dust any hard surfaces in your car, using a duster or a cloth with a microfiber finish. For a more thorough job, dampen a cotton swab or a piece of foam to get into small spaces like vents and knobs, then wipe the surface clean. Apply a wipe to the steering wheel and gear shift knobs, too, to get rid of greasy fingerprints.
Washing your car can be a chore, but it’s important to keep the exterior clean. Use a hose with a low pressure setting to avoid stripping the paint or wax off your car. Fill one bucket with water and add a few squirts of auto-specific soap like Meguiar’s; the other should be filled with plain, clear water. Dip a sponge or car wash mitt in the soapy water, rinsing it periodically in the clear bucket to avoid scratching the finish of your vehicle.
For dirt or bird droppings that don’t come off with regular washing, you can use a bug and tar remover. For tree sap that won’t come off, you can try rubbing alcohol or vinegar. For gum, you can freeze it with compressed air or an ice cube, then scrape it off with a plastic card or knife.
Be Prepared
Seasonal changes in weather, driving conditions and temperature fluctuations can all have an impact on the performance of your vehicle. It’s important to take the time to ensure that your car is equipped to handle the unique challenges of each season.
From changing your tire pressure to checking the air conditioning system, there are many things you can do at home to maintain your car. Performing these simple tasks helps to reduce the likelihood that you will find yourself stranded with a malfunctioning car in an emergency situation.
A well-maintained vehicle is also a safer and more reliable mode of transportation. By prioritizing seasonal car care, you can make the most of your investment while ensuring that your vehicle is ready to navigate the unique challenges posed by winter driving. This includes checking and maintaining the battery, ensuring adequate tire traction, inspecting the braking system, ensuring that heating systems are functioning properly, monitoring antifreeze levels, and keeping windshields clear with functional wiper blades and winter-grade washer fluid.
In addition to performing regular maintenance, you should always have an emergency kit and a full tank of gas in your vehicle at all times. This will allow you to stay on the road in case of a power outage or other natural disaster that may cause roads to become impassable.
As a new driver, it’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed by the number of maintenance and repair items that need to be addressed on a daily basis. However, the more you familiarize yourself with the various components of your vehicle, the easier it will be to perform basic maintenance and determine when it’s time to visit a professional. While some tasks — like checking the tire pressure and installing a set of new windshield wipers — are easily done at home, others require the expertise of a mechanic. Either way, knowing what’s important and what isn’t will help you make the most of your vehicle while avoiding costly repairs down the road.