Simple Preventative Car Maintenance Tips: What You Need to Do and When

Want to save a bundle on future repairs?

Extend the life of your car?

Keep your car happy?  Keep YOU happy?

Of course you do. Your car is a big investment—an investment you depend on to get to work, to get the kids to school, or just to get you where you need to go.

But even though we use them on a daily (or near daily) basis, many people here in Victoria don’t pay any attention to their vehicle until something goes wrong. They get by doing the absolute minimum on their car, and that decision often comes with a hefty price tag.

What these people don’t realize is that many auto problems are preventable. All it takes is a little love and attention! Here are a few things you can do to keep your car on the road as long as possible (and keep your wallet in your pocket as long as possible).

For Every Month

Give your car a once over

This one’s easy. Before you hop in the car, give it a little inspection. Check your tire pressure, wipers, fluid levels, blinkers, headlights, hoses and anything else you can get your hands (and your peepers) on. If anything looks out of the ordinary, you can take care of it before it becomes an even bigger issue.

If you don’t know how to check your fluid levels (wiper fluid, transmission fluid, brake fluid, engine oil, coolant), now’s the time to learn. Make friends with your owner’s manual, or ask someone who knows what they’re doing. Your car (and your wallet) will thank you.

For Every 6 Months

Rotate your tires

Switching up the positions of your tires will extend their tread life, improve your gas mileage and ensure your car handles the way it’s supposed to. In other words, this easy task will save you cash and keep you safe. If you see signs of uneven wear, you may have a worn out steering or suspension component.

And don’t forget to inspect the spare tire. It doesn’t necessarily need rotation, but it does need inflation.

Check your air filter

The air filter provides clean air to your vehicle’s engine. If you ignore it and let it become clogged or dirty, it can lower your gas mileage and make your engine idle or run roughly.

An easy way to remember is to check it every time you change the oil. If you’re not sure if the filter is ready to be switched out, bring your car in and we’ll take a look at it for you.

Change your oil

Engine oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle. It cools, cleans, lubricates and seals the internal components of your engine. So if you don’t change the oil on a regular basis, your engine will experience catastrophic failure. And that’s not a small repair!

If you aren’t up to changing the oil yourself, (or simply don’t want to), you can always take your car in for a professional oil change. The perk of this (aside from not getting your hands dirty) is that the mechanic will look over your car from bumper to bumper and let you know of any issues that may need to be addressed in the future. It’s a treat for your car and gives you peace of mind.

For Every 12 Months

Have you air conditioning inspected and tested

Your car’s air conditioning system suffers from wear and tear even when you think you’re not using it. The A/C system is always working regardless of the season.So even though it worked great last summer, there’s always the chance you’ll be stuck in the Colwood Crawl for an hour, in the middle of August, without coffee, and without A/C. Not pretty.

That’s why it’s so important to be on the lookout for warning signs and to have your air conditioning serviced before the hot weather hits.

Get your brakes inspected

We’ve all had one of those situations where our car got a little too close for comfort to a tree, an animal, or another vehicle. Braking is a part of life, and if you want your brakes to be there when you need them most, they must be regularly inspected and maintained.

And being such an important safety feature, it’s best to have your brakes inspected by the pros.

If you have any questions about any of these procedures, or want to know what else you can do to keep your car in tip top shape, get in touch with us! We work with all makes and models and would be more than happy to give you a hand!