10 Automotive Maintenance Tips to Know

You want your vehicle to last a long time on the Independence roads, and that’s why you never miss a beat with your automotive maintenance schedule. Most drivers bring their vehicles to a service center for routine maintenance, which is the best way to get hassle-free, reliable service. Still, there are some maintenance things that every driver should know how to do on their own. Join Spitzer Kia Cleveland below to learn what those things are! We’ll give you our top 10 automotive maintenance tips, including service checks that are easy to accomplish at home in Brookpark.

What Can You Do for Your Car at Home?

You don’t have to be a trained technician to understand the basics of vehicle care. If you keep these automotive maintenance tips handy, you’ll be on the road to a future of worry-free drives in your vehicle!

1. Know Your Owner’s Manual: Your manual explains your automotive maintenance schedule, but it also contains information and diagrams on every feature, function, and component of your vehicle. 
2. Inspect the Vehicle: Using your owner’s manual to learn where your vehicle’s major components are located, you can check for signs of fluid leaks and other potential issues before they become problematic.
3. Check Your Tire Pressure and Treads: You should know how to check your tires if the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) indicates low pressure. If you’re driving a newer vehicle with a digital dashboard, there may be a feature that shows the exact PSI of each tire. If not, keep a tire pressure gauge in your car to determine which tire(s) have low pressure. You should also inspect the tire treads regularly; when the tread bars are flush with the tires, it’s time for new ones.
4. Check the Engine Oil Level: Every driver should know where their car’s oil dipstick is located and how to remove it to check the oil level. You should also check the color of the oil; sludgy or gritty oil is a red flag.
5. Check the Engine Coolant: Use your manual to locate the coolant reservoir and check the coolant level routinely.
6. Inspect the Engine Air Filter: Regularly check the engine air filter to see if it’s still clean enough to filter out contaminants. If the filter looks extremely dirty or clogged, it’s time to replace it.
7. Use the Proper Fuel: Make sure you know what type of gas to put in your car. Using the wrong type of fuel can cause engine knocking.
8. Check Light Bulbs: You should regularly check for burnt-out exterior bulbs in the front and back of your car. Grab a friend or family member to help check the bulbs for your brake and reverse lights. Burnt-out bulbs are unsafe and can cause you to get a citation.
9. Inspect the Windshield Wipers: Replace your wipers if they’re streaking or skipping across the windshield. You can also do a visual inspection for cracked or peeling rubber.
10. Keep Track of Maintenance: Finally, drivers should keep track of their automotive maintenance schedule. Save your service write-ups from maintenance visits, but also keep a record of when you do things at home, like replacing bulbs or wipers and inspecting the oil.

Rely On Us for Service in Cleveland!

One more automotive maintenance tip is to check for applicable service offers before every appointment! You can get savings on oil changes, tire rotations, and more. Let us know if you have any other questions about caring for your vehicle at home in Parma, or schedule an appointment if you need something done by the professionals!