If you don’t take care of your car, it will break down and you won’t be able to get to work. If you lose your job because you can’t get to work, you will not have the money to pay the rent or house mortgage, and you’ll lose your place to live. It’s a domino effect.
We asked the mechanics of Compassion Restoration Ministry how to best take care of your car.
Here are their tips.
| Once a Week | |
| Oil Level | Check the owner’s manual (or Google an online manual) to learn whether you should check the oil when the engine is warm or cool. The manual will also let you know which grade of oil to use.
To check the oil, pull out the dipstick, wipe it off, then reinsert it. Pull it out again to check the oil level. A safe oil level is between the upper-level and lower-level marks. If the level is below the lower mark, add a quart of oil into the oil reservoir. Use the best synthetic oil you can afford for your car. It does cost more if you compare it to cheap oil, but with synthetic oil, you can typically go twice as long between oil changes, and it will make the engine last longer. |
| Gas | Keep at least half a tank of gas in the car. This will increase the life of your car’s fuel pump and prevent other fuel system problems because it helps cool the fuel pump. Running low on gas or running out of gas will shorten the life of the fuel pump.
Use Top Tier gas. NOTE: This is NOT a higher octane gas like Premium. Top Tier gas contains increased detergents and helps keep the fuel system cleaner, which saves you money in the long run. Here is a list of gas stations that carry Top Tier gas: autolist.com/guides/top-tier-gas. |
| Tires | Check tire inflation when the tires are cool. Checking the tires every time you fill the gas tank is a good habit. Under-inflated and over-inflated tire pressures cause dangerous conditions that may contribute to a crash. Follow the recommended tire pressure listed in your owner’s manual or posted on the inside door of the car. Do not use the tire pressure listed on the sides of the tires. |
| Once a Month | |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | Check the fluid level. Add fluid if necessary. Check the owner’s manual for directions.
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| Brake Fluid | Check the fluid level. Add fluid, if necessary. Check the owner’s manual for directions. |
| Every 6 Months | |
| Windshield Wiper Blades | Check the blades for signs of wear. Replace them if they are hard, cracked, brittle, or leave streaks. You will normally go through 2-3 sets a year, depending on the weather conditions where you live.
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| Tires | Have a mechanic rotate the tires according to the owner’s manual instructions, and check for tire tread wear.
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| Power Steering | Check the fluid level. Add fluid, if necessary. Check the owner’s manual for directions.
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| Oil Change | How often you should get the oil changed is determined by the number of miles the car has been driven and the type of oil used. Check the owner’s manual. Regular oil changes improve your engine’s performance, increase how long it lasts, and help your car get more miles per gallon of gas. Don’t try to save money by not changing the oil filter as well. The filter removes stuff that’s not good for the engine. |
Enjoy your well-maintained car. And if you have air conditioning, take it from our editor – turn it off before shutting the car off. This is an important lesson she learned the expensive way one very hot summer.
