Having a car is not a right, it is a privilege. It is a great privilege to have a car, as it can be very convenient and useful. There are some areas of the country where owning a car can be a disadvantage, like big cities where everything is within walking distance and there are no garages, making you pay for a parking spot. However, in most areas, owning a car is a bonus and can go a long way. If you are lucky enough to own a car, there are a few things you can do to make sure your vehicle lasts as long as possible and stays in great condition. The advantage of owning a car can be overshadowed by the disadvantage of having to continually repair it because it was not properly maintained.
The first step in keeping your car in great shape is to make sure you have it checked regularly. Regular service will include changing the oil and oil filter, refilling all fluids, checking the battery and spark plug connections, and other things. Regular oil changes are very important to your car. It is like a regular diet for your body, it is absolutely necessary. Oil is one of the most important parts of your car’s ability to run smoothly, so all the parts work together as they should. Keep a record of your regular maintenance in the log provided in the back of your owner’s manual. Keeping track of your maintenance, as well as saving receipts to back up your record, will help you get a better price for your car once it’s time to sell or trade it.
In addition to regularly scheduled maintenance, there are also important maintenance steps you need to take over the life of your car that are not required every 3 months or 3,000 miles, like an oil change. These items include things like washing transmissions, clutch work, brake work, etc. You will find a recommended maintenance schedule for your car in your owner’s manual. Typically these issues should be checked every 15K or 30K miles. Every car is different, so be sure to check your manual and know when to make these maintenance visits.
Finally, if you are doing your best to take care of the parts of your car that are under the hood, you must also remember to take care of the external parts of your car. For example, your tires need to be rotated and balanced regularly, as well as replaced when the need arises. Keeping your tires in good shape will affect every other part of your car, so don’t neglect this important step. Also, it is important to keep your car clean. While it obviously looks much better to have a clean car, you also need to keep it clean to avoid pitting or rust. This is especially true if you live in colder climates where road salt is used. Following a regular maintenance schedule for your car’s mechanics and bodywork is the best auto insurance policy you can buy.