Some people are afraid to do much more to their cars than fill them up with gas, but the truth is that a lot of simple maintenance procedures are easy enough for anyone to perform. It is wise to give your car a once-over every month or so to catch any problems. You can save money and time by performing the following kinds of maintenance yourself.
Replace Wipers
Windshield wiper blades begin to fail after six months or so of regular use, but there is no reason to pay someone to replace them. Blades are readily available at auto parts stores, and your car owner’s manual has instructions and diagrams for how to replace them. The process differs slightly from car to car, but it basically involves lifting the blade, pressing a tab to release the old one, lining up the new blade and popping it into place.
Check Fluids
When you perform your monthly inspection, check your oil, antifreeze, power steering and wiper fluid levels. Sometimes, you can see the tank levels directly. In other cases, you will use a dipstick or gauge to determine levels. Consult your owner’s manual to find out how to check each fluid level, and follow its recommendations for refilling your car.
If your oil looks murky and dark, it’s probably time for an oil change. Follow your owner’s manual’s advice on how often to have the oil changed for maximum performance.
Check Tire Pressure
Buy a tire air pressure gauge, and check your tires either monthly or whenever they look low. You will find the manufacturer’s optimal tire pressure in your owner’s manual or on the information placard on the vehicle’s door edge, doorpost, glove box or fuel door. If needed, head to a gas station to refill them to the correct pressure.
Clean Battery Contacts
Most batteries require little to no maintenance, but sometimes a little corrosion can build up on the contacts and interfere with battery function. If you see flaky white residue on the contacts, remove the battery terminals. Always remove the negative cable first. If the cables are stuck, use a flathead screwdriver to pry them loose. Use a battery cleaning brush along with a battery contact cleaning solution from the auto parts store to remove the white residue. In a pinch, baking soda and water will work as well. Lightly rinse the posts with water, and dry them well before replacing the terminals. This is also a good time to make sure your car has a set of jumper cables in the trunk.
Replace the Air Filter
The air filter keeps the engine clean and directly affects gas mileage. Replacing it sounds daunting, but it’s as simple as checking your car’s fluid levels. Buy the filter recommended in your owner’s manual and follow its guidelines for locate the current filter under the hood. All that’s involved is unscrewing the filter compartment’s lid, taking out the old filter, putting in the new one and screwing the lid back on.