Auto Maintenance Tip #1: Change the Oil
When it comes to important car maintenance items, changing the oil is the most critical. Oil is the lifeblood of your car’s engine. If you run out of oil, your engine will freeze and, well, you will probably need a new engine. At which point, you may as well get a new car.
Oil keeps all the parts in your engine rotating smoothly. But, over time, your oil gets dirty due to exhaust and gas, so it is not as effective. Plus, the heat from the engine breaks down the oil and it becomes thin over time. When thin, the parts in your engine begin to wear out.
As a result, you should change your oil every three months or 3,000 miles. But, in some cases, you can go 5,000 or even 10,000 between oil changes, especially with some newer vehicles. Regardless, you should check your manual and see what they recommend for your car.
Tip #2: Replace the Air Filter
The air filter keeps the air going into your engine clean. It removes dirt and other impurities that can damage your engine. But, it can get clogged over time. When it gets clogged, your engine will not be able to pull in as much air. As a result, you will not get as much horsepower or gas mileage. And, you can run the risk of your car simply stalling and dying.
Like oil changes, how frequently you change your air filter can vary. A lot depends on the number of miles you have driven and what the air conditions were when putting on those miles. That being said, you should consider changing your air filter every 7,000 or so miles.
Tip # 3: Check Brake Pads
You like stopping, right? So, you can imagine it is important to keep an eye on your brake pads and get them replaced when they wear. Pads can last a long time, or go quickly depending on how you drive. If you are an aggressive driver that rapidly accelerates and then slams on the brakes to stop, your pads will not last long. Also, if you are one of those that drives while riding the brake pedal, again your pads will go quickly. If you live where it is hilly, you will likely wear them down faster than normal.
So how do you know when to replace your pads. Most pads come with a metal tab inside them. As they wear, the metal tab becomes exposed to the rotor and creates a squealing sound. When you hear it, it is time to replace your pads. If you own a newer BMW or other high-end cars, many have an electronic warning that you will see on the dashboard.
Maintenance Tip #4: Check Tire Wear
Tires are a very important car maintenance item, after all, they are what keeps you on the road. But, these are often low on the list of maintenance items for a lot of people. Most tires are rated for around 40,000 miles, but that can vary. Here in Colorado, they don’t last that long as our tires lose air pressure more rapidly due to altitude. Also, the heavier your car, your tires may wear faster. Regardless, you should rotate your tires a couple of times a year and ensure you get an alignment every year or so. This will help keep the wear a little more even on the tire.
Tires come with wear indicators in the tread. When your treads become even with the wear bar, then you will need to buy new tires. Every month, just check your tire wear, especially the outer and inner sections. Run your hand over them and see if the tread is even.
How to Use this Information
We hope this list will help you prioritize service maintenance for your car. When push comes to shove, you should ensure these items are the focus for your vehicle. But, every now and then, you will need to do a full service to check transmission, fuel injectors, belts, hoses as well as all the other fluids in your car. And, if you need any auto body repair work, we can help on that front. Call us at 303-344-2212 or contact us online.
You make a great point about checking the tire wear. I think two of my tires are bald. I’ll have to have them replaced.