Simple Car Maintenanceby Marily | More from this Blogger 12 May 2006 01:42 PM One simple way to save money is to take good care of what you've got. This is especially true for our cars which are some of our most costly possessions. Here are a few reminders about simple car maintenance. Keeping your car in good condition not only will save you money in repairs, it will also mean your vehicle will last years longer. Engine Oil Check the oil when your car is on a level surface and the engine is cold. Test the oil level by pulling out the dipstick, wiping it clean, then reinserting it before looking for the line of oil on the stick. Make sure to get your oil and filter changed regularly. Keeping clean oil in your car is one of the single most important things you can do to keep your engine running smoothly. Coolant Check your coolant level every 2-4 weeks. NEVER remove a radiator cap from a hot car! The steam or boiling coolant can burn you. Coolant is especially important as the weather gets warmer. It keeps your car from overheating and damaging the engine and its parts. Never drive a vehicle when it is overheating, as this will only lead to more problems. Tires Make sure to check your tire pressure periodically, possibly every couple of weeks. When your tires are at the correct pressure level, your vehicle will get better gas mileage. In addition, your tires are likely to wear less quickly. This is especially true in hot weather. Hot weather can really damage tires, especially when they are under-inflated. You'll also want to be aware of the overall condition of your car's tires. Make sure to look each tire over for cracks, punctures, or bulges. Take a look at the tread on your tires as well, to see if it is worn excessively. Keep a Spare Keep a spare tire in your car and don't neglect to make sure it is properly inflated. Make certain, too, that you have the tools handy that you would need to change a flat. A spare tire will not do you much good if you don't have a jack and a tire iron. The cost of keeping these items in your car is far less than calling for a tow truck. Relevantfrugal tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags car maintenance, cars, repairs Discuss this article
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