These Care Care Dos and Donts will Help you Get the Most from your Automobile

You depend on your automobile to get you where you need to go, which is why caring for it properly is essential. Here are some car care do’s and don’ts you can follow to make maintaining your vehicle a breeze.

Car Care Do’s

The most important thing you can do to keep your vehicle in good condition is to have regular maintenance performed. Follow your manufacturer’s recommendations regarding oil changes, fluid flushes and other routine service to provide optimum performance and reduce the odds of a breakdown. Aside from performing routine maintenance you should also:

• Check tire pressure on a regular basis, and inflate or deflate as needed
• Wash your vehicle often to prevent damage to the finish
• Inspect your windshield wiper blades regularly for signs of damage, particularly in the winter when cold temperatures may cause them to crack
• Keep some basic tools, including a jack, tire iron and jumper cables, in the trunk of your car at all times
• Routinely check the operation of your seat belt, horn, turn signals, brake lights, tail lights and headlights

Car Care Don’ts

While it is also important to follow your manufacturer’s schedule regarding maintenance, keep in mind that the type of maintenance you require could vary based upon your driving habits. Many shops pressure owners into scheduling maintenance based upon “severe” driving conditions, which may or may not be necessary. Severe maintenance is typically only needed when you regularly operate on dusty roads, in stop-and-go traffic, or routinely tow objects.

Other things to avoid include:

• Using hot water on your windshield to melt ice, as this could cause it to crack
• Repeatedly attempting to turn the key when your vehicle will not start, since this might cause excess wear to certain mechanical parts or result in your key breaking off in the ignition
• Turning your defrosters on high when defrosting your windows, because this can also cause glass to crack. Defrosting on medium high heat is recommended instead.

Of course, this is just an overview, as there are actually several other things that should be considered when caring for your car. We recommend you become familiar with the requirements stated in your owner’s manual, and then contact us if you have any further questions or concerns.