20 Vehicle Maintenance Tips

As a young college student juggling job, student teaching, classes and homework, I didn't appreciate the necessity of basic car maintenance. Until my car started ticking and seized up. I called by then-boyfriend, now-husband who came out to the school I was student teaching in. He promptly diagnosed the problem: driver carelessness. He added some oil and hey presto, I was back behind the wheel.

Well, I still am a little lax in the car care arena and rely far too heavily on my maintenance man husband. And I wondered how many folks there are like me who are hardworking, but perhaps a little careless about basic maintenance of their cars. In our technologically advanced vehicles, some basic maintenance tips and practices must still be observed. If we neglect them, our tools and conveniences will be less efficient and and convenient. It can also be dangerous or deadly to neglect them. Here are 20+ things in your vehicle that you should regularly check, change, refill or replace. I've also added some details that might require professional attention.

*A good rule of thumb is that if your car is newer and under warantee, take it to reputable garage. If it's older with no warantee, a knowledgeable friend or family can take care of all of this.

Regularly check these fluid levels and colors:

Car oil: Your oil pan dipstick is located on the side of the engine block and will indicate the proper oil level. Clean oil is clear honey colored; dirty car oil is mucky and dark coffee colored. If your car oil gets dirty, it should be changed; and no matter what it looks like, the oil should be changed every 3,000 miles.

Transmission fluid: If you do not keep the proper amount of transmission fluid in your car, your gears cannot change properly and will stick. Good fluid will be bright red; old dirty fluid will be discolored. It should be changed every 30,000 miles.

Radiator fluid; This helps your vehicle to keep a correct and healthy temperature. It helps the inside of your car to warm up and keeps your engine from overheating in summer and freezing in winter. Glycol radiator fluid is green. Your radiator requires a 50/50 ratio of water and radiator fluid. Newer cars may use a pink fluid called Dex-Cool

Windshield washer fluid; This goes in the opaque plastic bottle with the blue liquid.

Basic car maintenance; Regularly check your:

Tire air pressure: Your tires are rated for a certain PSI (pound per square inch) which is 35 PSI per tire. Keep a tire pressure gauge in your glove compartment and check regularly in cold weather and if your tires are old. Consistent low tire pressure may indicate a problem with your tires, wheels or rims. Low tire pressure can cause flat tires and poor gas mileage.

Wear on tire treads. We used to put a penny into the treads; if we could see Lincoln's head, we knew our tires were getting bald. Look for uneven wear on tires also. Tires should be rotated regularly.

Air filter. It's in that thing that looks like a big covered stove pan. Remove the wing nut and lift the top off; your filter should be free of debris.

Oil filter: this is in different places on different vehicles. Have the garage or knowledgeable friend check. The filter should be replaced if it is full of
of sludge and at least every 3,000 miles in any event. Drain and replace the oil as well.

Idiot (I mean Warning) lights: If any of your dashboard warning lights go on, take your car to the garage. These may be accompanied by a ringing bell. Beware especially of the 'check engine light' and 'brake' lights. This could mean that your car is overheating.

Spark plugs: these little things need the occasional cleaning and gapping to keep your car firing and sparking.

Things to pay watch out for:

Burned out fuses. All the modern electrical gadgets rely on a freakishly large number and variety of fuse things to operate properly. My husband can snap these little critters in and out and he knows what color to use. I'd be better off trying to fly a Russian MIG.

Burned out headlights. Easy to replace; fix-it ticket if you don't (dangerous also).

Burned out tail lights. Same as headlights.

Random odd noises. Ask for help*.

Leaking fluids. Ask for help*.

Odd smells. Ask for help*.

Frozen gas lines: prevent by adding gas line antifreeze in cold weather (pour right into gas tank to keep gas from freezing in winter).

Well good luck. You have been warned by one who also takes a lot on faith. Do as I say, not as I do.