Car Care Tips for the Typical Driver

I am not ashamed to admit that I know very little about auto mechanics. If something goes wrong beyond the bit of knowledge I do have, my car goes to the shop. In my 2 decades of driving however, I have learned enough information so that I am able to care for my vehicle and help prevent breakdowns. The following 10 easy tips can be followed by the most inexperienced drivers and will help most cars run at their best.

1. Know your manual
Hopefully your car, whether you acquire it new or used, will include a manufacturer's manual. You should keep this in a safe place in the car. It is very handy as it has instructions on how to do many of the minor maintenance tasks such as checking your oil, tire pressure, brake fluid, changing light bulbs and etc.

If your car does not come with one you should make it a point to get one. Dealers should be able to provide manuals for new cars. Manuals for older cars are often found online, sometimes even for free. Otherwise, they are almost always available for purchase from the car manufacturer.

2. Check your oil and brake fluid

OIL

Get to know what is under the hood of your car. For every car you own in your lifetime you should always know where the oil dipstick is. As cars age they tend to use more, burn or leak oil and checking the oil level is a necessary task. Make it a habit to check your oil every time you fill up the gas tank. With new cars this is overkill, but it will get you into a routine that is good for the car.

BRAKE FLUID

Brake fluid is usually found in a translucent white container somewhere toward the back of the engine. It will have clearly marked levels of Min and Max. The fluid should be at a good level in between those two lines. Although brake fluid does not usually go down very much, it is a good idea to check it regularly.

3. Check your Radiator

This is another part of the car that you need to make sure has plenty of fluid in it at all times. Look under the hood and at the very front of the engine area you'll find the radiator cap. CAUTION: Never open the radiator cap when the car engine is hot! As the engine heats it builds up pressure inside the radiator and if you opened the cap the fluid can gush out and cause serious burns. Allow the car to sit a while and cool down before checking the radiator.

If fluid is not immediately visible upon opening the radiator cap you probably need to add more. Radiator fluid is a mix of anti-freeze and water. How much of each depends on the season and your area. Places that get very cold often put more antifreeze than water especially during the winter months. Consult your manual or a local mechanic on what kind of mixture you need for your car.

4. Don't forget your transmission and power steering fluids!

Transmission Fluid

These are often overlooked even by those who regularly check their oil. Transmissions usually last many years on cars, but even before your car's transmission (or "tranny") goes kaput, you should periodically check the transmission fluid.

Much like the oil, the transmission fluid is checked using a dipstick but it often much shorter and located further down inside the engine. If you notice fluid seems to be going down a lot this could be a sign that your transmission is starting to wear out.

Power Steering Fluid

Cars have had power steering for many years now so even a lot of used cars out there need Power Steering Fluid. When there isn't enough power steering fluid your steering wheel becomes increasingly more difficult to turn. Properly functioning power steering takes very little effort to turn the wheel.

Under the hood the power steering fluid is usually in a white translucent container marked with lines to show you Min and Max levels. Make it a habit to glance at this when you check your oil.

5. The Windshield

Windshield Washing Solution

This is often a forgotten thing until you go to clean your windshield and "poof" nothing comes out. Be sure to add Windshield Washing Solution every couple of months, or more during rainy seasons when there's a lot of water and mud being splattered.

Windshield Wipers

If your wipers don't wipe as smooth and clean as they used to, don't panic. It's actually quite easy to change wiper blades. Check your manual or the book at the parts store to find the proper size. Just follow the instructions in your car manual or on the replacement blade package. Most wiper blades just snap in place and are just as easy to remove.

6. Check Your Tire Pressure

You should keep a tire gauge in your car so that you can check the air levels in your tires regularly, about once a month or so. Again, your manual is the best place to find out what PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) your tires should be at. Some tires do have it marked on their walls, but after some travelling, that might be hard to read.

Keeping your tires at their proper pressure is said to help improve your car's gas mileage.

7. Lights

Lights on a car are very important, and not just the headlights, but taillights, turn signal lights and of course, brake lights. Always check these periodically. Easiest thing to do is have someone stand outside your car while you turn on each light. Otherwise, if by yourself, check at night or when you're in a dark enclosed area, such as a garage.

8. Keep Your Car Clean

Making sure your vehicle stays clean, both inside and out helps to maintain its body life as well as keep its resale value higher. Using fuel injector and/or carburetor cleaner once in a while to clean out the engine also helps your car to continue running smoothly.

9. Scheduled Maintenance is Important

In today's hard economy many of us are loathe to spend money on regularly scheduled oil changes and other maintenance. Your car, however, is affected by lack of maintenance. Try to set aside a little money each month in anticipation of the next trip to the shop your car will require. Regular maintenance does in fact help your car continue to run better and longer.

10. Pay Attention to Your Car

If you drive your car every day you should eventually get to know how it feels when in motion. Take note of how the steering wheel sits in your hands, how the car smells when you drive, and what kind of noises it makes. If any one of these things suddenly changes, as in a new noise, a strange smell or a weird wiggle in the wheel, pay attention to them as they are probably warnings of something going wrong. Consult a mechanic if you are unable to identify the source of the problem.

You are the best defense your car has in preventing breakdowns!