As car owners, we try our best to maintain our vehicles. But when it comes down to details, like changing the oil or rotating the tires, most of us tend to ignore them. Let’s face it; there are too many items in a checklist that seems daunting and labor-intensive. Although, in the long run, they do help prolong the life of our cars, it is much easier just to let the auto repair mechanic take care of them.
The problem with this approach is that neglecting these maintenance items will affect your car’s performance and increase the cost of ownership down the road. Needless to say, if you are looking for ways to bring down the costs of owning a car, all you require to do is take care of the essential maintenance requirements.
Top 10 Most Overlooked Maintenance Things in a Car
1. Changing the oil
Even though changing your car’s oil is one of the cheapest maintenance items you can do, it falls on the list of the most commonly ignored items. Just because you don’t want to take your car to a service center or have it serviced, it is not like you can do it in your driveway unless you want to deal with engine oil spilling all over the place.
Keeping your car’s engine oil fresh will help increase its longevity. Not to mention it will prevent your engine from overheating, which can bring about permanent damage.
2. Rotating the tires
Most of the time, people tend to forget about rotating their tires. But it is one of the simplest maintenance requirements you can do for your car. Rotating the tires will ensure that they wear evenly, thus extending their life. You also get to save on fuel consumption since rotating your tires will make them roll more efficiently on the road. An easy reminder is to get your tires rotated during your car’s oil change in the car repair shop.
3. Not Inspecting the Cooling System
You should also have your car’s cooling system checked regularly with regular oil checks. The last thing you want is coolant leaks or contaminations, which can cause severe damage to the engine. Other potential issues include failing seals, faulty hoses, and clogged water pump cavities.
4. Neglecting Fluid Checks
Besides motor oil, there are several other fluids in your car, including brake fluid, engine coolant, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid. All these fluids are essential for your car’s proper operation. Yet they are regularly neglected by new or inexperienced drivers.
Here is the thing; if you neglect the maintenance of these fluids, they may cost more down the road in terms of time and money. For instance, neglecting brake fluid can render your brakes useless. This may result in higher repair costs and dangerous driving conditions. In addition, if you fail to change the power steering fluid, it will cause your engine to suffer from excess heat, which speeds up the wear-and-tear process, thus rendering expensive repairs necessary.
It is best to check your car’s fluids at the auto garage before starting a long road trip or before putting it into storage during the winter months.
5. Driving with an Overheating Engine
Driving with a car that is overheating can lead to serious engine damage. This condition occurs when the cooling system can no longer remove heat from your engine. You should stop driving your car immediately once you feel it is running too hot.
If you keep on driving, this will cause foreign material in your coolant system, which will lead to further damage. A great way to evade this is by getting your car’s cooling system inspected regularly.
6. Ignoring Light Bulbs
If your car is equipped with xenon headlights, regular replacing the bulbs can make a notable difference in your car’s visibility and overall safety. The same applies to fog lights, brake lights, and tail lights.
Although these bulbs are usually inexpensive, a lot of car owners tend to ignore them until they stop working. If you notice one of your light bulbs is not working, it would be best to replace them with a similar type and rating. And that way, you will get their total performance to be consistent.
7. Neglecting Tire Pressure
Having a fair amount of air in your tires is essential for their durability and performance on the road. Yet many car owners ignore checking their tire air pressure. As a result, some might think that the recommended tire pressure is too high or too low for them to check.
Not knowing the right amount of pressure in your tires can affect their rolling resistance, fuel economy, and even safety. An easy way to keep your tires in good condition is to check them regularly. You can do this either at home or ask your local mechanic to check your air pressure.
8. Failing to Change Air Filters
Your car’s air filter is responsible for filtering the air which goes into your engine. This air passes through many small pores to clean out dust and soot along the way. And you should replace or clean it regularly to ensure proper functionality.
If you fail to change your air filter, it will eventually allow dirt and grime to build up along the way, which will cause damage to your car’s valves, pistons, and cylinders.
9. Not changing your Windshield Wipers
Windshield wipers are part of your car’s safety equipment because they help you see better during bad weather, especially during the winter. And they should be replaced regularly to ensure proper performance. A good rule of thumb is to replace your windshield wiper blades at least once a year or when its rubber has worn thin, which can cause streaking and smearing.
10. Trying to Troubleshoot your vehicle
Many car owners are tempted to try troubleshooting their own vehicles based on online tutorials. Although this might seem easier, it is best to leave the repairs to a qualified auto repair mechanic. Also, troubleshooting complex problems can take years of experience, which is hard for an amateur to accomplish.
If you have any doubts about your car’s safety, the best approach to take is to schedule an appointment with your car service center. An expert will diagnose the problem and make the necessary repairs properly.
In Conclusion
So, it is an essential task to keep your car well maintained. It ensures your vehicle is in good working order to safely get you from point A to B. You might not think that it is necessary to check your car regularly for issues. Still, problems can arise unexpectedly, so it is always better to be proactive instead of reactive with these repairs.
Following these simple steps can keep your car in tip-top shape, saving you money on costly repairs down the line. It will ensure that you keep it in good condition for a long time, saving you ample money and headaches down the road.
If you live in Cincinnati and are looking for a reliable auto repair shop, visit Ulmer’s Auto Care. It offers the best car repair services at affordable prices. They specialize in preventative maintenance, oil changes, and tire rotation, among other things. So leave your car in trusted hands!
