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Preventive Maintenance

Preventive Maintenance

We all know proper care on our vehicle is essential to its long-term performance. It is just the same as us getting a routine check-up with the doctor to be sure we are in good health. Regular preventive maintenance can help save money on repairs in the future, and it doesn’t have to be difficult to check on a few things yourself. Basic maintenance items in your car like engine oil changes, transmission fluid, or tires should be a regular thing, it gives you a chance to catch anything serious before it becomes a bigger problem and cost you in the long run.

LifeHacker has a generic checklist designed to help give you a general idea of where to start. Different cars have different requirements, so it is best to start with your owners manual. If for some reason you don't have your car's manual, there are a few helpful websites you can refer to such as Edmunds. If you want to be a little more precautious, you can also take your car to a dealer or auto repair shop. Here are a few things to check, visit LifeHacker for more tips on what to check.

What to Check

-Start off with your own inspection. As basic as it is, give your car a once-over regularly, this can allow you to catch something out of the ordinary. Check your lights, the air pressure in your tires every month as well as the tread, listen for strange sounds inside and out of your vehicle. If you find anything out of the ordinary, don’t ignore it!

-Always check your fluids. Even if you don’t know how to change the antifreeze, power steering, coolant, or even your wiper fluid, you should at least know how to check the fluid levels. There are times when you can see the tank level directly, but most have gauges or dipsticks you can pull out to check current levels against a notch that indicates optimal levels. All in all, just don’t be afraid to pop the hood and have a look at the engine. And also remember: never ignore a leak.

-One of those important fluids to keep an eye on is your oil. Knowing the difference between clean oil and muddy/murky oil will save you a ton on unnecessary changes and gives you a way to tell if something’s wrong with your engine. Check your owners manual to find out how often it should be changed. Don’t just blindly follow the 3,000-mile myth though—for most vehicles it can be as high as 10,000 miles, depending on the oil your vehicle calls for (something else that’s in the manual).

-Checking and keeping your battery contacts clean is necessary for the battery life and life of your vehicle. Granted, most batteries don’t require a ton of maintenance, but you should make sure there are no leaks, and there are no mineral or other buildup on the contacts. If you find any mineral build-up, clean it using a wire brush. Consider buying a cheap battery tester or jump starter.

Williams Group Auto

These are only a few inspections to go over. These regular inspections are not only for the best interest of your vehicle but for your safety as well. Having a mechanic check it at least once a year can extend the life of your car. We can’t stress enough the importance of checking your owner’s manual for anything we may have overlooked here, or anything specific to your vehicle.

Our staff at Williams Group Auto want you to be safe on the road. We are proud to provide the people of Abilene reliable vehicles. Stop by our three locations or visit our website at www.williamsgroupauto.com to have a look at our stock of used trucks and cars for sale in Abilene.

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