As a vehicle owner, you want to keep your car running smoothly. You also want to lengthen the life of your vehicle and avoid expensive repairs. Of course, you do! After all, nobody likes the surprise of an enormous mechanic’s bill.
Fortunately, it is possible to achieve these goals and keep your car running smoothly throughout the year! The best way to get there is with routine vehicle maintenance as outlined below.
By fixing (or preventing) small problems before they become significant issues, routine auto repair reduces strain on your car and helps it stay reliable and safe. It also makes driving more relaxing and gives you the peace of mind you need as you navigate your daily commute.
In this blog, we’ll share our top 10 tips to keep your car running smoothly in Pensacola and beyond.
10 Auto Repair and Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Car Running Smoothly
Whether you log hundreds of miles each month or just want to keep your daily driver in good repair, these ten auto repair and maintenance tips can help:
1. Choose a vehicle with a good track record
The best auto repair tip we have is to choose a quality vehicle from the get-go. If you’re purchasing a used car, we recommend taking it to a mechanic for a pre-purchase exam.
You should also do your due diligence and research any car you intend to purchase, paying special attention to maintenance and safety concerns.
2. Inspect and maintain your tires
Your tires are your car’s main point of contact with the road and one of the critical systems that helps your vehicle stay safe. Because of this, knowing how to maintain your car’s tires is a critical way to improve handling and get good gas mileage.
We recommend checking your tire pressure every time you gas up and adding or releasing air as needed. You should also have your tires rotated every 5,000-10,000 miles and watch out for relevant tire recalls.
3. Check and change oil and fluids regularly
Your car’s fluids are its lifeblood, and keeping them clean and filled is important. With this in mind, check your oil each month and get an oil change every 3,000-5,000 miles, depending on the recommendation in your owner’s manual.
When you get your oil changed, the mechanic performing the maintenance will also check your car’s other fluids and recommend filling or replacing fluids as needed.
4. Replace your windshield wipers
While they may not seem that important, your car’s windshield wipers are essential. During heavy rain or poor weather, windshield wipers increase visibility and make driving safer.
With this in mind, inspect the blades often and replace them at least twice a year – once in the fall and once in the spring.
5. Test and replace your lights
Broken or burnt-out lightbulbs are safety hazards that can make everyday driving dangerous. Burnt-out bulbs can also earn you traffic tickets and citations if you happen to get pulled over.
Because of this, we recommend inspecting each bulb on your car and replacing dead bulbs as needed. If you’re not sure how to replace a bulb, take your car to your local auto mechanic, who can inspect the vehicle to determine if it’s the bulb or the fuse that should be replaced.
6. Change your engine’s air filter
Dirty, debris-filled engine air filters can introduce particulates and dirt into your car’s engine, reducing its efficiency and its lifespan. To prevent this, we recommend inspecting your car’s air filter at least once a year, and replacing or cleaning it as needed.
7. Have your brakes checked
Your car’s brake pads work hard every time you drive, so we recommend investing in regular brake inspections. For best results, take your car in for a brake check every six months or every time you rotate your tires.
If you drive long distances or tend to drive more aggressively, have your brakes checked more frequently – like every time you have your oil changed. If you notice brake-related warning signs, like brake noise, vibrating, or shuddering, take your car in for a brake check immediately. The safety of you and your family could be riding on it (literally)!
8. Check your car’s belts and hoses
Keeping your car’s belts and hoses in good shape can help your car stay safe and reliable. Because of this, we recommend asking a mechanic to inspect your car’s brakes and hoses during every oil change. This will help ensure they’re in good working condition and prevent major auto repairs related to faulty or broken hoses or belt lines.
9. Check your car battery and electrical systems
If your car has been slow to start, it could be time to have your battery tested. While high-quality batteries last for years, a faulty battery can leave you stranded at a truly inopportune time. With this in mind, have your battery and electrical system inspected at least once a year and before any major trip that you plan to take.
10. Check your vehicle’s safety equipment
Modern cars are equipped with all sorts of safety equipment, from backup cameras and collision detection sensors to lane departure warning systems.
While inspecting some of these require a mechanic’s help (and can be done during a routine annual auto inspection), you can DIY other safety equipment maintenance tasks.
We recommend cleaning any camera lenses and testing your car’s sensors regularly to keep your safety equipment working well.
DeBroux Automotive: We’ll help keep your car running smoothly!
Whether you need routine maintenance or specialized auto repair, it’s essential to work with a mechanic you know and trust.
That’s where DeBroux Automotive comes in.
A team of trusted Pensacola auto repair specialists, our team will work with you to keep your car running smoothly and help you avoid expensive and unnecessary auto repairs.
From routine auto maintenance tasks, like providing an oil change or checking your fluids, to more extensive repairs, you can trust our team to deliver the honest, comprehensive services you need to stay safe on the road.
Ready to learn more about DeBroux and how our services can help you? Contact us today.