10 Essential Car Maintenance Checks You Should Do

Let’s break down the 10 car maintenance checks you should be doing to keep your ride running smoothly. Keeping your car in good shape doesn’t have to be a hassle. With a few simple, regular checks, you can prevent big problems down the road and save yourself a lot of money and stress.

1. Check Your Engine Oil

Your engine needs oil to keep all its moving parts lubricated and to prevent overheating. Low or dirty oil? That’s a recipe for engine trouble.

How to Do It:

• Pop the hood and find the dipstick.
• Pull it out, wipe it off, then dip it back in.
• Pull it out again to check the level. If it’s low, add the right kind of oil.

2. Check Tire Pressure

Tire pressure affects how your car handles, your fuel efficiency, and your safety. Too low? You’ll wear out your tires faster. Too high? You’ll have a bumpier ride.

How to Do It:

• Use a tire pressure gauge to check the PSI.
• Compare it to the recommended pressure in your car’s manual or on the driver-side door.
• Add air if needed, and don’t forget the spare!

3. Inspect Tire Tread

Your tires need good tread for grip, especially in bad weather. Worn tires mean less traction, which could spell trouble.

How to Do It:

• Use a tread depth gauge or the “coin trick.” Insert a coin (head down) into the tread.
• If you can see the top of the coin, your tires are too worn and need replacing.

4. Test Your Battery

Nobody wants to get stuck with a dead battery. A quick check can tell you if your battery is still holding a charge.

How to Do It:

• Look for corrosion around the battery terminals.
• Use a multimeter to check the voltage engine off— anything above 12.24v 50% of the battery life.
• Charging check engine running use multimeter fan full speed and headlights on charging rate should be at idle speed in range 13.6v-14.3v

5. Inspect Brake Pads

Your brakes are literally your lifeline on the road. Worn brake pads can reduce your stopping power and put you in danger.

How to Do It:

• Listen for squeaking or grinding when you brake—that’s a sign your pads are wearing out.
• Peek at the pads through your wheels. If they look thin, it’s time to swap them out.

6. Check Coolant Levels

Coolant keeps your engine from overheating. Low coolant? You could end up with a steaming engine on the side of the road.

How to Do It:

• Wait until the engine is cool, then check the coolant reservoir.
• The level should be between the minimum and maximum lines. If it’s low, top it off.

7. Inspect the Air Filter

Your engine needs clean air to run efficiently. A dirty air filter can cut down on performance and make your car work harder than it needs to.

How to Do It:

• Find the air filter box under the hood.
• Open it up and check the filter. If it’s covered in dirt and grime, it’s time for a new one.

8. Check Your Lights

Headlights, taillights, and indicators are your main tools for visibility and signaling on the road. Make sure they’re working properly.

How to Do It:

• Turn on your headlights, indicators, and brake lights to see if anything’s out.
• Replace any dead bulbs right away.

9. Inspect Windshield Wipers

Worn wipers can make it hard to see in bad weather. Don’t wait for a rainy day to find out they’re not doing the job.

How to Do It:

• Check for any cracks or tears in the blades.
• Give them a test run with water—if they leave streaks, it’s time for new ones.

10. Monitor Fluid Levels

Your car runs on more than just oil and gas. Other fluids—like brake fluid, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid—need to be at the right levels for everything to work smoothly.

How to Do It:

• Check the fluid levels using dipsticks or reservoir markers.
• Top off any low fluids, and keep an eye out for leaks.

These 10 simple car maintenance checks checks can make a huge difference in how your car runs and help you avoid expensive repairs. Plus, taking care of your car regularly gives you peace of mind on the road. Make these maintenance checks part of your routine, and your car will thank you!

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