When you rely on a car for transportation, it’s important to take care of that car. Although we aren’t all mechanics and not everyone knows someone who’s car savvy, there are still simple ways that we can prolong the lives of our vehicles. By being proactive and observant, we can maintain the value of our wheeled investment.
What to look for.
While driving around, it’s important to routinely take note of visible changes in your car. If you are unfamiliar with your dash cluster—the lights and various gauges in your dashboard—check out this article explaining each symbol. When you notice a newly lit light on your dash, consult your car’s manual about it when you reach your destination. If the light is flashing, pull over and check the manual. Flashing lights could mean something is seriously wrong with your engine.
Pro tip: Always keep your car’s manual in the glove compartment.
Although the lights can be distracting, it’s also crucial to pay attention to your gauges. Each gauge serves a purpose, some more important than others (you don’t really need to pay attention to the speedometer, that thing is useless … kidding!). Most cars have six different gauges to keep an eye on:
- Speedometer: Measures your speed.
- Temperature: Measures the temperature of the engine’s coolant.
- Tachometer: Indicates the number of revolutions per minute (RPMs) that the engine is completing.
- Oil Pressure: Measures the pressure of oil running through the engine, in pounds per square inch.
- Voltmeter: Measures the number of volts that your car’s battery is providing to the electrical system.
- Ammeter: Measures the amps being used by your car.
Your car will most likely have all of these indicators. For a better understanding of each gauge and its importance, check out this article. Your car should not be producing smoke, clouds, or steam. If it is producing unknown clouds, visit a mechanic … soon. If this is happening in combination with flashing lights, pull over immediately and consult your manual or call roadside assistance if your car insurance company provides it.
What to smell for.
Cars can have many different smells that don’t have any significance. Older cars have a variety of odors that may not be worrisome, and newer cars smell wonderful. However, if a new smell arises, it could mean several things (all of which are worth having a mechanic look at). Here are some odors that should concern you:
- Sweet smells coming from your heater/air conditioning (possible coolant leak).
- Rotten eggs (bad catalytic converter).
- Burning (all burning smells should be considered bad).
- Moldy or mildewy smells (mold in your a/c system).
- Exhaust smells (exhaust leak, which could be extremely dangerous).
These smells could mean a few things according to this article. If you smell any of these, you know what to do … take it to the mechanic!
What you can do.
Yes, vehicle problems should be solved by people with experience, but there are some things that you can do. Here’s a list of easy maintenance tasks that you can complete with minimal experience.
- Check your oil and fill it if it’s low.
- Test your tires’ air pressure and fill them if they’re low.
- Check your tires’ tread depth and replace your tires if the tread is wearing away.
- Make sure that your external lights are functioning.
- Fill your washer fluid.
- Check and replace your cabin air filter.
- Check your coolant level and fill it if it’s low.
- Replace your windshield wipers and rear wiper blade.
- Clean your car’s exterior and interior.
These little maintenance jobs are simple but will differ slightly depending on the car you drive. Your best option is to find out how to do these from your car’s user manual. However, for the tasks that are similar for every car, you can find various videos on YouTube™ on how to finish these tasks.
Don’t do certain maintenance tasks if you feel uncomfortable with them. It’s better to have a professional take care of the job instead of taking the risk of doing something wrong. Remember, we are trying to lengthen your car’s life, not end it.
When in doubt, at least take your car through a wash now and again to keep the paint and body clean. This will extend the life of your paint job. If you feel like you just can’t do anything to your car, watch this video for 10 things every car owner should know how to do.
Once your car is running smoothly and it’s sparkling like a gem, go for a scenic drive. Visit a new town a meet new folks. But don’t forget your people skills when you’re there
