Cars are incredibly complicated. They are comprised of hundreds of small pieces that need to be functioning correctly for the car to run smoothly. If you’re a new driver, you may not know much about all the small intricacies of your car. In fact, according to US News, about two-thirds of young drivers don’t know the basics of vehicle maintenance. While it is certainly helpful for you to understand at least the basics of your car, it’s not required for you to hit the road. However, if you want your car to last for years and really get your money’s worth, it’s essential for you to take the right steps to maintain it.
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General Inspection
There’s no real set timeline for this, but it’s important that you perform your own inspections on a regular basis. We recommend setting an alert on your phone for every 4 months or so to take just 10 minutes and look over the major functions of your car, like that your tires are properly inflated with healthy air pressure. While you’re looking, also check all of the major fluids of your car, including antifreeze and windshield wiper fluids. Don’t be intimidated: they are not difficult at all to replace and usually will only take a quick trip to the store.
Be on the lookout for small cosmetic damage that might lead to further issues. Areas like your front lip that tend to get knocked around while parking are especially vulnerable to damage but are normally very easy to fix. This damage lowers the value of your car.
Maintenance
When it comes to more difficult maintenance like getting your oil changed or your car serviced, there is no universal timeline. Every car runs differently, which means that your car may have different maintenance needs, even compared to other models from the same automaker. The best way to schedule your maintenance is to read the owner’s manual that came with your car – something that many car owners forget about. Set reminders well in advance so that you don’t have to think about it until it’s time to get it done!
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Benefits of Maintaining Your Car
A car that isn’t properly maintained is like an athlete who never takes the time to recover. Over time, your car will have numerous issues that pop up, seriously shortening the life of it. The thought of having to spend a little bit of time every few months might seem annoying at first, but if you neglect it then when an issue comes up with your car, it might take significantly longer and cost more. Think of maintaining your car like you’re giving it a nearly-fresh start every time and preventing certain problems from building up.
With so many resources and guides, there’s really no excuse for you not to be performing at least some regular maintenance on your car. It’s very important to get into the habit of doing it while you’re young so that all of the cars you will own will run great for years, saving you a ton of money in the long run. Keep an eye out for small details like a dented bumper lip or fluid levels and get your car serviced accordingly from a quality mechanic!
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