1) Check the fluid levels in your car: when you fill your car up with gas, take a few moments to check the fluids in your car. The minute you'll spend checking coolant is infinitely cheaper than replacing your radiator after it cracks due to lack of coolant. The same goes for engine damage done by low levels of oil, and so on.
2) Have a pre-travel tune-up: Anytime you're gearing up to hit the road, you want to make sure your car is in tip-top shape. If you have belts that are in danger of breaking in the near future, spark plugs that need replacing, brakes that are squeaking, or anything else that wants your attention, deal with it before you find yourself broken down on the highway in another state!
3) Keep an eye on your tires: You would be amazed how many people get in their cars and drive off before they realize they have a flat tire! Before you get in your car, visually check all four tires, and use a pressure gauge to check on any tires that look low. Keep your tire pressure at the appropriate psi for your vehicle at all times.
4) Carry supplies with you, especially on long journeys: if you're going to drive a long distance then you will want to be prepared to do so. Carrying coolant, oil, a patch kit for tires, and the like can save you in a pinch.
5) Stick to the suggested maintenance schedule for your vehicle: keeping up with your maintenance does require you to be willing to put money into your car at regular intervals, but can often prevent larger issues from occurring. You will, as a result, experience fewer break-downs and fewer problems that domino into larger, more expensive repairs.
When the first chilly days of autumn are upon us, this amounts to mother nature giving us fair warning of the cold days to come. Well "forewarned is forearmed" and in car care this means a variety of things are ready to be done. Many are simple things the home mechanic can do, others might call for a trained mechanic. Often times the car manual that comes with the vehicle will suggest seasonal maintenance as well as regular, car age date, and mile mark maintenance requirements and suggestions. If not, many after-market books provide such tips, a copy of which is good to have handy in the glove box.
Before the weather gets truly cold, cars should be washed thoroughly. An undercarriage wash and sealing will rid vehicles of summer buildups from storm puddles, beach salt and sand, and other grime. This treatment will also prepare and protect cars for winter storm sludge, salts, sand, and chemicals. A fresh wax job will protect the paint job over the autumn. The farther north a vehicle operates, the more often it will need repeat protective treatments. This is also a good time to vacuum and clean the car interior.
In colder zones, seasonal maintenance includes testing battery strength. In all zones cars should have their radiators flushed or at least have the antifreeze levels checked, the tires should be inspected for damage and tread wear, and seasonal oil changes performed, all of which are amongst the things that can easily be done by many home mechanics. It's never too late to start learning, either. A qualified mechanic may be needed for brake checks and for cleaning and maintenance of the heating and defrost system, which can often be compromised by gases and fumes from the car engine. This is also the time to stock the car with ice scrapers, gloves, flashlights with fresh batteries (or replace them with hand crank dynamo powered flashlights) and other winter standbys as needed, such as tire chains and de-icer crystals, sand or rock salt.
Proper seasonal car upkeep is vital to keep cars running their best for now and the long haul. The best kept vehicles have the proper maintenance performed seasonally.
Now more than ever, owning a car means you are probably looking to cut down on your fuel expenditure. You don't have to find an oil reserve in your backyard to make your car an efficient method of transportation instead of the financial liability many are fearing. There are several simple steps you can take to improve your cars gas mileage and save at the pump.
Buy a lower octane gasoline. Unless your car specifically needs premium gasoline, it is a waste of money and will not improve your car's economy or performance. If you're not sure, check your owner's manual. Also, don't bother topping off your gas. Any excess just sloshes right out, and you've paid for nothing. And make sure you put the gas cap on good and tight! Otherwise, usable vapors can leak out, even becoming a danger.
Another thing that can lead to fuel evaporation is overheating by exposure to sunlight, so park in the shade any time possible. Underinflated tires can also drag down your gas mileage, so be sure to check your tire pressure often. In the winter especially, your tires can lose a pound of pressure each month. Not only can properly maintained tires save you money on gasoline by as much as 15%, they will also help keep you and your family safe.
And as much as everyone hates putting their car in the garage, it is most essential to keep your maintenance up to date on your automobile. Not only is it unsafe to drive for a year with your "check engine" light on, but the money you could save by simply getting your engine repaired could have paid for itself twice. That's right, a faulty engine uses a lot more gas than is necessary to run a "healthy" car.