5 Tips to Ensure Safe Driving with Regular Car Maintenance

By Mounika Talluri | December 13, 2018

Driving is truly a unique experience. To be able to hit the open road, feel the wind on your face, and leave all of your troubles behind you is a form of freedom not many other activities are able to bring to life. That said, no matter how much you like to push your baby to its limits, driving should be safe first and foremost.

You cannot hope to keep your car in mint condition without running regular checkups and fixing every problem as soon as possible, so there is a need to stay on top of your vehicle’s vitals at all times. Here are the five maintenance tips you want to take to heart if you want your car to provide you with a safe, enjoyable, and exciting driving experience.

Check tire pressure and replace tires according to the season

When assessing the safety of your vehicle for short-term and long-term travel, the tires should be one of the first things to come to mind. Stick with the same pair all year round, and you’re not only looking at a hefty fine, but you could also be putting yourself in danger.

The winter season with its rainy and snowy days can be a deathtrap for drivers who don’t upgrade to winter tires, so let this be your no.1 priority during the transitional months of the year. Next, you should check the tire pressure on a regular basis and fill them back up in order to prolong their lifespan.

Keep your car’s fluids in check

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Fluid maintenance is another important task every car owner should tend to regularly. Failing to keep the car’s fluids in check can lead to all sorts of problems on the road, and long-term neglect will get you a ticket to the nearest mechanic. To avoid this, you want to monitor your car’s oil, transmission fluid, and engine coolant levels.

Be sure to keep the oil levels topped-off to allow for a smooth driving experience, and don’t forget to change the oil every 7,500 miles in order to safeguard your engine and ensure the best performance. Maintain proper transmission fluid levels to prevent shifting problems and possible hazards, and keep the engine coolant in check to prevent overheating and worse, long-term damage.

Give your windshield a thorough checkup

This one is where most car owners make a costly mistake. The windshield might not seem like something you should spend a lot of time inspecting – if it’s clean, you can drive, if it’s broken, you replace it. The main issue here is that there may be several underlying issues with your windshield you might not be aware of.

It’s important to take your car to a certified auto glass professional for a deep inspection that will reveal hidden hazards such as microscopic cracks and flakes that, when treated early on, can help you avoid costly problems down the road. When a windshield replacement is necessary, be sure to find mechanics who will come to you in order to save yourself some precious time and money.

Inspect the engine air filter and serpentine belt

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The engine’s air filter and serpentine belt are essential components of a safe-to-drive vehicle you shouldn’t forget about. While the serpentine belt is designed to last a very long time without needing a checkup, it doesn’t hurt to inspect the length of the belt every year in order to discover small problems you can fix easily.

The air filter, on the other hand, is a part of the engine that requires you attention more frequently. While it is designed to withstand up to 30,000 miles, it can only achieve this feat if you clean it regularly.  Simply detach it from the air box on your engine and give it a thorough scrub-down every few months. Keep in mind that you should ideally replace your air filter every three years, as they tend to become fragile with age.

Perform regular brake checks

Arguably, the braking system is the most important part of your vehicle. Without it, well, you know what could happen. There is no excuse for not checking your brakes and the braking mechanism in general every six months, in order to ensure a safe driving experience. You should also take your car to the mechanic as soon as you feel the braking system is starting to act up. This frequently manifests as a sluggish braking sequence, unresponsive brake pedal, or a loud high-pitched sound coming from the hood indicating that the break line is in need of repair.

 

Driving, however fun and thrilling, should primarily be safe. With that in mind, be sure to follow these steps in order to keep your car in top shape for years to come.