Have you ever been stranded in traffic due to car breakdown? Has a mechanic taken advantage of you on repairs? Here are basic vehicle maintenance tips and regular checks that will help you save money on repairs and avoid unexpected breakdowns.

Today’s vehicles are much more complicated than the cars of the ‘80s; incorporating more computerized electronics, silicon chips, and sophisticated engine mechanisms. Nevertheless, the best part about this motor vehicle maintenance tips is that the same basic car care tips still apply to all kinds of vehicles.

So you don’t have to worry about the confusing jargons in automobile mechanics! These basic car maintenance techniques do not require any sophisticated understanding of motor vehicles or their systems.

Understanding and following the below vehicle maintenance tips will enable you save money on repairs and avoid vehicle breakdowns that do not need to happen.

5 Vehicle Maintenance Tips That Save You Money

#1. Regular Visual Checks:

Basic car care is simply a matter of opening your bonnet and taking a look at the engine of your vehicle. Although; some basic vehicle maintenance checks starts with examining the exterior motor parts.

Thus, you are expected to first, check your car tires to make sure they appear equally and properly inflated. This may further include an actual check with a tire pressure gauge, if you have one.

Other visual auto checks that require no vehicle mechanics knowledge include the following:

• Checking for body and bumper damage;
• Checking for leaking fluids underneath the vehicle;
• Checking for oil gauge, brake and transmission fluid levels;
• Checking for excessive smoke in vehicle exhaust – aside from normal diesel emissions or startup fumes;
• Checking for engine or fluid warning lights – which should be promptly addressed before any further driving.

#2. Under the Hood Checks:

This may seem intimidating of course, but much of the day-to-day maintenance for your vehicle must occur with the hood/bonnet opened and up.

However, under the hood advertisement doesn’t mean you have to be a mechanic. The most important things to monitor and check regularly when you open the bonnet include the following:

• Check the Engine sound;
• Check engine oil level and cleanliness;
• Check the coolant level – including Radiator water level;
• Check brake and power steering/transmission fluid levels; and
• Check air-conditioning and alternator belts.

Caution: Never attempt to remove radiator cap while the engine is hot or warm. Other areas to be watchful for in and around the vehicle engine include:

• Loosed electrical or tube connections;
• Worn or exposed wire;
• Loosed or warped belts – which should be promptly replaced;
• Vehicle battery level – checks to be aware of its getting the proper charge (from alternator) so as to easily start your car.

#3. Regular Engine Oil Changing:

One of the most important things you can do to maintain your vehicle is to change the engine oil and the oil filter regularly. Your oil should be relatively clean in appearance; but still have a dark color once it runs through your engine.

Some car mechanics recommend changing the oil every 2,000 – 3,000 miles, but this depend on the make as well as the type of the vehicle you’re using. Also, it is a good idea to have some motor oil within your vehicle always. This will enable you to add or top some if needed.

Remember: You should regularly check your oil level gauge and maintain it between the minimum and maximum fill lines. There are a variety of types of motor oil you can choose from.

Please kindly connect to your local vehicle service station or visit your mechanic workshop for more details about the best engine oil for your brand of vehicle.

#4. Regular Components Replacements:

Some motto vehicle parts and body components require regular checks and replacement. Some of such important components and parts of your vehicle that need regular maintenance and frequent replacement include the following:

• The air filters;
• The headlights;
• The turn signals, and brake lamps;
• The spark plugs and cables;
• Engine timing belt;
• Windshield wipers,
• The Horn, etc.

#5. Address Issues Promptly:

Here is the big idea! The biggest thing to remember with the ongoing vehicle maintenance process is to address issues promptly, especially when you hear the engine knocking sounds and other noises.

Do your best to understand what may be going wrong on the vehicle before you visit your service station or your auto-mechanic.  As a car or truck driver for instance, you should have the basic knowledge of how your car/truck operates.

Wrapping up: 5 Vehicle Maintenance Tips That Save You Money

Now you have. Understanding these basic vehicle maintenance tips will save you money, keep you safe on the road, and among other things.

A few steps by steps approach and addressing issues promptly can greatly extend the life of your vehicle, making it safer and more dependable for you and your family trips.

We hope you have learned how to take good care of your cars and other motor vehicles form this post?

If this article is helpful to you, then share it with your friends! Leave your comments below if there is any of these car care procedures that have helped you.