Flickr Image Credit Source: Photo of a car
If you have a car, then you’ll know that it’s your absolute pride and joy, and if anything happens to it, it will not only upset you, but your bank account too. This is why you always need to ensure that your vehicle is performing the way that it should, and if you’re not one hundred percent sure – then do something about it. You would be surprised at just how minor something may appear to begin with so you ignore it, only to find out just how much damage has actually been caused – and you missed it all. So it’s always best to play it safe when it comes to your baby.
Here are some of the most common things that you should be checking when you own a car.
Keep an eye on the tires
Over time you will lose air from your tires and this means the pressure will go down. There is nothing that you can do to avoid this from happening, it’s just important that you keep an eye on it because when they do get too low, it’s your job to fill them back up again, which is easy enough. So just make sure to look at the tire pressure once in a while so you know how they’re doing. If for any reason you have a hole or a tire has been burst, you can use your spare for a little while until you have a proper one replaced.
Get it checked out professionally
If you’re not feeling your best, then the first thing you tend to do is go to the doctors so they can give you a once over and see why you’re feeling this way and determine the cause of the problem. So your car should be no different. They need just as much love and care as you do if you expect it to last you a good amount of years. So even if you think it’s nothing, have a look around your area for an auto service shop and make an appointment or just pop in for a quick visit and mention any concerns if you do have any.
Check your brakes are working regularly
Brakes are one of the most important – if not the most important thing on a car, and that’s because it’s what allows you to stop! You will be using them every single day, and sometimes a lot more aggressively than others depending on what’s happening on the road. You rely on them with your life, so never take a risk and skip getting them checked. Another tip that seems obvious and yet a lot of people don’t think about too, is to never leave anything on the floor of your car, like a water bottle for example, as this can roll and get jammed under the brake pedal so you can’t push it down, which can lead to a very bad accident.
Keep the interior clean
No one wants to sit in a dirty car that has crumbs on the chairs and grease stains all over the dashboard – that’s just gross. But there is also another thing that you need to make sure you take care of on the inside of your car, and that’s by protecting it from the build-up of dust that is caused. This dust, dirt, fluff, and hair over time will all begin to clog up the air filters, which can stop your car from working exactly how it should. Plus it also may end up not smelling very nice because of the build up too.
Keep the exterior clean
Of course there will come a point where you can’t avoid giving your car a wash anymore because people are literally writing “clean me” with the dirt over your vehicle. But the reason you need a clean car isn’t just because it makes it look so much nicer, but because it can actually save the paintwork. Fun fact: when birds poop on your car, there is actually something in their excrement that is able to burn through your paint job. So if you’re leaving your car somewhere for a particularly long time – don’t park it under a tree. Yes, you have the shade, but you also have the s***.
Now you know the most common things to look out for, get on it right away and check everything, even if you don’t feel as though they’re a concern to you. – You just never know.