When it comes to car maintenance, most women are clueless. Fact is, most women have never even changed a tire or added any one of several fluids needed for routine maintenance. Most women feel that they are not capable of carrying out these tasks and therefore choose to hire someone to do the work for them. Maintenance is especially important when driving used cars, included in this article are some basic maintenance tips that every woman, including myself, can and should know how to do.
Maintaining fluids is the first of several maintenance procedures that needs to be performed on a regular basis to keep your car running as smoothly as possible. These fluids include washer fluid, brake fluid, engine oil, engine coolant, transmission fluid and power steering fluid. Listed below is a schedule in which these fluids should be maintained:
*Windshield washer solvent should be added as often as necessary to avoid emptying of the reservoir
*The brake fluid should be changed once every year or two
*The engine oil should be changed every three months or 3,000 miles, depending on which comes first
*Engine coolant should be added as often as necessary to keep the level between the low and full marks on the coolant overflow tank
*The transmission fluid should be changed every 15,000-30,000 miles
*Power steering fluid should be added as often as necessary to keep the reservoir full
If your owner’s manual schedule of maintenance is different than the recommended schedule above, follow the instructions in your manual as they are specific to your vehicle.
It’s important to keep a visual check on your tires to make sure there is an adequate amount of tread present. If a tire becomes slick, have it replaced immediately. Slick tires are a safety hazard and keeping a check on them is an easy thing that can be done to avoid an accident. It’s also important to keep a check on the psi of your tires regularly to make sure the pressure is at the point the owner’s manual recommends. If a tire is low on air, add enough to bring it up to the manufacturer’s recommended psi. A low psi can affect your gas mileage as well as wear your tires out faster. Rotating your tires every 5,000 miles, as well as having them balanced, will extend the life of your tires and give you a smoother ride. If you have a flat tire, refer to your owner’s manual for instructions on how to change it. Your car should be inspected upon purchase to make sure it is equipped with a spare tire and the tools needed to change it.
These are just a few basic maintenance tips that every woman should be aware of. Be sure to keep your owner’s manual handy and refer to it often to make sure your car is maintained properly. The proper maintenance of your car will extend the life of your vehicle as well as ensure the safety of the driver and passengers.
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