A Thing for Cars

An Ounce Of Prevention

by Alicia Nijdam via Flickr

You can avoid costly vehicle repairs by knowing when and what to routinely check or have checked by a professional.

Check your oil every 200-500 miles. Oil is crucial to the life of a vehicle engine.  This is usually a free service at full service gas stations, but it is also easy to do on your own. Locate the oil dipstick on the engine. Grab the ring at the end of the dipstick and pull it out. Wipe the oil off the opposite end with a rag, and then re-insert. Pull the dipstick out again to determine where the oil line ends. Full and empty lines are clearly marked, and will give you a good guide as to when it is time to have your oil changed. Oil should be changed 3,000 to 5,000 miles regardless of oil levels.

Check your tire pressure every 200-500 miles. Again, this is generally a free service offered by full service gas stations. To check your own tire pressure anywhere, purchase a calibrated handheld tire gauge (around $15.00.) Locate the PSI (pounds per square inch) number on your particular tire. Now, unscrew the cap off the tires valve stem. Place the air pressure gauge on the tires valve stem. Firmly press the gauge down and get the reading. This reading should be plus or minus five of the recommended PSI printed on the tire. If not, you need to have the air adjusted in your tires. Too much air increases the probability of a blowout and increases wear on the tire. Too little air will decrease the MPG your vehicle gets and also increases the wear on the tire. This is also a good time to make sure that your spare tire is inflated properly and ready for use.

Check your car battery every 3,000- 5,000 miles for any cracks in the casing, frayed or broken cables, and corrosion. Also, make sure that the battery is still being held down securely. The vehicles onboard computer can be damaged if a battery short- circuits, and old or compromised batteries can leave you stranded at the most inopportune times. Most mechanic shops will only charge a few dollars to clean a battery. Most mechanic shops will actually test the function of the battery for free.

Keep Your Cool In Calamity 

The best way to stay calm is to have step- by-step instructions and all the supplies to complete the task.

Be Prepared

Proper preparation is just as important as prevention. It doesn’t matter how well you maintain your car and practice prevention, sometimes emergencies will just happen.

Always keep your owner’s manual in your glove box. The owner’s manual contains valuable information from maintenance schedules and car specifications to important warnings that you’ve probably never even thought of. If you do not have an owner’s manual for your car, one can often be found online at the automakers website.

Keep reliable jumper cables in the trunk. Make sure you store them in a dry area to prevent rusting and corrosion.  They should be 4-8 gauge copper cables and at least 10 ft long. 

Keep a flashlight in an easy to access area of the car. Every time you check the oil, you should also check the life of the flashlight batteries.

Have the day and after hours phone numbers of any assistance you may need- car clubs, tow service, personal mechanic, etc..

Keep all tire-changing supplies stowed in truck- spare tire, jack,  lug wrench.

Invest in an emergency car kit. These will contain items like a rain poncho, flares, reflectors, snap lights, tow rope, work gloves, etc..

Prepare or buy an emergency roadside assistance plan. Manuals with step by step instructions on common roadside problems like flat tires, dead batteries, overheating engines, etc.. can be found at most bookstores. DIY websites will offer printable instructions on common car problems. Do make sure that the website is a reliable source.

Of course, we aren’t all mechanics, but we can stay in the driver’s seat by arming ourselves with the proper knowledge. Not only will knowledge provide the confidence and ability to cope with some common emergencies, but it will also prolong the health of your car and possibly help to avoid major repairs.