2021 has been a hectic and challenging year. It can be easy to forget about things like car maintenance, but keeping your vehicle in good shape through 2022 is a New Year’s resolution well worth keeping. By keeping your vehicle’s components in peak working condition, you will achieve better gas mileage and also make driving safer for you and everyone else on the road. Here are some helpful car maintenance habits you should adopt to bring in the New Year:
Time for an Oil Change
Changing out the oil is a vital part of car maintenance. Oil changes should generally be done every 3,000 to 7,500 miles. Always refer to the owner’s manual for information on what type of oil weight your vehicle will accept. It’s a good idea to have the oil filter changed out as well.
Change the Cabin Air Filter
To find out where your cabin air filter is located, check the owner’s manual. In most cars, this filter can be found behind the passenger side glove box. The cabin air filter is responsible for filtering the air that’s coming into the vehicle and should be changed out every 30,000 miles or so.
Check the Tires
Tire pressure and condition are important to keep in mind when it comes to car maintenance. Invest in a cheap tire pressure gauge to keep your car driving smoothly. The tread should be in good condition too. Place a penny into the tread to measure the depth. If a portion of Abraham Lincoln’s head isn’t covered up, it’s probably time to buy a new set of tires.
Brake, Power Steering, and Coolant Fluids
Some fluids like power steering don’t need to be changed very often, while coolant levels should be checked regularly, especially during the hot summer months. Many flooded-cell car batteries need to have water added to them once in a while as well. Most service centers will automatically check all your fluids when performing car maintenance tasks like an oil change or tire rotation.
Battery Maintenance
Comprehensive car maintenance should include checking the battery terminals and cables for signs of corrosion. There are products on the market made specifically for cleaning corroded battery terminals but it’s often better to just replace the components if the corrosion is extensive. Poor connections between the battery and the rest of the vehicle may result in a breakdown at some point, usually when you least expect it.
Schedule Your Car Maintenance Today
Bring your car to Valley Automall! We will help keep 2022 rolling smoothly for you. Our friendly associates are available 6 days a week and are always happy to help. Visit us for assistance with your car maintenance routine or browse our wide selection of new and used cars, trucks and SUVs today.