First Time Car Owners: Learn How To Care For Your Car
If you have just bought your first car then you want to make sure you know how to take care of it properly. This means taking steps that go above and beyond just making sure it has gas and the lights are all in working order. As a new car owner, you may or may not have had someone teach you all about car ownership maintenance and this article will help to fill in any gaps you may not be aware of so you can keep your car in good working order for as long as possible.
Check all your fluids
Your car takes numerous fluids to continue running smoothly. You should make it a habit to check them all regularly, as in every month or so. The fluids you will need to check include the motor oil, the transmission fluid, the brake fluid, the water, the windshield washer fluid and even the water in your battery's cells. Generally, you should only need to check the battery water at the start of summer. If any of the fluids are low then you want to fill them up to the fill line. Don't go over this line or it can cause problems for your car.
Keep the battery posts clean
Your battery posts can get corroded with battery acid and after a period of time this can cause damage to the posts, the cables and the battery. You can easily clean corroded posts by pouring a mixture of water and baking soda on them and scrubbing them clean with a brush. After you clean the posts off, pour some fresh water on any areas the corrosion leaked down into in order to prevent corrosion to other parts of the motor.
Pay attention to your windshield
Your windshield can get cracks and chips in it when rocks fly up from other cars on the road. Take a look at your windshield to see if you have any chips or small cracks in it. If you do, then you should see about having them repaired so they don't spread and cause a problem.
Check for signs of transmission problems
It's important to make sure possible transmission problems are looked into right away. Take your car around the block making sure you get it into the different gears so you can feel for possible issues. If you notice it having a hard time changing gears then take it in to have the transmission checked right away.
Check your brakes
When you take the car out to check the way the transmission feels, check the brakes at the same time. They shouldn't go down too close to the floorboard of the car. They should also be free of any sounds, such as squeaks or grinding noises. If you notice a different feel to them or sounds, then take the car in to have your brakes inspected.
By taking proper care of your car, you can keep it running the way it should and help decrease your odds of finding yourself stranded on the side of the road. Contact an auto repair company, like Newton Tire Company or another location, for more tips and information.