Car Maintenance And Service Checklist

Regular car maintenance is important for a few reasons. Most importantly, it keeps your car running smoothly and prevents major repairs down the road. Car care also ensures your safety on the road since a poorly maintained vehicle is more likely to break down. Regular car care also helps you save on gas and insurance costs. Be sure to adhere to the maintenance schedule and the service interval record that came with your vehicle. We have come up with a car maintenance checklist for the purpose of assisting you in staying on top of your automotive maintenance in order to make it as easy as possible for you to keep track of the maintenance schedule for your vehicle.

Short Term Check-Ups

Check the following components to ensure proper vehicle maintenance:

#1 Oil And Coolant Temperatures And Levels

It is a good idea to check the levels of oil and coolant in your vehicle once every month, or every few times you get gas, and especially before any extended trips in your vehicle, it is best to check the levels of oil and coolant in your vehicle while the engine is cool. If either of these low levels goes unchecked, it could cause problems with the engine. You can find out where these two things are located on your particular vehicle by consulting the owner’s manual.

#2 Air Filter

The airflow into your engine is regulated by the air filter in your engine, which also helps keep debris and particulate matter out of the engine. You can improve the fuel efficiency of your vehicle, reduce the emissions that your vehicle produces, and help ensure that your engine will last as long as possible if you make sure that the air filter is functioning correctly. This is something that can be easily done at home, so check the owner’s manual for your vehicle for instructions and to see how frequently it should be changed.

#3 Headlights, Turn Signals, Brake, And Parking Lights

It is essential to ensure that the lights on your vehicle are operating correctly at all times; however, this is a detail that is frequently disregarded. Turn on your headlights once a month while your vehicle is parked in front of a level surface, and check to make sure that both headlights are functioning correctly and are positioned appropriately. Walk around the perimeter of your vehicle and visually inspect the turn signals as well as the parking lights. If you want to check that your brake lights are working properly when you apply the brakes, you should ask a friend to stand behind the vehicle while you do so.

#4 Oil & Filter

Motor oil in the engine of your vehicle performs a number of important functions, including lubricating the moving parts, helping to act as a sealant against debris, cooling the engine, reducing wear and tear, and contributing to the prevention of engine corrosion. You must change both the oil and the oil filter in your vehicle as frequently as every six months or 10,000 kilometres, but this will depend on the make and model of your vehicle as well as the type of oil that you are using. Check the owner’s manual for your vehicle and talk to an expert if you want to be sure what modifications are suitable for your automobile.

Long Term Check-Ups

Let’s have a look at the long-term check-ups that you must consider checking:

#1 Spark Plugs

Your engine’s spark plugs are responsible for lighting the mixture of fuel and air that ultimately propels your vehicle forward. Your engine will experience a decrease in power and will not operate at its full potential if the spark plugs are not working as they should. When you notice a decrease in your engine’s power or in accordance with the recommendations provided by the vehicle’s manufacturer, you should have a trained professional inspect and replace any spark plugs that are faulty.

#2 Serpentine Belt

Even though it may appear to be nothing more than a simple piece of rubber, the serpentine belt in your vehicle is critical to the operation of your vehicle because it provides power to auxiliary components such as your alternator, power steering pump, and air conditioner compressor. Carry out a thorough inspection of the belt for any cracks or other signs of wear and tear. If it is damaged in any way, or if the manufacturer of your vehicle recommends it, replace it.

Wrapping Up

You can protect yourself against breakdowns, expensive repairs, and other unwelcome surprises by adhering to a car maintenance schedule and keeping good records of what you’ve done to your vehicle. This can help you extend the life of your vehicle and save you money in the long run!