Checking the Oil Level in Your Car (And Other Things You Really Don’t Want to Do!)

If you like to work on / care for cars, then the title of this blog post probably offended you. (Sorry!!) But the inner workings of cars just isn’t my cup of tea. The interior isn’t even my cup of tea anymore after having kids who destroy the car every new trip. (Crumbs… crumbs everywhere!)

When my husband was deployed for the first time, I decided to take this whole “caring for the home solo” thing to heart, and compiled a schedule of preventative tasks for our vehicle. Hubby came home, and to my surprise… I kept up the good work of maintaining our cars and it kinda just silently became “my” task.

Buuuut, I’ve been somewhat slacking recently (I legitimately blame the cold of the PNW, I just want to be indoors AAAAALL DAAAY) so as usual, I’m using my blog as an accountability tool. Help me help myself!! Hehehe…

So without further ado, here is a checklist of easy things you can do to maximize the life and performance of your vehicle. Caring for your car and keeping it in proper running order takes a little bit of effort, but you definitely don’t have to be a mechanical whiz to keep your vehicle running well.

Some of these parts of your vehicle should be checked regularly, and others only in the long run. (Be sure to follow your vehicle’s maintenance schedule and service interval record.)

For proper vehicle maintenance, inspect the following:

OIL AND COOLANT LEVELS

Every month – and especially before any longer road trips! – it’s a good idea to get under the hood of your car and inspect both the oil and coolant levels while the engine is cool. Low levels of either can lead to engine problems if left unchecked. Refer to your owner’s manual to locate both on your specific vehicle.

AIR FILTER

Your engine’s air filter is what regulates the air that flows into your engine and helps keep out debris and particulate. By making certain that your air filter is flowing properly, you can improve your fuel efficiency, decrease your emissions, and help ensure the life of your engine. This can be done easily at home, so check your owner’s manual for instructions and how often it needs to be changed.

TIRE PRESSURE AND TREAD DEPTH

Since well-maintained tires are integral to a safe, fuel-efficient ride, make it a habit to visually inspect your tires often. Check the pressure in your tires every month, and before long trips or carrying extra load. Don’t forget the spare! A friend of ours borrowed our van recently and came back letting us know he noticed our spare was low, so he aired it up for us… I never even thought to check the air on the spare before! A tire pressure gauge will be needed to check your tire pressure. Also, during the colder months, note that tire pressure drops one pound with every 10 degree decrease in pressure. Your owner’s manual will tell you how much air pressure your tire needs.

HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, BRAKE, AND PARKING LIGHTS

It’s important that the lights on your vehicle are properly functioning, but oftentimes it can be an easy item to overlook. Once a month, turn on your headlights when you’re parked in front of a flat surface and check that both headlights are working properly and well-positioned. Walk around your car and visually inspect both turn signals and your parking lights. Have a friend stand behind the car while you engage the brakes to be certain that your brake lights are functional.

REPLACE WINDSHIELD WIPERS

Windshield wipers need to be replaced about once every year, or whenever the effectiveness is compromised. In winter months, it could also be a good idea to install winter wiper blades for optimum performance. You should also pull your wipers away from the window when parked during the winter to prevent ice buildup.

Sticking to a car maintenance schedule can help extend the life of your vehicle and protect you against breakdowns, expensive repairs, and other unwelcome surprises. Here’s me getting back into these good habits!