Many of us rely on our vehicles on a daily basis. We trust that they are going to work properly and get us where we need to go safely. However, their ability to do that does depend on how well you take care of your car. If you neglect your vehicle, it could eventually stop work working well for you. This could end up being a safety hazard. Make sure you do routine maintenance on your vehicle so it performs well and keeps you safe.
How-to Do Routine Maintenance on Your Vehicle (FMAA-A)
Tires
Your tires are very important for getting you where you want to go. You need to get new tires when your existing ones wear out. Tires have treads on them that help with traction and move water out of the way. If your tires start to get bald, they are not effective in doing this. This could be dangerous, as your vehicle could slip. It could also be the cause of a flat tire. Keep an eye out for how much tire tread you have remaining. Once you get to 2/32″ left on your tread depth, it is time to change your tires. A quick way to check this is to place a penny with Lincoln’s head upside down in the shallowest groove on the tire. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head above the tread, it is definitely time for a new tire.
As part of the routine maintenance on your vehicle, check your tire pressure to make sure your tires are not over or under-inflated. Most newer vehicles have a tire pressure alert system, but not all cars do. It is good to carry a tire pressure gauge in your vehicle as well. The inside of your driver-side doorframe should have a sticker saying what the correct number is for tire inflation. You can also check your owner’s manual. Keeping all four tires properly pressured provides you with better efficiency and safety when you are out on the road.
Brakes
Another important step in the routine maintenance of your vehicle should be your brakes. If your brakes are not working properly, you will be unable to stop your vehicle. This could lead to a serious accident. Check your brake pads and rotors. Remember to inspect the quality and depth of the pads to make sure there is sufficient resistance. In addition, your brake fluid should be checked and changed every 25,000 miles. Plus, your brake lines need to be bleed every 2-3 years. If your auto body shop says they recommend you replacing your brakes or doing other brake-related maintenance, do not put that off. Your brakes are a critical part of your vehicle.