You’ve just spent your hard-earned money on a new car and you want to keep it in tip-top shape. But how can you do that? You might be thinking, “Well, I’ll just take my car to the mechanic every once in awhile.”

No matter how much you love your vehicle, that’s not enough! You need a guide to help you with basic maintenance so that your ride will last longer than expected.

In this article which is actually an extensive guide we’ll cover everything from oil changes and tire pressure to transmission fluid and power steering fluid. Read on for all the details!

10 Things Every Car Owner Should Know – The Short List

Takeaways
– Regular maintenance is essential for keeping your car in good condition.
– Knowing how to maintain your car can save you time and money in the long run.
– Common car problems, such as battery issues and brake trouble, can often be easily fixed.
– Winter weather can be tough on your car, so it’s important to take extra precautions.
– If you’re unsure about how to maintain or repair your car, consulting a professional can help.

Table of Contents

Regular Maintenance

Regular maintenance is the single most important thing you can do for your car. It’ll keep it running smoothly, give you peace of mind that everything is working as it should be, and most importantly, save you money in the long run.

The best way to ensure that you get regular maintenance? Set up an appointment with your mechanic or car service center once a year (or every 10k miles).

Here’s what they’ll check during each visit:

Engine oil level and condition
Coolant level
Transmission fluid level (if applicable)

Brake fluid levels (for cars with disc brakes)

Regular maintenance is essential for keeping your car in top condition. From checking tire pressure to changing your oil, our guide on The Top 10 Car Maintenance Tips for Keeping Your Vehicle Running Smoothly covers everything you need to know to keep your car running like new.

Oil Changes

When it comes to car maintenance, there are a lot of things that you should do. There are also some things that you should not do.

The best place to start is with oil changes. This is one of the easiest and most important things that you can do for your vehicle.

Here are some helpful tips:

Check your owner’s manual for guidance on how often your car needs an oil change. Some cars require this more frequently than others.

You may even find that the manufacturer recommends changing out the oil every 5,000 miles or so—even if it doesn’t look dirty or smell burnt! It depends on what kind of car you own and how well it was maintained before purchase (or otherwise).

If in doubt, ask someone at an auto shop near where they work on these kinds of vehicles regularly such as National Tire & Battery or Walmart Tire Center Incorporated stores nearby; they will know what type/kinds make sense based upon types/kinds used commonly by drivers within their local area.”

Car Make and Model	Recommended Oil Change Frequency
Toyota Camry	Every 10,000 miles or 12 months
Ford F-150	Every 5,000 to 7,500 miles
Honda Civic	Every 7,500 to 10,000 miles
Chevrolet Silverado	Every 7,500 miles or six months
BMW 3 Series	Every 10,000 to 15,000 miles
Subaru Forester	Every 7,500 miles or six months

Note: Always check your vehicle owner’s manual or consult a professional mechanic to determine the recommended oil change frequency for your specific make and model.

Tire Pressure

You can easily check your tire pressure yourself by using a tire gauge. Make sure the tires are cool before you check them and that they have been sitting for at least three hours.

The pressure will naturally drop as the tires warm up, so you need to have at least three pounds of air in each tire when driving on hot days.

A low-pressure warning light may appear on your dashboard if there is a problem with the air in one of your tires. This is an indication that it’s time to check your pressure levels and add more if necessary.

Knowing how to maintain your car is only half the battle. Our guide on The Most Common Car Maintenance Questions Answered by the Pros provides expert answers to the most common questions about your car’s maintenance and repairs.

Wheel Alignment

What Is Wheel Alignment?

Wheel alignment is a service that ensures your car’s wheels are properly aligned, which means they are set at the optimal angle to prevent uneven wear and tear. Your vehicle sits level and straight on all four wheels when it’s properly aligned.

When you hit a bump, pothole or drive through a puddle of water and hear one side of your car scrape against the road, it means one or more of your wheels has gone out of alignment. The more often you drive on rough roads like these, the faster your tires will wear down prematurely and the sooner you’ll need to replace them entirely (and buy new ones).

On top of that, poor wheel alignment can lead to major problems for other components under your hood: misaligned brakes may increase stopping distances; misaligned tie rods may cause excessive tire wear; and misaligned control arms can lead to premature failure in ball joints or bushings.

How Often Should I Get My Wheel Alignment Checked?

Car manufacturers generally recommend getting an annual checkup on all four corners every 12 months while driving over 10,000 miles per year (about 15 minutes per week).

If you don’t know how many miles have been driven since last time it was checked or have no idea when this service was last performed or if something sounds off after hitting a pothole it’s best practice to get an inspection done as soon as possible so there aren’t any surprises later down the line!

How Do You Check Your Car’s Alignment? There are two ways for checking whether or not proper alignment is present: manually by yourself at home using special tools provided by mechanics/repair shops; automatically with an optical sensor mounted near each wheel hub assembly called “wheel alignment equipment” used by professional technicians only

Winter weather can be tough on your car, but with the right preparation, you can keep it running smoothly all season long. Our guide on The Top 15 Car Maintenance Tips for Winter Driving covers everything from checking your battery to changing your wiper blades.

Brakes

Your brakes are the most important safety feature on your car. They are not just for stopping, but also for preventing your vehicle from rolling back down hills.

If you don’t have good brakes, then you can’t rely on them to prevent an accident if there is an obstruction ahead of you that would cause a crash.

In addition to being a safety feature, brakes also wear out over time and require periodic maintenance in the form of replacement or repair work.

A worn-out brake can be dangerous because it will take longer to stop and may not stop at all if pushed too far. In either case, driving with a worn brake can lead to an accident or serious injury due to poor braking performance and reaction time.

Transmission Fluid

Transmission fluid, or transmission oil, is the lifeblood of your car’s transmission. It allows for the smooth transfer of power from your engine to the wheels and makes sure that your vehicle can shift gears smoothly.

If you don’t change it periodically, you’re likely to experience a wide range of issues ranging from rough shifting to failure in gear selection altogether. Fortunately, changing your transmission fluid is relatively simple: just follow these steps!

Transmission Fluid Types

Type of Transmission Fluid	Color	Brand Examples
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF)	Red	Mobil 1 ATF, Castrol Transmax, Valvoline MaxLife ATF
Continuously variable transmission fluid (CVT)	Green or clear	Amsoil CVT Fluid, Mobil 1 Synthetic CVT Fluid, Valvoline CVT Fluid
Manual transmission fluid (MTF)	Light brown or yellow-green	Amsoil MTF, Royal Purple Synchromax, Red Line MTL

Note: Always check your vehicle owner’s manual or consult a professional mechanic to determine the correct type of transmission fluid for your specific make and model.

Air Filter Replacement

In most cars, the air filter is located in a box under the hood. To replace it, you’ll need to open up that box and remove the old one.

You can usually do this by hand without tools; sometimes you’ll need to use a wrench or panel remover tool to pop off a cover plate on top of your air filter housing.

Once you’ve removed your old air filter, clean out any dirt from inside of that housing with water and paper towels before installing a new one.

If there’s no way for moisture (or dirty oil) from inside of your car’s engine compartment to drain down into that area where your vehicle’s filter sits, it could cause problems over time with increased humidity levels as well as rust build-up if they’re not cleaned properly first!

Now just reattach all covers/panels onto their respective parts so nothing falls off while driving around town later today.”

Maintaining your car is important, but did you know there are some surprising facts about car maintenance that you might not be aware of? Check out our guide on 15 Surprising Car Maintenance Facts You Need to Know to learn more.

Power Steering Fluid

You may be wondering, “What is power steering fluid?” It’s a fluid that helps your car steer. You don’t want to run out of it, because without it you won’t be able to drive your car.

The good news is that this fluid is pretty easy to check and change out as long as you’re prepared with the right tools and know where the reservoir tank is located.

If you’re experiencing car problems, you’re not alone. Our guide on The Most Common Car Problems and How to Fix Them provides solutions to the most frequent car issues, including battery problems, brake issues, and engine trouble.

Conclusion

It’s important to remember that your car is a machine, and all machines need regular maintenance.

If you don’t care for it properly, it won’t stay in good condition for long. Fortunately, though, most of the maintenance tasks are simple enough for anyone to do at home or with only minimal assistance from a mechanic.

So don’t be afraid even if you aren’t an expert on cars or don’t have much experience doing these sorts of things yourself!

We hope this guide has given some helpful tips on how best to keep your vehicle running smoothly without breaking the bank while doing so!

FAQs

What kind of maintenance does my car need?

Your car needs a variety of routine maintenance tasks, such as oil changes, tire rotations, and brake inspections. The owner’s manual that came with your car should outline a schedule for these tasks, but you can also consult a mechanic for guidance.

How often should I change my oil?

The frequency with which you change your oil can vary depending on the make and model of your car, as well as driving conditions. A general rule of thumb is to change your oil every 5,000 miles, but you should consult your owner’s manual for specific recommendations.

How do I know if my brakes need to be replaced?

There are several signs that your brakes may need to be replaced, including squeaking or grinding noises when you apply the brakes, a soft or spongy feeling in the brake pedal, or a pulsing sensation in the pedal. If you suspect there may be an issue with your brakes, it’s important to have them inspected by a professional.

How often should I have my tires rotated?

Most manufacturers recommend rotating your tires every 5,000 to 7,500 miles to ensure even wear. However, this can vary depending on the type of tires you have and your driving habits.

What should I do if my check engine light comes on?

If your check engine light comes on, it’s important to have your car inspected by a professional as soon as possible. The light can indicate a variety of issues, from something as simple as a loose gas cap to a more serious problem with your engine.