As a car owner, regular vehicle maintenance is a crucial part of keeping your car running. Not only does it lengthen your car’s life, but it also saves you lots of money down the road by taking care of an issue before it becomes an even bigger problem. A well-maintained car also has a much higher resale value. Furthermore, caring for your vehicle improves the car’s safety.
Of course, if you notice something is wrong, it’s important to get your car in right away to be fixed. Here, United Car Care reviews things you should check and have serviced every month, three months, and six months, too, to keep your car running smoothly.
Every Month
Here are a few things you should be doing every month:
Inspecting the Tires
You don’t have to be an expert to spot an issue with your car. Simply start by checking your tires. Make sure the tire pressure is adequate, as low tire pressure can wear the tire out unevenly. Also, make sure the threads are thicker than 4/32 of an inch to ensure proper traction.
Check the Engine
Pop the hood and check the belts and hoses for any cracks or signs of wear and tear. Once you’re done, take a peek at the oil. First, remove the dipstick and wipe it clean. Then reinsert it to check the oil levels and make sure the color is amber, not black. It’s important that you keep an eye on the coolant levels, too, so that your engine doesn’t overheat. Lastly, make sure the brake fluid levels are suitable and there is no discoloration.
Check the Battery
Make sure there aren’t any fraying or disconnected wires leading to and from the battery. Also, inspect the terminals for any signs of corrosion. A dead battery is something you don’t want!
Every Three Months
On top of the monthly maintenance, here’s what you should do every three months or 3,000 miles:
Change the Oil and Filter
Your car should notify you if the oil and filters are low or dissatisfactory, but the general rule of thumb is to change it every 3,000 miles or so to maintain the engine. Check your owner’s manual to see how often and what kind of oil and filter it needs. You can do it yourself or stop by a car or oil shop.
Power Steering Fluid
Power steering fluid helps your steering wheel to turn with ease. If it’s low, make sure to add fluid and check for any leaks.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
You should check your automatic transmission fluid levels and any leaks, but typically they only need to be changed every 24,000 or so, depending on your vehicle.
Every Six Months
There are just a few things you should do. About every six months, you should have your car inspected by a mechanic for any serious flaws, as well as rotated and align your tires. This will help extend the life of your tires, as well as prevent them from falling off while driving. Additionally, you may want to replace your windshield wipers, if they aren’t performing as well as they used to.
About United Car Care
- United Car Care vehicle service contracts offer reliable protection at an affordable cost, which is exactly what consumers want when looking for mechanical protection for their vehicles. Their product is backed by an A-rated insurer, thus providing their contract holders with the utmost security.
- United Car Care has earned an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, which speaks to the way they do business—with integrity. United Car Care is proud of the fact that they have had over a million satisfied customers as well as many long-time relationships with dealers and agents. These relationships are a true testimonial to United Car Care’s core values: quality, dependability, and customer service.
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