10 Mistakes People Make when Maintaining their Cars

It can be easy to neglect routine maintenance on our vehicles. When you detect a flickering light on the dashboard or a vague rattling noise from within your vehicle, you might tell yourself you can check on it later—as if the car were a microwave or other handy gadget around the house. Yet, for most people, a car or truck is the second most expensive investment after a home. By reacting quickly and observing regular maintenance, you may preserve that investment before the need arises to drop a really large amount of money on fixing a major problem.

The simplest thing in the world is to ignore the lights and sounds your vehicle makes. Do not ignore the warning lights that appear on the dash (1). The check engine, brake, temperature or oil lights are indicative of something that is potentially wrong with the car. Make sure the gas cap is tightened all the way because this might cause the lights to come on and it can also cause gas intake issues (2). The cost may be great if you don't go to a tire shop or auto repair facility (like your friendly Riverton, Utah, auto repair shop) to run a diagnostic test on that warning light. For that matter, if your vehicle is making any noise it is best to see what your mechanic thinks about it (3).

Speaking of letting things get out of hand, there are many components of a vehicle that an owner shouldn't neglect to do on a regular basis. For example, every so often the air filter needs to be replaced because of dirt and grime (4). A dirty air filter creates extra wear on the engine and if replaced it will create better gas mileage. On the safety side, you should replace the windshield wipers regularly (5). Don't ignore them to the point that you get caught unawares during a rainstorm. It is important to check the fluids in the engine regularly, too (6). If you don't have the time, at least stop by your Riverton auto repair shop to have them check the fluids and change the oil.

Ignoring the tires can have both safety-related and financial repercussions. Driving on bald tires can leave you susceptible to getting in accidents, hydroplaning, or potential blowouts (7). Not applying the correct tire pressure can either lead to over- or under-inflation (8). Over-inflation gives less traction on the road, whereas under-inflation sucks up more gasoline. Either way, wrong inflation will mean replacing tires more often. Failing to rotate tires every 6,000 miles will also cause the vehicle to go through more tires (9). It is best to rotate tires every other oil change at a tire shop. Another effect on tires is carrying an excessive load (10). This will have the same effect of under-inflation, but it will also cause extra strain to the frame of the car.

If you avoid these common pitfalls and apply regular maintenance, your car should last for a long time to come. Remember, avoiding a problem now will usually lead to a bigger problem later down the road.