16 Important Car Maintenance Tips | Clearcover Insurance

Regardless of how new (or old) your vehicle may be, keeping up with routine maintenance is a must. Following the maintenance schedule outlined in your vehicle manufacturer's owner's manual can help you care for your car and keep it in safe driving condition. Staying on top of regular maintenance can also help save you from unexpected repair bills down the road.

That being said, knowing the best way to maintain your vehicle can feel overwhelming, so we've put together a list of essential maintenance tips to help you keep your car in good condition.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Some of these tips are easy, even for drivers who know nothing about cars. For other tips, you might want to consult with your mechanic or auto dealer so as not to damage your car.

1) Schedule Regular Oil Changes

One of the most basic yet important things you can do to take care of your car is change the oil as needed. Your car's engine and other moving parts rely heavily on clean oil to keep them properly lubricated. Over time, however, the oil loses its viscosity and may not lubricate effectively. This can put your engine at risk of premature wear and tear.

So, how often do you need to change your oil? This depends on your car's make and model as well as the type of driving you do. However, most cars today can easily go 5,000-7,500 miles or more between oil changes. Check your vehicle owner's manual for a more specific recommendation for your vehicle. Your owner's manual will also provide information about the type of oil you should use. You might decide on a DIY oil change, or you can have it done at a dealership or service center.

2) Keep the Battery Clean

You probably don't think much about maintaining your car's battery, aside from making sure you don't drain it by accidentally leaving your cabin lights on overnight. However, taking the time to clean your car's battery periodically can help prolong its life. Cleaning the battery's terminals with a small wire brush is an effective way to remove any corrosion that may be keeping your battery from holding a charge.

IMPORTANT SAFETY TIP: Only clean the battery terminals while your vehicle is OFF. Focus specifically on removing any white or bluish powder (corrosion) from the terminals themselves.

Doing this once every month or two can go a long way in protecting your battery. Plus, you reduce your risk of getting stranded with a dead battery (and the hefty costs that can come along with it).

3) Inspect the Tread on Your Tires

Your tires go through a lot, so it's important to keep a close eye on them. The tread on your tires will wear down over time, and once it wears down too much, your traction and handling can become seriously affected. Inspecting the tread will help you determine when it's time for a new set of tires.

The easiest way to check the tread on your tires is to use the “penny test .” All you have to do is take a penny and place it upside down into one of the grooves of each tire. If you can see the top of Abraham Lincoln's head, your tire tread is worn past the point of being safe, and it may be time to replace your tire(s).

4) Change Fluids When Necessary

When was the last time you checked and topped off your vehicle's fluids? Keeping your car's fluids at the proper levels will help keep things running smoothly and safely. Some examples of fluid levels you should check regularly include:

Coolant
Brake fluid
Power steering fluid
Transmission fluid
Antifreeze/washer fluid

If you take your car in for service at a dealership or other reputable mechanic, they may include a fluid check and top-off with your oil change or other standard services. Still, it's good to know how to check these fluids for yourself so that you can be on the lookout for signs of any fluid leaks.

5) Keep Your Car Clean

Another important car care tip to keep in mind is to run your vehicle through a car wash as often as needed. This does more than keep your car looking great—it also helps protect essential parts of your vehicle, like the undercarriage, from rust and corrosion. Specifically, regular car washes can remove potentially harmful buildup from contaminants like road salt. A thorough wash can also protect your car's paintwork from damage caused by bird droppings, tree sap, and other harmful substances.

6) Drive Carefully and Slowly

Exercising caution behind the wheel is critical—not just for your safety and that of other motorists, but for the longevity of your car. When you drive erratically or at excessive speeds, you put additional wear and tear on your vehicle that can affect its lifespan. For example, sudden acceleration can cause unnecessary strain on your engine. Likewise, harsh and sudden braking causes your brake pads, rotors, and other brake system components to degrade faster. By driving slowly and carefully, you can prevent premature wear on your car while staying safer behind the wheel.

7) Park in the Shade

Prolonged exposure to the sun's UV rays can wreak havoc on your car's paint job and interior. Park your car in the shade (ideally, inside a garage or other covered spot) whenever possible. However, be careful about seeking shade underneath trees: falling tree sap, bird droppings, and other hazards can actually put your car at a greater risk of damage.

8) Fix Windshield Chips Right Away

While a small windshield chip may not seem like a huge deal, it's important to have any windshield glass damage repaired sooner rather than later. Even the smallest chips and cracks in auto glass can quickly spread, especially when you hit bumps and potholes.

Once a small chip spreads into a larger one, it may no longer be repairable, in which case you may be on the hook for a total windshield replacement (depending on your car insurance coverage).

9) Maintain Proper Air Pressure in Your Tires

Keeping proper air pressure in your tires is one of the best ways to avoid uneven wear, which can prolong the life of your tires while keeping you safe on the road. Driving with the correct tire pressure also improves your traction and handling while reducing your risk of a flat tire or blowout.

Not sure what PSI your tires are rated for? You can find this information in your car’s owner's manual or on the sticker inside your driver's door. Typically, the PSI for a passenger car tire should read between 32 and 35.

10) Get Your Tires Rotated

Rotating your tires is another way to ensure even wear and prolong the life of your tires—which can save you money in the long run. Check your owner's manual for specific instructions on how your car's tires should be rotated and how often. In general, you should rotate your tires once every 5,000-8,000 miles.

11) Check Engine Oil

In addition to scheduling oil changes as needed, it's a good idea to check your engine oil once a month. You can do this by pulling the dipstick out from the engine (while the car is off) and wiping the excess oil from the dipstick on a white paper towel. Clean engine oil should appear brown or black. If the oil is any other color, you should take your car to a reputable mechanic to investigate.

You can also check your oil levels using the dipstick. When removing it from the engine, check to make sure that the oil falls between the "MIN" and "MAX" lines.

12) Change Air Filters Regularly

Your car's cabin air filter has the important job of removing pollutants and other contaminants from the air you breathe. A dirty filter impacts your air quality and could affect other components of your car's heating and cooling system over time.

In addition to your cabin air filter, make sure you change your engine air filter as needed. The engine air filter keeps dirt and other debris from getting into the engine. A dirty filter will not be able to do this effectively, which could cause problems with your engine in the future and affect your fuel economy.

13) Run Your AC in the Winter Time

While running your car's air conditioning during the cold winter months may sound counterintuitive, this tip could help protect your AC system from costly damage. Running your vehicle's AC for a few minutes here and there, even during the winter months, can reduce refrigerant loss and keep your radiator running more smoothly when you need it most.

14) Inspect Your Belts and Hoses

Over time, the belts and hoses in your car can break down and require replacement. It's always best to replace a worn belt before it snaps or breaks, as a broken belt can cause a lot more damage. For this reason, car owners should carefully follow belt and hose replacement recommendations found in their owners' manuals. This is especially important for serpentine belts and timing belts, which are vital for keeping any car's engine running.

In general, you should replace your serpentine belts once every 90,000 miles. Timing belts may need replacing once every 60,000 to 100,000 miles.

15) Check Your Spark Plugs

One of the simplest yet most effective things you can do to take care of your car's engine (aside from staying on top of oil changes) is checking and replacing your spark plugs as needed. Typically, you'll know you need new spark plugs if you're experiencing rough idling, engine misfiring, or slow acceleration. The good news is that spark plugs are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace—and doing so could save you a nice chunk of change on a more expensive engine repair later on.

Typically, spark plugs need to be replaced every 20,000 to 40,000 miles. However, this can vary from one car to the next, so check your owner's manual for a more specific recommendation.

16) Check Your Spare Tire

Hopefully, you'll never be in a situation where you need to use your spare tire. Still, it's a good idea to prepare just in case. Check your spare tire regularly to ensure that it's inflated to the proper PSI, so it'll be ready to go if you need it—potentially saving you hundreds of dollars on a tow truck. If you don't have a spare tire for your car, consider ordering one from your local dealership. Whether you have a new or used car, never assume that it's equipped with a spare tire.

Safe Drivers Choose Clearcover for Auto Insurance

You don't need to be a professional mechanic to stay on top of your vehicle's maintenance. From checking your fluid levels to ensuring that your tires are filled to the proper PSI, a little time and effort go a long way towards keeping your car running safely and smoothly.

You care about your car, so make sure it's properly insured. Clearcover is committed to offering affordable car insurance that's smarter, faster, and puts you in control. Explore our coverage options and start your quote today!