6 Things Every Car Owner Should Know

If you’re like many people, your vehicle is a home away from home. Your vehicle, whether it is a mobile office, a school bus, or a takeout delivery service, is an indispensable part of your daily activities. Regardless of the manufacturer or model year, your car requires attention and care. Learn more about the six things every car owner should know, from checking oil and tire pressure to replacing the windshield wiper blades.

Check the Pressure on Your Tires

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Are you driving around with underinflated tires? When a tire is underinflated, the point at which it meets the road can flex excessively and cause the tire’s internal components to overheat, resulting in a blowout. Underinflated tires create a dangerous situation for you and other drivers sharing the road with you.

In addition to being a safety hazard, underinflated tires offer poor vehicle handling while in motion. From a fuel economy standpoint, underinflated tires are bad for gas mileage since they place extra rolling resistance on a vehicle, which the engine has to overcome by burning more gas.

Using a high-quality tire-pressure gauge, check the tire pressure, ideally at least once a week or minimally once a month. Look for a sticker on the inside of the driver’s side doorjamb that tells you the proper tire pressure.

Monitor the Oil Level in the Engine

Motor oil is the lifeblood of your car’s engine. It lubricates engine parts, preventing them from wearing out quickly, and keeps the engine from overheating. Get in the habit of checking the oil level after every other fueling of your vehicle.

To check the oil, park your car on level ground. You’ll want to check the oil when the engine is cool for many vehicles. With the engine off, open the car’s hood and locate the dipstick. Pull out the dipstick and wipe away any oil from its end. Reinsert the dipstick into its tube, pushing it all the way in. Pull it out again and look at both sides. Every dipstick has different indicators, such as pinholes or L and H letters signifying low and high levels, that you can use to verify the engine’s oil amount.

If needed, add the grade of oil recommended in your vehicle owner’s manual. Engine oils come in grades ranging from OW-20 to 5W-30.

Replace Your Windshield Wiper Blades Every Six Months

Windshield wipers get exposed to many tough environmental elements — the sun, wind, rain, and hot and cold temperatures. To keep your windshield wipers performing at their best, change the blades at least twice a year, ideally before the winter and summer seasons begin, says AAA. However, if you notice any problems with the windshield wipers, such as streaking across the entire windshield or excessively noisy wipers, replace them immediately.

Care for Your Vehicle’s Battery

Did you ever forget to turn off the headlights before exiting your vehicle only to return and discover that your vehicle has a dead battery? Certain vehicles are equipped to turn off the lights automatically, but if your vehicle doesn’t have this feature and you leave the lights on, you’ll likely need to get your vehicle jump-started. No big deal, right? Leaving the lights on and letting the battery go dead is like a heart attack for a vehicle. If you let the battery die three or four times, it won’t hold a charge and will inevitably lose power.

Checking the battery periodically can keep it in peak condition. Inspect the battery terminals for signs of excess residue or corrosion. This debris can impede the flow of electricity to the battery and prevent the vehicle from starting.

Have a Spare Key to Your Vehicle

Many vehicles today have systems built into them where the key is like a computer. The key communicates with the ignition to start the vehicle.

As such, these types of keys aren’t like traditional keys in that you can’t simply take them to a hardware store to get copies of new keys cut. Getting another key is often expensive due to the electronics that must be present to operate correctly. If you’re buying a new vehicle, make the investment and request a spare key when you purchase it. Keep your spare key in a secure place outside your vehicle.

Keep an Emergency Kit in Your Car

Regardless of whether you’re traveling short or long distances, keeping an emergency kit in your car at all times is essential. Below are some items every vehicle emergency kit should have:

• A flashlight can help you see in low-light conditions and at night.
• A pair of heavy-duty work gloves can protect your hands from vehicle fluids and other debris that could puncture or cut your hands and fingers.
• A reflective vest and triangles help you stay visible to motorists if you need to pull off the road and get out of your car to attend to a problem while driving.
• A pair of jumper cables will prove helpful when you need to jump-start a dead vehicle battery.
• Spare bottles of antifreeze and motor oil conveniently stored in the trunk allow you to top off these fluids on the road easily.
• A first-aid kit is a must-have item to keep in your car. Ensure the kit is always stocked with bandages, first aid cream, gauze pads, and other essentials.
• A fire extinguisher can help keep you and your vehicle’s passengers safe while you’re on the road. Some models are small enough to store in easy-to-reach places, such as your vehicle’s glove compartment or center console.

By investing time and attention into the care of your vehicle, you can ensure that your car will serve you reliably each time you get behind the wheel. From routine maintenance to repairs, Hiley Mazda of Fort Worth has you covered for all your Mazda vehicle’s needs. To schedule an appointment, please call our service department at 817-367-4000.