3 Tips for Car Maintenance

You and your loved ones likely spend a significant chunk of your time in your car driving to and from work, among other places. For many, driving safety is an obvious priority. Keeping up with car maintenance can help you travel comfortably and navigate the roads more safely. A few key things to watch out for with car maintenance are brakes, tires and engine oil.

Brakes

One of the first things you should check for when you get your routine oil change is your brakes. Faulty brakes are the last thing you want when speeding down a road or trying to stop at a red light. If you discover your brakes need maintenance, there is brake repair Fairfax VA to handle even the more complicated drum brake replacements. 

Brake pads and rotors also wear and tear, so be sure to check them. Driving safely – for example, taking enough time to brake smoothly than having to slam it down, can help prevent the worst damage. Flushing your brake fluid every 30,000 miles is also recommended.

Tires

It is recommended that you replace your car tires every six years, no matter the mileage. For better tire maintenance during those five to six years, a make sure to properly inflate all your tires. Over time, too little or too much air in a tire can cause uneven wear.

For average drivers, tire tread can typically wear out between three and four years. Checking tire tread is another way to help maintain car safety.

Engine Oil

If you drive, you’re likely aware of your car needing its engine oil changed every six months or every 5,000 miles. If that engine oil alert comes on, you should get that changed as soon as possible.

Changing car oil regularly is an important part of keeping the engine running properly. As the engine oil keeps the internal parts of the car engine cool and lubricated, it keeps things from grinding against each other, which can cause damage. Not to mention, without routine oil changes, dirt, debris and sludge can build up in the engine. Dirty old oil will not lubricate engine parts well enough as fresh new oil, and can even cause enough damage to warrant a new engine.

Remember it's always better to be safe than sorry. Get any necessary repairs done right away to prevent more damage, and routinely check your brakes, tires and engine oil to ensure everything is running as smoothly as it should