Vehicle Maintenance Checklist
Vehicle Maintenance Checklist
Your new car can give you years of driving enjoyment if you pay attention to its service needs. At Sport Chevrolet, we want to get the most from your vehicle by offering you this maintenance checklist.
Pop Open the Hood
When you open up the hood of the car, you can check whether you have enough of the fluids that are vital to running your vehicle. Oil is the most important of these. If you do not know where to find the oil dipstick or any of the reservoirs described here, check your owner's manual.Take a look at your oil level at least once a month. Park your car on a flat and level surface and allow the engine to cool off. Then pull out the dipstick, wipe off the tip, and insert it again into its tube. When you pull the dipstick out once more, the tip should show an accurate oil level.
If the level is below the minimum line, add some oil, and then reinsert and pull out the dipstick once more to check the level. Repeat this process until the oil is at the full line. While you have the hood open, look at the compartments for the windshield washer, transmission, brake, and power steering fluids.
Maintain the Battery
Jiggle the battery to ensure that it is mounted securely onto the frame. Then detach the battery connectors and examine them. If you're seeing a hard white residue on either the battery posts or the connectors, you can clean it off with a mix of one cup of water and a tablespoon of baking soda. You may want to use an old toothbrush to make this easier.Scrub the mixture into the residue to eliminate it. Then rinse off your mix by using water. You can dry the battery using rags before replacing the battery connectors.
If your battery is over three years old, and you’re having issues starting your vehicle, then it’s time to change the battery. Batteries typically only last for three years or shorter, if you drive in severe weather.
Inspect the Windshield Wipers
Look at your wipers every six months to make sure that they are not cracking or otherwise worn down. Make sure to check in the front and the back of your vehicle, if you have them there. If you notice that they are no longer clearing your front or back views as well as they should, you can get replacements at your local auto store. Most will also have instructions on the package on how to get rid of your old blades and insert the new blades in.Examine the Tires
If your car is new, chances are it already has a Tire Pressure Monitoring System that tells you when you're tires have low pressure. If your vehicle lacks this feature, you need to buy a tire pressure gauge from an auto parts store. Insert the gauge over the air valve of the tire to see the current pressure. If it's below the number recommended in the owner's manual or the doorjamb on the driver's side, fill it at the nearest gas station.While you're at it, check the tread depth by inserting a penny with Lincoln's head facing toward the center of the tire. If you can see the top of Lincoln said, then the tread has warned too much to be safe. Replace the tire immediately.