subject: Reduce Your Auto Repair Bills With General Car Maintenance [print this page] The condition of the economy has made many people look for ways to cut costs in their housing, heating, food, and auto repair in the winter. Even though money may be tight, you should not skimp on general car maintenance. Establishing a regular schedule of maintaining your car is the best way to ward off high auto repair bills and improve fuel efficiency. If you are not sure when you should be performing maintenance, you can consult your owner's manual or your local trusted mechanic to help you set up a regular schedule that you can post in an area where you are sure to see it frequently. Since you will see it often, the subject of car maintenance will be more likely to make a leap up your list of priorities.
Watch Your Fluid Levels
One of the most important things you can do for your car is to routinely check your fluid levels. Some people only check the brake fluid and oil and consider their work done, but it is more to it than that. Make sure that all your fluids are clean. Flush out your radiator and change the oil. When you change the oil, do not forget to change the oil and air filters. Regular fluid checks can reveal any leaks or other problems that may be developing. If you notice that your oil level is getting lower in a short amount of time, you could have a leak or some other engine issue. Your car should not be consuming brake fluid. If you notice that your brake fluid level is getting lower, you have a leak somewhere and you need to take it to a mechanic so it can be repaired immediately. Loss of brake fluid can result in a complete loss of stopping ability. Top off your windshield washer fluid and check your transmission fluid levels.
Have a Bumper-to-Bumper Inspection Before the Winter
A bumper-to-bumper inspection is not just to assure a car buyer that the car of interest is in good running condition. A complete inspection would include all of the systems on your car, including the heating and cooling systems, steering and suspension systems, and braking and transmission systems. It would also include a tire inspection and you can add other options such as wheel alignment and inspecting wires. Your engine will be checked for potential problems and your mechanic will inform you of any problems he sees and give you an estimate of the repairs needed. If you have your car checked before the winter, you can be assured that your car will run during the winter with minimal issues.
Take Care of the Tires
A tire inspection will help you to determine if you have the proper amount of air in your tires. It is best to invest in a good set of snow tires for the winter. Although all-season tires are available and popular, car manufacturers are making tires wider and with a low profile, which means that your car is actually lower to the ground. Low-profile tires are not conducive to driving on snow and the efforts to control fuel consumption by optimizing air pressure are minimal at best. Checking your tires will help you discover any slow leaks or other possible tire problems. If you catch problems early enough and faithfully perform general car maintenance in the present, you can avoid a huge repair bill in the future.
by: Mike Ehret
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