Attending to regular maintenance is an important part of owning a car. In addition to regular maintenance, there are also some useful checks you should have done from time to time to make sure your car is in good working order. Here are five of the checkups you should have done regularly for your automobile.
Brake Pads and Rotors
Brakes are one of your car’s most important systems. Although they don’t need replaced too often, it’s always a good idea to have them inspected on at least an annual basis. Having your brakes checked can ensure that they don’t start giving you problems as you drive. If your brakes seem to be slow to respond, you should take them in to get checked right away.
Transmission Fluid
Everyone knows that you need to check your oil from time to time, but it’s also important to check your transmission fluid. If your transmission goes low on fluid, you could encounter rough shifting or even more serious problems. Check your car’s manual to see the time you should get it changed. Most cars recommend changing at 60,000 miles.
Recall Checkup
Many newer cars have parts that have been recalled and are eligible for replacement. As a rule, you’ll need to take your car to a dealership to check and see if any of its parts currently have a recall notice. If you drive a Ford, for example, you’ll need to take it into a Ford dealership to have this check performed. Whatever model of car you have, making this kind of checkup can help your car perform better and last longer.
Tire Condition
As you go through your day-to-day life, it’s easy to forget about your tires. Nevertheless, it’s important to keep an eye on the condition of the walls and tread to make sure your tires are in good shape. If you’re not sure how to check the condition of your tires yourself, consider taking your car to a mechanic or a tire shop to have an expert examine them. Even if you are sure you will not need to change your tires for a while, having a spare set can be a great asset should anything happen.
Suspension
If your car is starting to get a bit older, it may be worth having a mechanic go through its suspension components to ensure they’re all still in good shape. Your suspension takes on wear and tear with age and can make your car less comfortable over time. If your car is relatively new, though, you can likely put this checkup off for a few years, as suspension parts are usually fairly durable.
By putting your car through these five basic checkups, you can make sure that it’s in good shape from top to bottom. Even if you don’t think there’s anything wrong with your car, having these checkups done is a good way to catch potential maintenance issues early and fix them before they cause serious trouble. Staying ahead of the curve can help your car run smoother, last longer, and cost less to repair.
