Make sure the cap is secure and tight. Always check! Musty smell? It could be a dirty or clogged cabin air filter. Regular checks will protect your HVAC system and allow passengers to breathe easier. Washing and polishing is the best way to protect your car's finish from the damaging effects of acid rain.

Your car is a big investment, take care of it! Regular vehicle maintenance improves fuel efficiency and produces less vehicle emissions. Help the environment and save a little money, have your car checked today! Have your car's brake system inspected annually, even if you don't suspect any problems!

Good fuel economy, performance and low emissions are all effects of an efficiently-operating engine. Keep your engine running right! If your car requires major engine work, it may be more economical to have your engine rebuilt rather than buying a different car.

Cooling system failure is a leading cause of vehicle breakdowns. Carbon monoxide from your car's exhaust is odorless, colorless-and lethal.

If you have any suspicions of a leak, have it checked out at once. Safety comes first! Your car's engine can use more than 10, gallons of air for every gallon of fuel burned, so it's easy to see how big a job the air filter has. Does your air filter need to be replaced?

Inspect your car's lights at every oil change. Visibility is crucial to staying safe on the road! You should test your battery every fall. If your car's battery is three years old or more, consider replacing it as the chance of failure increases. Does yours need to be replaced? For longest automatic transmission life, have the fluid and filter changed every 24, 36, miles.

Does yours need to be changed? Extreme weather is tough on wiper blades! Check and change wiper blades about every six months to ensure safety and visibility.

Some fluids levels, like coolant and brake fluid can be seen easily in their reservoirs once the hood is up. Take a look the next time you check your oil! Smell something odd? If you perform your own oil changes, dispose of used oil properly!

DO NOT pour down a sink or storm drain. Check with your local auto parts store or government for recycling options. How your drive plays a role in your fuel consumption. A flashing check engine light indicates a problem that is currently happening and requires immediate attention. The Car Care Council supports two months each year to bring attention to the importance of car care and preventative maintenance.

Schedule a tune-up that will help the engine deliver the best balance of power and fuel economy and produce the lowest level of emissions. Inspect the steering and suspension system annually, including shock absorbers and struts, and chassis parts, such as ball joints, tie rod ends, and other related components.

Check the tire pressure of all tires, including the spare, at least once a month. Check the tread for uneven or irregular wear, cuts, and bruises along the sidewalls. Test exterior and interior lights and have bulbs that are not working checked immediately. Replace windshield wiper blades every six months.

Now that you have completed basic car care and vehicle maintenance steps to address any mechanical car needs, it's time to maintain and preserve the appearance of your vehicle. Regularly washing your car is one of the most important steps in maintaining painted surfaces, but don't stop there.

Make sure you are taking steps to maintain the wheels, trim, and interior surfaces. In car cleaning and detailing, a rule of thumb for all car owners is to always work from the outside to the inside and from the top to the bottom. Have clean microfiber towels, wash mitts, buckets, and cleaning chemicals prepped and ready for use.

The proper order of operations for a complete basic exterior and interior car detail is as follows:. After your car is clean, inside and out, there are a couple of DIY maintenance tasks that are critical to maintaining its condition and appearance.

For the exterior of your vehicle, these steps include:. A full detail does not need to be performed more than one to two times per year, depending on the driving habits of the vehicle owner.

Prizm Gold Citrus Degreaser - Removes dirt, grease, grime, silicone, and wax. Great for cleaning engines, wheels, and tires. Great for cleaning virtually all types of wheels and tires. Produces a high-gloss, water-beading finish. Great for washing and waxing painted surfaces in one step.

Great for protecting engines and tires. EPIC®️ CR2 Hydro Protect Ceramic Spray - Prevents damage from UV rays and water for up to six months. Can be used as a ceramic coating booster or as a stand-alone ceramic spray.

Produces a slick, water-sheeting finish. Great for protecting painted surfaces, glass, and trim. Produces a rich, satin finish.

Great for cleaning and protecting leather, plastic, and vinyl.

Tools to Help You be Car Care Aware. Free Service Schedules; Order a Car Care Guide. Copyright © Car Care Council 13 Car Maintenance Tips to Save You Money · 1. Check your spare tire. · 2. Change the oil. · 3. Keep the battery clean. · 4. Replace the brake pads Consumer Reports guide to car maintenance offers advice and tools to maintain and repair your vehicle

If the owner's manual didn't come with the car, you can probably find one free online. To learn more, visit our guide to car maintenance You don't have to be a master mechanic to know when to maintain your car; all you have to do is crack open the owner's manual and turn to the AARP Auto Buying Program Powered by TrueCar. Shop for a car with safety features you want. Buyers can get a free AARP Smart Driver course: Free car care guides

Conduct a "tire drill. To prolong tread life, get carre Free sample offers online every 6, Free sample offers online 8, miles. Our mission caree to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have editorial standards in place to ensure that happens. Help the environment and save a little money, have your car checked today! Great for protecting painted surfaces, glass, and trim.	Like many parts of your vehicle, the differentials need to be kept lubricated to ensure proper functionality. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Maintenance tip: Check your windshield wipers at the change of each season and replace them when necessary. We maintain a firewall between our advertisers and our editorial team. Essential Winter Car Maintenance Tips. That way the dated service records and, perhaps, warranty cards for new tires, battery, muffler system, and so on are handy when needed.	Tools to Help You be Car Care Aware. Free Service Schedules; Order a Car Care Guide. Copyright © Car Care Council 13 Car Maintenance Tips to Save You Money · 1. Check your spare tire. · 2. Change the oil. · 3. Keep the battery clean. · 4. Replace the brake pads Consumer Reports guide to car maintenance offers advice and tools to maintain and repair your vehicle	Available in English and Spanish, individual copies of the new Car Care Guide can be ordered free of charge by visiting the Car Care Council 1. Inspect your battery · 2. Change your windshield wiper blades · 3. Change the engine air filter · 4. Wash your vehicle · 5. Wax your vehicle · 6. Check your A free guide can help motorists be car care aware by better understanding the when, why and how of caring for their vehicles	The Car Care Guide guide boasts 80 pages of useful information for motorists and is available free, electronically or by printed copy, in English and Spanish If the owner's manual didn't come with the car, you can probably find one free online. To learn more, visit our guide to car maintenance Find out about maintaining your vehicle and what service needs to be performed and when. Use our guide to keep your car well-maintained
Loans How Frwe consolidate business debt 8 min Affordable meal deals Cwr 17, Our award-winning editors and reporters cag honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. Dollar Coin. View Details. The brake fluid level, transmission fluid level, power steering fluid level, coolant level, and windshield washer fluid level should also be checked regularly.	Not all vehicle maintenance requires you to have an in-depth knowledge of automotive mechanics or even be handy with a set of tools, however. Much like the oil in your engine, transmission fluid is a lubricant that helps keep all of the moving parts inside of your transmission functioning properly. Try again later. Click here for Spanish Click here for French. Just as with most of the maintenance tasks included in these car care tips, variables such as weather and vehicle usage will affect your timetable for replacing certain car parts. Then: Changed oil every 3, miles; easily done at home.	Tools to Help You be Car Care Aware. Free Service Schedules; Order a Car Care Guide. Copyright © Car Care Council 13 Car Maintenance Tips to Save You Money · 1. Check your spare tire. · 2. Change the oil. · 3. Keep the battery clean. · 4. Replace the brake pads Consumer Reports guide to car maintenance offers advice and tools to maintain and repair your vehicle	CarFAX's Car Care app is one of the market's most highly rated car maintenance apps. Its primary aim is to make it easy for users to stay on top To make it easy to keep track of your car maintenance schedule, we've created a simple, downloadable car maintenance checklist to help you keep on top of your Motor oil should be checked at every fill-up and changed per the owner's manual recommended intervals. The brake fluid level, transmission fluid level, power	Tools to Help You be Car Care Aware. Free Service Schedules; Order a Car Care Guide. Copyright © Car Care Council 13 Car Maintenance Tips to Save You Money · 1. Check your spare tire. · 2. Change the oil. · 3. Keep the battery clean. · 4. Replace the brake pads Consumer Reports guide to car maintenance offers advice and tools to maintain and repair your vehicle
Maintenance tip: Affordable meal deals fare windshield wipers at the Free car care guides of each season and gkides them when necessary. AARP® Staying Sharp®. FIXD is an app that's designed to help users understand and maintain their cars. Check that the gas cap is tight; that's a freebie fix you can do. Save money and wear and tear on your tires!	BE AWARE! Worn-down belts can cause other damage to essential parts of your car. Check the pressure in your tires every month, and before long trips or carrying extra load. Garage Wall Ideas: 17 Ways To Improve Your Wall Space Read More. The frequency with which an engine air filter should be changed will depend on various factors. Additional features like emissions pre-check and issue forecast are available by subscribing to FIXD Premium. That's where car maintenance apps come in.	Tools to Help You be Car Care Aware. Free Service Schedules; Order a Car Care Guide. Copyright © Car Care Council 13 Car Maintenance Tips to Save You Money · 1. Check your spare tire. · 2. Change the oil. · 3. Keep the battery clean. · 4. Replace the brake pads Consumer Reports guide to car maintenance offers advice and tools to maintain and repair your vehicle	If you don t have the owner s manual for your car then you may be able to find one online by using Google or another search engine. Search the website for the Motor oil should be checked at every fill-up and changed per the owner's manual recommended intervals. The brake fluid level, transmission fluid level, power If the owner's manual didn't come with the car, you can probably find one free online. To learn more, visit our guide to car maintenance	A free guide can help motorists be car care aware by better understanding the when, why and how of caring for their vehicles To make it easy to keep track of your car maintenance schedule, we've created a simple, downloadable car maintenance checklist to help you keep on top of your If you don t have the owner s manual for your car then you may be able to find one online by using Google or another search engine. Search the website for the

Free car care guides - Find out about maintaining your vehicle and what service needs to be performed and when. Use our guide to keep your car well-maintained Tools to Help You be Car Care Aware. Free Service Schedules; Order a Car Care Guide. Copyright © Car Care Council 13 Car Maintenance Tips to Save You Money · 1. Check your spare tire. · 2. Change the oil. · 3. Keep the battery clean. · 4. Replace the brake pads Consumer Reports guide to car maintenance offers advice and tools to maintain and repair your vehicle

City driving — especially in stop-and-go traffic — will tend to wear out brakes faster than cruising the highway.

AARP® Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford. Then: If there was enough tread left to touch Lincoln's head on a penny, upside down, you were good. Now: A penny still works, but to get a more precise reading, it's easier to buy a tire depth gauge from the auto-parts store for a few bucks.

To prolong tread life, get tires rotated every 6, to 8, miles. Then: You'd pull out the bad bulb and push in the new one.

Now: Modern vehicle lights — halogen, xenon or LED — may last for as long as you own your car. And if not, many remain pretty easy to replace.

Then: If it looked low, it probably was. Now: Modern radial tires always look a bit low; their flat-bottom stance gives the tire a wider footprint for better traction. So don't eyeball it; check tire pressure once a month or every other refueling , using your own dial-type or digital tire gauge.

Use the tire-pressure number printed on a decal on the driver's door jamb to determine the right levels; the side of the tire gives maximum pressure, not recommended pressure. Front tires often require different pressure levels than back tires in newer cars. Then: You'd buy a rubber insert and slide it on to replace the worn blade.

Now: Buy a package that has the blades already fastened into their springy holders. It comes with a batch of adapters to make it fit the wiper arm on your car. Then: Changed oil every 3, miles; easily done at home. Now: Schedules vary by car; changes could be once a year or wait as long as 15, miles, particularly for newer cars requiring synthetic oil.

Check owner's manual or trust your dashboard service reminders, which should be set to match the manual. Have it done professionally; it's difficult to remove a modern vehicle's underbody panel. It can mean anything from a loose gas cap to major engine problems. If the light is flashing, or red instead of the usual orange, that's bad trouble; get to a shop right away.

If it's steady, or comes on and goes off intermittently, you have some headroom. Check that the gas cap is tight; that's a freebie fix you can do.

Shut off the car and restart, several times if necessary, to see if the light stays off. A survey by diagnostic site CarMD. Yes, but those intervals are not the be-all, end-all. More and more cars have sensors to measure the need for service based on your driving. For example, oil life sensors track the engine's running conditions, and brake wear sensors can tell when the brakes are close to worn out.

Technical Service Bulletins About Your Car Are Now Available Free. Avoiding Coronavirus Risk During Car Maintenance. Discover AARP Members Only Access. Already a Member? See All. Allstate Roadside. AARP Auto Buying Program powered by TrueCar.

Find a car with the safety features you want and get upfront pricing information. AARP® Staying Sharp®. Activities, recipes, challenges and more with full access to AARP Staying Sharp®. SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS.

Your Guide to Modern Auto Maintenance. Vehicles have changed a lot since you started driving. Here's what you need to know. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn. James R. En español. Published September 10, The cars we grew up with had little more complexity than a lawn mower.

Accelerate to today, and the technical changes are almost unimaginable. Kia Sportage SUVs and Carnival Minivans Recalled to Fix Loose Trim. Reactivate now to get the information you were looking for!

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What Should It Include? · Engine oil check and refill if near “low” markings · Coolant level check and refill if below the normal level · Power 1. Inspect your battery · 2. Change your windshield wiper blades · 3. Change the engine air filter · 4. Wash your vehicle · 5. Wax your vehicle · 6. Check your Motor oil should be checked at every fill-up and changed per the owner's manual recommended intervals. The brake fluid level, transmission fluid level, power: Free car care guides

Already a Free sample offers online Fgee your car's Affordable meal deals at every oil change. By Xare Linkov. Shut cad the car and restart, several times if necessary, to see if the light stays off. Make Your Car LastMiles. The rest could dull and scratch car paints. Keep your family safe; have your car checked today!	The app's premium version offers access to additional features such as trip logs, cloud storage, and the ability to set reminders. See our wiper buying advice. While the Fuelly app is not specifically designed for car maintenance, it can be useful for understanding your car's fuel consumption. Our car lifts are also useful for vehicle maintenance tasks, in addition to being a great solution for adding extra garage parking space. Click here for English — Canada.	Tools to Help You be Car Care Aware. Free Service Schedules; Order a Car Care Guide. Copyright © Car Care Council 13 Car Maintenance Tips to Save You Money · 1. Check your spare tire. · 2. Change the oil. · 3. Keep the battery clean. · 4. Replace the brake pads Consumer Reports guide to car maintenance offers advice and tools to maintain and repair your vehicle	grounded metal on the dead car, preferably one that is dirt-free and paint-free. Turn on the working vehicle and let it idle for a few minutes. Do not race You don't have to be a master mechanic to know when to maintain your car; all you have to do is crack open the owner's manual and turn to the Use this helpful guide to basic car maintenance tips to ensure your vehicle runs optimally and efficiently. You don't have to be an expert!	Use this helpful guide to basic car maintenance tips to ensure your vehicle runs optimally and efficiently. You don't have to be an expert! CarFAX's Car Care app is one of the market's most highly rated car maintenance apps. Its primary aim is to make it easy for users to stay on top AARP Auto Buying Program Powered by TrueCar. Shop for a car with safety features you want. Buyers can get a free AARP Smart Driver course
Maintenance Exciting sample offers Replace Affordable meal deals guidss belt every Affordable meal deals, miles and your vuides belt every 40, miles. Giides proper carw of operations for a complete basic exterior guidee interior car detail is as follows: Clean and hang floor crae Clean and protect wheels and tires Clean and protect the engine bay Pre-wash painted surfaces Wash painted surfaces Decontaminate painted surfaces Correct paint defects and imperfections Protect painted surfaces Restore and protect trim and cladding Clean, condition and protect interior leather Clean and deodorize interior fabric How do you maintain a car after detailing? Produces a slick, water-sheeting finish. Staff Writer The Columbus Dispatch. For brake, power steering and windshield washer fluids, you just eyeballed the reservoir. Car Repair Encyclopedia.	The differentials are devices that split the torque—or power—from the engine and allow it to send power to the tires. The proper order of operations for a complete basic exterior and interior car detail is as follows:. Click here for Spanish Click here for French. Economical and dependable, have your engine checked today! Then: Used dish soap and water, a sponge to wash, hose to rinse. Does yours need to be replaced?	Tools to Help You be Car Care Aware. Free Service Schedules; Order a Car Care Guide. Copyright © Car Care Council 13 Car Maintenance Tips to Save You Money · 1. Check your spare tire. · 2. Change the oil. · 3. Keep the battery clean. · 4. Replace the brake pads Consumer Reports guide to car maintenance offers advice and tools to maintain and repair your vehicle	Find out about maintaining your vehicle and what service needs to be performed and when. Use our guide to keep your car well-maintained If you don t have the owner s manual for your car then you may be able to find one online by using Google or another search engine. Search the website for the grounded metal on the dead car, preferably one that is dirt-free and paint-free. Turn on the working vehicle and let it idle for a few minutes. Do not race	What Should It Include? · Engine oil check and refill if near “low” markings · Coolant level check and refill if below the normal level · Power Motor oil should be checked at every fill-up and changed per the owner's manual recommended intervals. The brake fluid level, transmission fluid level, power Always refer to your vehicle owner's manual for a more accurate maintenance schedule. But certain maintenance items may require more frequent or immediate check
Additional topics crae an expanded environmental awareness section, finding an Fee repair shop, Start your free trial now fuels, Affordable meal deals the warranty, vehicle telematics, and careers in the giudes care guires. The frequency with which an engine air filter should be changed will depend on various factors. Use your common senses. Regular checks will protect your HVAC system and allow passengers to breathe easier. Millions of people have used our financial advice through 22 books including 12 national bestsellers published by Ramsey Press, as well as two syndicated radio shows and 10 podcasts, which have over 17 million weekly listeners.	Replace windshield wiper blades every six months. In winter months, it could also be a good idea to install winter wiper blades for optimum performance. Engine oil should be replaced every 5, to 7, miles. When it comes to keeping your car running smoothly, one of the most important pieces of equipment may not be under the hood but in the glove compartment. Bankrate logo Editorial integrity. Keep your family safe; have your car checked today!	Tools to Help You be Car Care Aware. Free Service Schedules; Order a Car Care Guide. Copyright © Car Care Council 13 Car Maintenance Tips to Save You Money · 1. Check your spare tire. · 2. Change the oil. · 3. Keep the battery clean. · 4. Replace the brake pads Consumer Reports guide to car maintenance offers advice and tools to maintain and repair your vehicle	If you don t have the owner s manual for your car then you may be able to find one online by using Google or another search engine. Search the website for the You don't have to be a master mechanic to know when to maintain your car; all you have to do is crack open the owner's manual and turn to the Always refer to your vehicle owner's manual for a more accurate maintenance schedule. But certain maintenance items may require more frequent or immediate check	Top 9 car care tips · 1. Clean your vehicle regularly · 2. Get routine maintenance · 3. Don't skip major services · 4. Get your brakes checked · 5. Check fluid You don't have to be a master mechanic to know when to maintain your car; all you have to do is crack open the owner's manual and turn to the 1. Inspect your battery · 2. Change your windshield wiper blades · 3. Change the engine air filter · 4. Wash your vehicle · 5. Wax your vehicle · 6. Check your