Today, many women are independent and drive their cars to get to work, drop the kids to school and after school activities and do shopping for the house. So, it makes sense to learn as much as possible about maintaining your car, as it will help improve the life of your car and also ensure you don’t get taken for a ride when dealing with car mechanics.
Here are 10 car maintenance tips that every woman driver should be aware of.
It is important you understand how your car works, the different part in and when your car needs maintenance. You can get this information from your car owner’s manual. It will help you avoid expensive breakdowns and also come in good stead as a car owner.
Make sure you maintain the right pressure in your car tires. Remember, if the tires are underinflated, it could result in a flat or tire failure. Also, it affects your car’s fuel economy adversely. To find out about the amount of pressure the tires need, check the door jamb on the driver’s side. Also, invest in a tire gauge and learn how to use it effectively.
Your car cannot function without engine oil. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation on engine oil change and stick to this schedule without fail unless you change your driving habits. Use the engine oil suggested by the manufacturer to boost the longevity of your car.
If you notice a warning light flashing on the dashboard, don’t ignore it. Take your car immediately to a reliable and trusted dealer or workshop to get the cause of the warning fixed. This will save you from expensive repairs in the future and also ensure your car doesn’t stall in the middle of nowhere.
As a car owner, you will have to get your hands dirty once in a way. And, you shouldn’t resend it as this will keep your car running efficiently and reliably. Learn to check the radiator coolants, brake fluid, power-steering fluid, transmission fluid and engine oil, so that you know when it is time to top them up or get the fluids changed. Ask a friend or a reliable mechanic to teach you how to check the vital fluids of your car and follow the owner’s manual for checking and changing the fluids.
Rubber components in your car’s engine are exposed to extreme heat which causes them to crack and wear out quicker than any other part in your car. So make sure you get those hoses and belts checked every six months or before you go on a long trip. You do not want to be stuck on the side of the highway any time of the year, certainly not when it is terribly cold.
Today’s cars are filled with acronyms like ESP, ABS, and TCS. If you understand what these acronyms stand for and what function they control or offer, you will have a better driving experience. Check your owner’s manual to understand and learn these acronyms.
Your car tires are the only thing that connects your vehicle to the driving surface. So, it is important to have the right tires to ensure safe driving. You can get all-season or winter tires. While all-season tires are okay for light snowy conditions, you require winter tires for moderate to heavy snowfall. If your car has summer tires, make you get snow tires installed in the fall. You will have to remove them in the spring.
A car can be front-, all- or rear-wheel drive. A front-wheel drive car requires a different kind of handling than a rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. Usually, front-wheel drive cars are preferable in snowy conditions, as you can maneuver the car better. However, nowadays rear-wheel cars do not fishtail in snowing conditions, as they come equipped with an electronic stability system and traction control. On the other hand, all-wheel drive engines the wheel that requires the most traction gets the engine power to ensure smooth handling on a variety of surfaces, including snowy roads.
Learn to keep your car clean. So, make sure the headlights and windows are always clean. If you have dirty headlights, it will not illuminate the road ahead properly, thereby impairing your visibility. The same holds true for dirty windows since you will not be able to see the cars coming behind you if your windows are dirty. So make it a point every day to not drive a car that is dirty enough to put yourself in more peril – more peril than driving a car already comes with.
These are tips that can enhance your driving experience as a woman driver, ensure the longevity of your car and make your driving experience safer.
