It's not that it's hard to remember to stay on top of car-care chores; it's just that it's so easy to forget. Take your vehicle in for servicing at scheduled intervals and you'll avoid inconvenient breakdowns and costly repairs.
Find a reputable mechanic (if you don't already have one) to service your car. Survey friends and relatives for referrals, always checking on any service provider with your local Better Business Bureau (see Resources).
Photocopy the recommended maintenance schedule for oil changes, tire rotations, fluid checks and tune-ups. You'll find this information in your car's manual. Enter key dates into your planner (see "How to Coordinate a Family Calendar").
Place a reminder in your calendar for the next service date, including a list of the maintenance to be done. When the reminder comes up, schedule an appointment.
Develop the habit of checking the oil each time you fill the car with gas. Use the first of each month as a reminder date for checking washer fluid levels, tire pressure and wear patterns. Put the reminder in your calendar until it becomes a habit.
Before road trips, do the following:
Bring the oil level up to but not over the dipstick's "full" mark.
Check the wear patterns and pressure of all four tires.
Top off the automatic transmission fluid, power-steering fluid, brake fluid and coolant level as needed.
Replace belts that are frayed or have glazed-looking undersides. Check coolant hoses for leaks and cracks.
