The Worst Maintenance Mistakes Car Owners Make
Car maintenance is a necessary chore. Putting off regular maintenance can reduce an automobile or truck’s useful lifespan, causing serious damage to the vehicle. Learn the worst maintenance mistakes car owners can make so that you can avoid them.
Ignoring the Check Engine Light
The check engine light is there for a reason. It tells you that something’s wrong and needs your attention. While it can light up due to things as seemingly minor as a loose gas cap, even that mistake can have serious implications for fuel efficiency and engine performance. If the light comes on, get it checked.
Driving on Bald Tires
Yes, new tires are expensive, but if the result of not changing them is causing a serious accident, wouldn’t you want to spend the money? Bald tires are dangerous because they don’t have enough traction on the road. This is especially true when the road is wet with rain or slippery with snow and ice. When you get your tires rotated, ask the shop to check your tire’s treads.
Putting the Wrong Fuel in the Tank
Everyone gets distracted sometimes, but filling your car at the gas station is not the time to zone out. If you accidentally put the wrong type of fuel in your car, its performance will suffer. If you accidentally put diesel in a gas-powered vehicle and start the engine, you just bought yourself a new engine.
Ignoring Weird Noises
When you hear something coming from your car that you haven’t heard before, and the noise gets louder or persists all day, take your car in for a check-up. These noises can mean anything from a pebble rattling around in the hubcap to a serious issue with spark plugs or cylinders. Better to find out what could be causing the noise as soon as possible than to find yourself stranded with a car that won’t budge.
Failing To Replenish Fluids
Most drivers know about regular oil changes, but they may ignore things like transmission fluid and coolants. Your owner’s manual gives you a schedule of when you should have your car’s fluids replenished or replaced (flushed). Don’t ignore this aspect of car maintenance. Transmissions, in particular, can be fussy, and ignoring the system’s needs is one of the worst maintenance mistakes car owners make.
It’s tempting to try to stretch a dollar by extending the time between regular car maintenance appointments. But putting it off risks more expensive problems down the line. So check the oil and the tire treads, find out what’s causing that weird noise, and make sure you’re filling up with the correct fuel for your make and model.