Moms have a lot on their plate. They are responsible for taking care of their family, managing the household, and often working outside the home, along with many other responsibilities. So, it’s no wonder that car maintenance gets overlooked.
Keeping up with your car’s maintenance is crucial to ensuring its longevity and preventing costly repairs. Plus, it’s a great way to stay safe while driving. Learning the core car maintenance tasks every mom should know can help take some stress out of car ownership.
Check Your Tires
Properly inflated tires can help improve your gas mileage, while worn tires can be dangerous. Check your tire pressure around once a month and look for bald spots or signs of wear and tear.
Most cars have a tire pressure sensor that will illuminate a warning light on the dash if the pressure is low. However, it’s still a good idea to get in the habit of checking manually. You can find the recommended tire pressure in your car’s manual or on a sticker inside the driver’s side door.
Jump-Starting Your Car
If your car ever fails to start, there’s a good chance you’ll need a jump-start. Using the help of another vehicle and a set of jumper cables, anyone can perform this task with a little bit of knowledge.
Unreliable cars may need jump-starting a few times a year. Having jumper cables in your vehicle can help you or the person offering to jump-start your vehicle. You can find jumper cables at most automotive stores or online retailers.
Changing the Air Filter
The air filter is responsible for trapping dirt, dust, and other particles before entering the engine. A dirty air filter can harm your car in many ways, and it can cause problems by making the engine work harder than necessary. Engine problems can lead to decreased gas mileage and premature wear and tear.
Most carmakers recommend changing the air filter every 12,000 miles. However, you should check your owner’s manual to be sure.
Checking Your Oil
Moms should also know how to check their car’s oil. Most newer cars have an oil life monitor that will tell you when it’s time for an oil change. However, some older cars won’t have this monitor, and you’ll have to do it the old-fashioned way.
You’ll need to locate the dipstick, usually yellow or white, with a loop or ring on the end. Once you’ve found it, pull it out and wipe it off with a clean rag. Then, reinsert the dipstick all the way and pull it out again. Check the level of oil on the dipstick and add more if necessary. You can find oil at most automotive stores or gas stations.
No one wants car trouble, but it’s inevitable. Learning these core car maintenance tasks can help you avoid some of the most common problems. Plus, it’ll give you the peace of mind to know you are ready for anything.
