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Moms have a lot of work to do each day - work, raising their children, family fun activities, and some even attend college all at the same time. Therefore, many times the one thing that may be lost in the list of activities to be done is car maintenance. But how do you remember to get all of these maintenance concerns done when you have so much to do? Below are some easy tips to help moms maintain their vehicles:
Read the owner's manual.
Do you know what grade of gasoline your car uses? Do you know how often you should replace your engine oil? Many of these questions and more can be answered using your owner's manual. Take some time to read your owner's manual. Whether your vehicle is new or old, you'll walk away with tons of information on how to keep your vehicle running at its best.
Replace your wipers on the 1st day of Spring and Autumn.
It's a good idea to replace your wipers every 6 months. To make it easy, replace your windshield wipers on the first day of Spring or for those with school-aged children, replace your wipers on the first day of Spring break. Also, replace your wipers again on the first day of Autumn or the first day of school. Trying to do these activities on a date where major things are going may help to remember to get it done.
Check how many miles since your last oil change every other payday.
You should definitely get your oil changed every 3,000 - 5,000 miles. If you get paid every week or every two weeks, this is a good gauge to confirm if you need an oil change. Most dealerships and shops place the sticker on your windshield letting you know when you need an oil change, but who has time to check to see if it's actually time? It may be a good idea to check to see if you need an oil change every other payday - then you can just get the oil change done right away.
Pay attention to all the sounds your car makes.
While driving, get used to all the sounds that your car makes; therefore, when something is going wrong, you'll know it right and be able to get it checked out. Every now and then, drive with the radio off and listen to all the sounds your car makes. Make sure you understand how your car runs - it will help to avoid costly repairs or breakdowns.
Pay attention to all of the warning lights.
Whenever you start your vehicle, make sure to pay attention to all of the warning lights. Most, if not all, turn on when you start the vehicle; however, you want to pay attention to whether any of the lights remain on. Refer to your owner's manual if one of the lights remain on, then take your car to the mechanic for a diagnostic test.
Visit the car wash regularly.
This tip is very important, especially during the winter. With the salt and snow on the roads, your car can get very dirty. And it truly cause damage to your vehicle. Make sure to get the undercarriage washed to remove all of the sediment to prevent rust and allow your vehicle to run longer.
Be prepared with an emergency kit.
An emergency kit is important. Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle, with all of the important tools, including a blanket, jumper cables, battery pack, first aid, tire pump, flares, and much more. If you are in an accident or stranded on the road, the emergency kit will help to keep you safe and ensure that your vehicle is seen.
Attend a car maintenance class.
There are car maintenance classes that you can take to make sure that you are up-to-date on such things as checking and replacing fluids, changing a tire, changing the engine oil, replacing an air filter, and so on. These basic maintenance items can help you to save some money, as well as keep you knowledgeable about your vehicle.
