Everyone should follow a basic car maintenance schedule.
Dogs may be man's best friend, but his car isn't far behind.
Neglecting small problems can result in them turning into huge issues that cost thousands of dollars to fix.
Most general car maintenance is quick and easy to do at home, so don't be afraid.
Follow these 10 tips for maintaining your car and you will save money and keep your second best friend running strong.
1.
Rotate your tires every 5,000 miles to ensure even tread wear.
If you don't rotate your tires, they will wear at different rates, requiring irregular replacement.
2.
Check your tire pressure.
Check the sidewall of your tires for their maximum PSI.
You want your tires to be close to that number for optimal fuel economy.
3.
Clean brake dust off your rims.
If you don't clean your rims periodically, especially the front ones, the brake dust badly discolors them and becomes hard to remove.
4.
Check tread depth.
If your tires are getting bald, replace them as soon as possible.
Procrastinating can result in an accident.
5.
Check your oil level regularly.
Keeping an eye on your oil is one of the most important steps for protecting the most expensive component of your car: the engine.
6.
Replace the oil when it looks like it is in bad shape or in accordance with the basic car maintenance schedule in your owner's manual, whichever comes first.
7.
Wash and wax your car regularly.
This is absolutely essential if you live in an area that salts the roads.
8.
Check your battery terminals.
Battery terminals often corrode over time, making it harder for the electricity to travel to the cables.
9.
Check your lights periodically to make sure they are all functioning.
10.
Bring your car to an auto parts store to have them check the computer for warning codes.
Most will turn on your check engine light, but not all do.
Maintaining your car can be fun and easy.
Just remember that following a basic car maintenance schedule can save you thousands down the road.