It is easy to take your car for granted, especially when it is running exactly the way it is supposed to. But things can go wrong without a moment’s notice. Most drivers ignore problems with their cars at some point or another. One of the things that many car owners are guilty of is not fixing problems when they arise. This inexorably leads to other, more serious issues, which could end up costing you a lot of money.
Here is a look at some of the major car maintenance mistakes you can make.
Roaming around with burned-out headlights – When you compare it to most other car maintenance tasks, it is relatively cheap and easy to replace light bulbs. It can be easy to know if your high beams or headlights burn out, as you will not be able to see. You should also be able to get a clue from the turn signal indicators on your dashboard if there is something wrong.
Also, be sure to check running brake lights from time to time to be sure they are working alright. When your lights burn out, get them replaced immediately. Who wants to be pulled over for burned-out headlights? Who wants to risk causing an accident because of burned-out headlights? Plus, you could get into an accident because the other driver could not see you, as just stated. These outcomes will cost you a lot of money.
They could also cause you more than just money.
Trying to jump-start your car without proper knowledge – Just because you have jumper cables in the trunk of your car does not mean that you know how to jump-start a vehicle. It takes more than just jumper cables to get it right, especially if you are new to cars. In case you do not use jumper cables properly, you could cause severe damage to your vehicle or seriously injure yourself. Although the procedure is a simple one, it behooves you to learn how to do it before you need to jump-start your vehicle.
This is not something you want to do after quoting Bruce Willis in Die Hard: “Yippee ki-yay, m—-!” That would be unwise and foolish.
Assuming that bald tires will last a little longer – It is always tempting to squeeze a few more miles out of your tires, but you should not give in to it. Instant gratification is never a good thing when it comes to car maintenance. It is essential to give your vehicle what it needs to ensure it maintains proper contact with the road.
If you do not know how old your car tires are, it is probably the right time to get a new set. Even if the tread looks okay, keep in mind that rubber gets worn over time. It might not be easy to see the damage, but even minuscule cracks can result in the loss of structural rigidity, meaning that the tire cannot perform as it is supposed to. If the rubber disintegrates in the area where the tread joins the tire, it can cause the tread to separate.
Improper lube job when repairing brakes – Although brake jobs are not particularly difficult, many car owners prefer hiring a professional mechanic to handle this type of job. And it is understandable as making a mistake while taking care of brake jobs can have serious consequences. Your car brakes work because of friction.
When you slam or press the brakes, the hydraulic pressure that is built up makes the brake pads and brake calipers squeeze in, and it is this friction that causes your car’s wheels to slow down. Moving parts require lube, or they will seize. You must be careful while applying lube. If caliper lube or axle grease comes into contact with the friction surface of the rotors or brake pads, your car’s brakes will not work as they should, and you could be in a real end collision or another type of collision.
Forgetting to replace drained fluids – Fluids play more than a vital role in your car. Most of them are as important as gasoline. Your vehicle always needs oil – if the moving parts in your engine go dry, it will cause them to seize up for good. The same holds for the transmission fluid. The brake fluid in your car helps maintain proper pressure in the braking system. The fluids are more vital than fuel, since if you do not have fuel, your vehicle will not start, but if you do not have any of these fluids, it can damage your vehicle and/or cause an accident.
Plus, your car’s coolant, or antifreeze, keeps things from getting too hot or too cold. This is why you may want to make sure that you replace drained fluids at all times. Any negligence on this front can lead to numerous avoidable hassles and expenses. This is, without a doubt, one of the most crucial car maintenance tasks there is.
Make sure that you do not commit these common car maintenance errors. It is the best way to make sure that your car stays in exceptional running condition for many more years to come. Avoiding these common, but glaring mistakes can save you from spending a fortune on repairs or replacement, or being involved in a wreck!