5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CAR CARE

For most people, taking care of our vehicles only comes up when there is an obvious, large issue, or a recommended maintenance notice. But in between oil changes, tire rotations, and new tires, there’s a lot going on that everyone can keep an eye on themselves.

Here are 5 things everyone should know about taking care of your car or truck:

• How to change a tire–You will need a tool kit to do this, as well as a spare tire. Find the jack point underneath your vehicle, crank it up, and remove the lug nuts. Tighten the spare on well, and watch your speed as you go; most recommendations say stay under 50 MPH.
• How to check your tire pressure–This is another important one, and can help maintain your fuel economy on the road. Buy a tire pressure gauge, insert it quickly over the inflation cap on your tire, and see how much pressure it reads. Your vehicle manual will tell you what the optimal pressure is for your tires.
• How to check your oil–In between oil changes, it’s good to know where your levels are. And it’s pretty basic: find the dipstick on your engine block, pull it out, wipe it off, reinsert, and then check the level markers on the sides. Easy!
• How to check other fluid levels–Look at your vehicle’s manual and find out where to find the other fluids filling locations your vehicle needs: windshield wiper fluid, brake fluid, coolant, etc.
• How to alert your mechanic/service advisor to possible problems–If you notice a strange noise or issue, make a note. But more than just “that sounded funny.” Trying to determine more info: when the issue happens, what does it feels like, sound like, etc. The more info, the quicker the diagnosis and repair!

Did you know how to do some of these? Here in Shelbyville, we’re happy to help you with all your service needs–from simple questions to making service appointments. Call us at 931-575-4577 or schedule a service appointment online here.

For more things you can learn about your vehicle, click here.