ROUTINE CAR MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST MANUAL
ROUTINE CAR MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST PROFESSIONAL

ROUTINE CAR MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST PROFESSIONAL

To prevent this, have a professional check the belt and its various pulleys and tensioners after every 50,000 miles, at least. If your vehicle does have a timing belt, however, it can suffer serious damage if the belt breaks - replacing this is expensive due to the high cost of labor involved in the process, so it's good to know what to look out for here: strange noises like squealing, knocking, and grinding can be an indicator of incorrect belt tension or misalignment.

The latter can also be a chain and tensioner on more modern vehicles, with the idea being that these are more durable in the long run, but even these need replacing eventually. There are two major belts used in your engine, namely the serpentine belt and a timing belt (also known as a cam belt).

A general rule of thumb is to check balancing and alignment with new tire purchases, or at least once every couple of months. Additionally, the way your tires wear can indicate an issue - if tires on the one side are wearing quicker, you may need to do a wheel alignment check.This means that tire tread needs to be checked regularly to ensure you are within legal limitations and your journey won't end in a slippery slide. Tires are not just there to carry your car over the tarmac - they need to provide grip and traction to prevent accidents, and keep you safe in adverse weather conditions.It is good practice to do this when the tires are cold, so try to make it your first stop before continuing with your day. Repeat on all four tires, and be sure to check your spare wheel, too. You can then read the current pressure on the gauge - inflate to the correct number where needed, or let some air out if it's overinflated. Then, unscrew the valve cap on the tire, place the gauge over the valve securely, and push down.

ROUTINE CAR MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST MANUAL

First, look in the owner's manual of your vehicle (or on the sticker often found in the driver's door jamb) to find the recommended number in psi (pounds per square inch). To check, you will need an air pressure gauge such as those at your local gas station. Improperly inflated tires also wear out quicker, so it's in your interest to ensure you check this at least once a month.

Having your tires correctly inflated will impact the way your car handles, as well as affect fuel consumption.

But, for the purposes of this checklist, there are three things to remember: These checks should be done at least twice a month, especially before summer and winter temperature changes.įor a comprehensive overview, be sure to read our discussion on all things tire-related here. If there seems to be an oily layer on the top, seek professional assistance immediately. Also check the remaining coolant in the tank - if it looks rusty or has debris floating on the surface, you will need to flush the system. Top up with a mixture of water and antifreeze, or only the coolant if it's premixed. Locate the coolant reservoir in the engine bay, and compare fluid levels to the markings on the side. To learn more about your engine oil, read our dedicated article here.įor checking engine coolant, the process is simple.

Checking oil quantity is as easy as reading levels off the dipstick once a month. The recommendation to check your car oil levels once a month serves an important purpose - not only can you top up as and when needed, but tracking how much oil your car requires will allow you to identify a leak or other serious problem if you find the car is burning oil at a rapid rate. Oil is a vital lubricant for keeping all the mechanical bits of your vehicle running smoothly, but its primary purpose is cooling, and checking this is a straightforward process.

Routine car maintenance checklist