If you love your car and want to protect its value and longevity, you’ll want to take proper care of it. You might wonder, “how am I supposed to do that?” With preventative maintenance – of course! A trained, qualified technician with the expertise and high-quality equipment should perform most of the care on your car. However, you should still pay attention to what’s going on under the hood from time to time. You can do some of the following simple checks and procedures at home:

Change the oil and oil filter 

The owner’s manual for your vehicle will designate precisely how often you should get your oil changed. However, a good rule of thumb is to change it every 3,000 to 5,000 miles (conventional oil). Regardless, you should still inspect your oil using the dipstick under the hood. Some things to look for are level, color, and consistency. If any of these look unusual, you should take your vehicle to J&S Automotive ASAP.

Check all the other fluids

Your other essential fluids include brake, power steering, transmission, windshield washer, and antifreeze/coolant fluids. Your owner’s manual will list out all the steps on how to check these solutions.

Check the air pressure level in your tires

It is recommended that vehicle owners check on their tire pressure at least once a month with a tire gauge. To find the ideal air pressure for your tires, you can look at the driver’s door frame or the owner’s manual for the exact numbers.

Make sure all your lights work

This is a very necessary step, especially in the fall and winter, when the days become shorter and the sun sets earlier. Please do a 360 walk-around your vehicle to make sure your headlights, turn signals, brake lights, and taillights work correctly.

Replace the windshield wiper blades

If your wiper blades are cracked or torn or are not effective at clearing off your windshield anymore, it’s time to replace them.

Inspect the engine belts

Your timing belt and serpentine belt should not have any cracks or missing sections. A break in the belts can lead to extensive engine damage.

Check the air filter

Please remember to inspect your air filter often and swap it out when needed. A clogged filter can be harmful, as it can allow contaminants and pollutants to escape into the cabin. Furthermore, it can also restrict airflow and reduce engine performance.

Please feel free to reach out to our service team at J&S Automotive for all your automotive maintenance needs. You can give us a call at (417) 319-7433.