Properly maintaining your car is very important, both in terms of avoiding unnecessary expenses as well as safety. Cars are heavy and powerful devices which routinely move at high speeds; this makes it unwise to compromise on any safety measures. Regular maintenance of your vehicle should be a priority at any time as even one of its safety systems failing while in use could spell disaster. Similarly, cars are expensive. Routine maintenance today could save very expensive repairs in the future. Although vehicle maintenance is widely considered to be difficult to learn, this is not necessarily true for general purpose vehicles, anyone can learn how to repair or maintain their own car in as little as an afternoon. This article has some routine maintenance tips that will let beginners know where to look when checking their car for issues.

Inspect the Tyres

As the objects that keep you and the car firmly on the ground, tyres are an important maintenance point in a vehicle. They are also likely to be worn out or damaged while in use. Start your inspection with the tyres, check if they have enough air, and whether they have any visible tears or other damage. Tyres naturally wear out over the years and should be replaced. However, poor tyre care can cause tyres to deteriorate faster. The braking system is attached to the tyre and should be checked for functionality. Devices such as Redarc brake controller can assist in applying brakes evenly to the front and back wheels which decreases the wear caused by uneven braking on rough surfaces.

Test the lights

The lights in a car indicate to other drivers on the road where your vehicle is and what to expect while driving. They are extremely important for road safety, and you should not be driving with damaged or improperly functioning lights. This is especially true of brake lights, turn signals, and headlights. Depending on jurisdiction it might actually be illegal to drive with either of the two damaged. Make it a point to test the lights before heading out.

Check the fluids

Vehicles make use of several fluids for smooth operation. The most important of which is ‘engine oil’ which helps in thermal regulation of the engine. Engine oil should be replaced routinely, and any leaks is a serious problem as it could cause the engine to be permanently damaged which results in the vehicle basically being unusable and requiring very expensive repairs. Other fluids are brake fluid, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid, all of which lubricate or transfer the forces in the relevant systems. They do not normally require replacement, but any leaks will render the subsystem essentially non-functional.

Professional Service

Have your vehicle checked by a professional every year or so, or if you notice any issues that might be an indicator of more serious problems. While the basic vehicle maintenance can be carried out by anyone, most people lack the tools and expertise for more in-depth problems, which nonetheless do occur.