It is an old story – perhaps you’ve heard of him – about a young princess, travel trips, work experience in the small car (perhaps a used Honda is a better description more accurate). But alas, before reaching their destination, their car died on the road and will be towed into the garage next door. Instead of a knight in armor-gloss, our princess is a car mechanic who tells him that engine oil should be changed regularly – or it will no longer work and always well received. Then he comes to our heroine a $ 3,000 repair bill.

The good news is that our heroine does not need you! If you are not familiar with the basics of car maintenance, take a few minutes to read these tips. They help the car running and working time.

The oil changes are a necessary (but not as often as you think). Have you told your father I vaguely remember a car that needs oil every three months? While the regular oil changes to critical engine long-term well-being, do not go to Jiffy Lube as often as you want to believe. Get in your car Maintenance Manual (he probably still in the glove box, where he was the day of your new car on the lot) and check that the manufacturer recommends for the oil change. You can see that every 6000-7000 miles is enough for your car make and model. But if you’re not sure do not skimp.

And while we are talking about an oil change, you can forget the rule of three months as well. The mileage has resulted in a much greater influence on the condition of your oil is the calendar year. If you are a senior who led a few thousand miles a year, you can probably get away with an oil change every six months.

This brings us to the tires. Be honest, you never turned your tires? If not, will replace him at the end of your tires are more often than necessary. At an average cost of $ 100 per tire, which can be a costly mistake. Your tires should be rotated, about twice a year, so the plan to have done if you change your oil or any oil change unless you change your oil every three months.

Your tires will last longer if you are driving on tires properly inflated. But what is properly inflated? It depends on the make and model of your car. You can use the sticker inside the door of the car to get to the proper inflation for your tires, which is measured by the PSI (or pounds per square inch). Driving on tires are properly inflated tires last longer to help improve your gas mileage and help prevent a hazardous eruption on the road. You can easily find a car business that inflation of the tires, if they do, is check your oil change. If they do not offer this service, you will find another company to do so.

If you are a quicky oil change shop for your oil changes and tire monitoring is a good idea to keep you in the vending machine for a thorough inspection at least once a year. Your auto mechanic is more qualified to check the brakes, spark plugs, coolant radiator, and transmission fluid. You can also learn the history of the car and be able to recommend a regular tune-ups, if any. Remember to keep not to keep records for all your car maintenance and repairs. If you have a claim, your file will enable the manufacturer to prove that you maintained the car properly. Your documents will also help you, the amount of money if you sell the car that the new buyer that the vehicle is properly maintained to demonstrate.

Remember the princess at the beginning of this story? If only they had their car serviced regularly, they could save money for expensive repairs, the money can be saved to improve their gas mileage and records the difficulties and the risk of unexpected failure on the road. It would also be saved over the embarrassment of still photograph in an old story!