It’s spooky season. Cobwebs might seem like a good thing this time of year, except in your car–figuratively, anyway. With the rainy season right around the corner, October is a great time to work on proactive car maintenance or handle any overdue checks.
At Courtesy Auto Service & Tire of Tacoma, we’ll handle all your vehicle maintenance so you can enjoy a safe Halloween. Let’s look at common maintenance items to keep your car in top shape. Jump scares belong in haunted houses, not behind the wheel!
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Car Cobwebs: Commonly Overlooked Maintenance Tasks
Most vehicles are impressively efficient and require minimal work to carry us through busy schedules every day. But they do need some routine maintenance. These routine tasks can be easy to postpone, since your car may seem just fine despite them, but overlooked maintenance items are the surest way to set yourself up for costly damages down the road.
So let’s dust those figurative cobwebs from your car to keep it at optimal performance.
Oil Change
Checking and changing the oil regularly is one of the most fundamental routine maintenance items. Engine oil provides lubrication, cooling, and cleaning. Without it, the engine works harder, consuming more fuel and wearing down faster.
You should check your oil monthly, watching for low levels or poor quality. Even if you haven’t noticed any issues, you should change the oil once or twice a year.
Tire Rotation
As your vehicle’s contact with the road, the importance of quality tires can’t be overstated. But that road contact also means tires wear out. Rotating the tires helps ensure even wear. It’s also a good time to check tire pressure, tread depth, and wheel alignment. We recommend a tire rotation every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. It’s a convenient service to pair with your routine oil change.
Check Coolant
When you check your oil each month, you should also check the coolant. This fluid is essential for regulating engine temperature. The coolant reservoir is easy to find under the hood and is usually transparent so you can assess the fluid level and quality. Aside from adding more fluid as needed, you should have a coolant flush every few years.
Check Battery Health
Your car battery is one of those things you might not think about until one day it isn’t working. A dead car battery can be extremely inconvenient and even dangerous, as you might find yourself stranded. That’s why it’s better to periodically check the battery, catching low health before it leads to a dead car.
Some car batteries have a health indicator. Otherwise, you can use a car battery tester or voltmeter, or have it checked by your trusted mechanic.
Lurking in the Shadows: Less Frequent Vehicle Maintenance
Staying on top of routine vehicle maintenance tasks helps prevent more serious repairs, but there are also maintenance items that are less frequent but still need to be done occasionally. If you can’t remember the last time your vehicle had a full inspection, it may be time to check on these less frequent repair items.
Transmission Fluid
Though less often than your oil or coolant, your transmission fluid should also be checked and changed regularly. Consider checking it every few months and having your transmission fluid changed every few years.
Brake Repair
Brakes are the last thing you want to stop working. Having a full vehicle inspection periodically is the best way to catch wear and tear before it becomes a catastrophic failure. If you’ve noticed squeaky brakes or increased stopping distance, it’s time to have your brake pads and rotors checked.
Suspension and Wheel Alignment
Has your driving experience been a bit bumpy lately? The components of your suspension system wear out over time, becoming less effective at absorbing shock and stabilizing the vehicle. Additionally, alignment issues can cause the car to pull and vibrate. Occasional suspension maintenance and wheel alignment can restore your smooth ride and steering.
Convenient Vehicle Maintenance at Courtesy Auto
Many vehicle maintenance items are things you can do from home. Simply pop the hood to check your oil and coolant, and consider buying a battery tester. You can also use easy tricks like a headlight test for the battery or a quarter test for tread depth to monitor your vehicle’s condition.
But not everyone has the ability or desire to get under the hood, let alone under the car itself. That’s why Courtesy Auto is here for all your vehicle maintenance needs, from topping off fluids to replacing shocks and struts. If you’re overdue for routine maintenance and unsure where to start, bring it in for a multi-point inspection. Our expert team will find any cobwebs or lurking problems and get them cleaned up.
Schedule Your Spooky Season Car Service Today!
Don’t let long-delayed vehicle maintenance be the skeleton in the closet. At Courtesy Auto of Tacoma, you can count on fast, convenient service from an expert team. Contact us today to check car maintenance off your to-do list and get back to pumpkin spice and everything nice!