We rely on our vehicles to get us everywhere we need to go when we need to go there. In return, our vehicles rely on routine maintenance. It takes making sure that things like tires, brakes, fluids, filters, and more are in order for your vehicle to remain safe and dependable. There are a lot of moving parts, let’s take a look at some routine maintenance every driver should consider.

Check and Rotate Your Tires. Nobody likes a flat tire, but it is one of the most common issues drivers face on the road. There are a ton of ways a flat tire can occur, and not all of them are avoidable, but the following can help:

  • Have your tires routinely checked and rotated by your mechanic. It is recommended that you have your tires rotated about every 5,000 miles.
  • Perform tire checks yourself when you are preparing for a big road trip.
  • Regularly check your tire pressure, adding air when needed. Most car manufacturers recommend a tire pressure of 32 to 35 psi.
  • Keep an eye on your tire tread. When in doubt, perform a penny test.

Penny Test: Place a penny with Abraham Lincoln’s head facing downwards in your tire tread. If the top of Lincoln’s head disappears in the tread, your tires have more than 2/32 of an inch of tread left and you don’t need to replace them. But if Lincoln’s head is still visible, it may be time for new tires.

Change Your Oil. Just like you need water, your car needs oil. It is a vital part of keeping your engine lubricated and moving as it should. Without it, your engine would eventually fail. The following are good practices to follow to keep your engine running properly:

  • Keep a regular schedule of appointments with your mechanic to have your vehicle’s oil changed.
  • Keep an eye on your oil levels on your own. If the oil is too low or appears dark in color or gritty to the touch, it may be time for an oil change.
  • Keep extra oil on hand in the event yours needs to be filled before your oil change occurs.
    • If you are filling your oil often in between oil changes, have your car checked by a professional for any leaks or repairs needed.

Check Your Fluids. Oil is not the only fluid that your vehicle needs to function. The following are fluids to keep an eye on:

  • Transmission fluid. Used to keep the transmission of your vehicle running properly, this fluid is changed in intervals and can last anywhere between 30,000 and 100,000 miles, depending on the kind of fluid and transmission.
  • Brake fluid. Used to strengthen the effect of your foot pressing on the brake, this fluid should be clear and is usually changed every three years.
  • Power steering fluid. Used to strengthen the effect of the vehicle’s steering, this fluid should be bright red and is usually changed every two years.
  • Engine coolant/Antifreeze. Used to regulate the temperature of your vehicle, this fluid is usually changed every two years.

The following are good practices to follow in regard to these fluids:

  • Have them routinely checked by your mechanic.
  • Know where to locate these fluids and how to check them on your own. This is dependent on your vehicle’s make and model.
  • Keep extra fluids on hand for your vehicle in the event they need to be filled.

Review Your Car Insurance. Just like hands-on maintenance to your vehicle, maintenance to your car insurance on a regular basis is also important. Reviewing your car insurance can help you make sure your coverage is up to date and potentially save you money in the event of a claim. It is good practice to:

  • Meet with your Gannon Associates Insurance agent on an annual basis to review your policy and adjust coverage as needed.
  • Alert your Gannon Associates Insurance agent in the event of any changes to your drivers, vehicles, etc. that occur outside of that annual meeting.

To discuss your auto insurance coverage give us a call at 877-GANNONS today!