Looking after your vehicle is clearly a highly important activity, not just for your safety and the safety of your passengers but also to save you the expense of costly unnecessary repairs.
Vehicle maintenance is the responsibility of anyone who drives regularly.
Regardless of how technically able you are there are certain steps that you can carry out to minimize the risks of a poorly maintained automobile.
Firstly you should always be aware of the condition of your tires.
Worn tires or tires that are rotting and cracked should be replaced immediately.
Since you rely on your tires to grip the road, any deterioration in their surface can mean that your vehicle will not stop safely in wet conditions or when you need to use your brakes suddenly.
Check your tires regularly and replace them before they are defective.
You should also regularly check your tire pressure and inflate/deflate them according to manufacturer guidelines for the load you intend to carry.
If tires are incorrectly inflated this diminishes their ability to grip the road correctly, which again could result in a serious accident.
Another check should focus on your lights.
Oftentimes we will start a car journey during the daylight and continue on after it gets dark when we need our lights.
Unless you check your lights before getting into the car you cannot be sure that the lights are likely to be fully functioning when you need to switch them on.
Systematically checking the oil and water in your vehicle is one of the simplest things to do and yet many people neglect to do so.
You should check the levels often to make sure you do not get caught out on a journey (particularly a long journey).
Driving your vehicle in dry conditions with a mucky windscreen and no washer water is no joke.
Driving around with no oil can damage your engine, which could cost you a significant amount in reparation.
Your wiper blades should also be checked.
Over time the effectiveness of wipers deteriorates to the extent that eventually all they will do is create smears when they are being used.
This can make it impossible to see out of your windscreen especially when it is raining.
You should replace your wiper blades at least once a year to ensure optimum visibility.
Of course if you do not have the time, expertise and/or the inclination you can always take your vehicle to a reliable mechanic who will be able to carry out all the required maintenance to a high quality on your behalf.
Of course this option is always going to cost you money, but you will have the peace of mind that your vehicle has been inspected and tuned by an expert.
In the same vein, you should always be sure to have your car serviced regularly to ensure that your car remains road worthy and your remain safe within it.
Basic maintenance of your automobile need not cost you the earth but it could save you your life.
Look after your car and it will look after you.