(Newswire.net — April 21, 2016) — Not everyone is a car expert or enthusiast. However, just because you don’t enjoy peeking underneath the hood of your car for fun doesn’t mean you should be a misinformed car owner. Every car owner – regardless of age or gender – needs to know the following:
1. History of Your Vehicle
Everyone needs to know the history of their vehicle – both their actual vehicle and the make and model. This is especially true if you’re driving a vintage model that’s 20 or 30-plus years old.
Let’s start with your specific vehicle. When purchasing a vehicle, you should ask for any service records and documentation that the seller might have. Also, check out an accident report to see if it’s been involved in any wrecks. This information will tell you a lot about what you can expect in the future.
Next, study the history of the make and model. This can also tell you a lot about your vehicle’s original design and how it should be treated. Take the Volvo 242, for example. A certain number of these cars were sold for the purpose of racing. They look almost identical from the outside, except for a variance in the center portion of the hood line. One version is rare, while the other is quite common. The moral of the story: Get familiar with your vehicle.
2. Changing a Tire
At some point or another, you’ll get a flat tire. And even if you’re a member of AAA or some roadside assistance service, it’s extremely helpful to know how to change a tire on your own. It could save you hundreds of dollars and a few hours of your time. Here’s a good guide for a first-timer.
3. Checking Tire Pressure
It’s important that you monitor tire pressure on a regular basis. While this isn’t something that needs to be done on a daily basis, you should do it every month or so. By ensuring your tires have optimal pressure, you can increase the fuel efficiency of your vehicle and extend the life of those expensive tires. You can purchase a basic tire pressure gauge from any local auto store and your tires should tell you the desired pressure range. And remember, as temperatures drop, you may need to add a few pounds of pressure. As the warm weather returns, releasing a few pounds may be necessary.
4. Jump Starting a Car
Another problem that every driver will encounter at least once in his or her lifetime is a dead battery. In order to get your car back up and running in this situation, you’ll need to jump start your vehicle. Improperly jumping the car can be dangerous, both to you and your vehicle, so make sure you receive the proper instruction and training.
5. Locating and Changing Fluids
The average person will take their vehicle to a local repair facility or mechanic to get an oil change or similar service performed, but it’s helpful to know where the proper insertion points are, just in case you need to top off your vehicle while on the road. Read through your manual and identify the various areas where brake fluid, engine coolant, engine oil, and transmission fluid are inserted.
Be an Informed Driver
When you understand these basic concepts, you’ll find that you’re a much more confident and informed driver. Should something happen, you’ll understand exactly how to proceed. You may choose to take your car to a mechanic, but at least you’ll understand the issue.