Car 101 Know the Basics of Caring for Your Car

Have you ever visited your local car care center and felt like the mechanic was speaking a foreign language? Auto repair and maintenance can seem daunting to the uninitiated. The following guide is a handy way to know when it’s time to head over to the car care center.

Oil

Do you know when to get your oil changed? Oil is one of the most vital components of a car. Without the lubrication from oil, your engine can experience a lot of engine. Over time, the oil in your breaks down and becomes contaminated, which impedes its ability to properly lubricate your engine.

It’s recommended to change your oil ever four months or 5,000 miles. Otherwise, you should follow the recommendations of your car’s manufacturer.

When it comes to cleaner-burning oils, go synthetic. Because they burn cleaner, synthetic oils resist the sludgy deposits often seen with conventional oils.

Brakes

Brakes are essential to driving. You want to make sure that your brakes are in their best shape, and you need to be able to recognize when to have your brakes repaired.

Brakes have a relatively long shelf life. They can last from 25,000 to 50,000 miles.If your brakes need to be changed, you can typically tell in one of two ways:

• Look at your break pads and check for signs of wear. Brake pads there are two per rotor, each pressing against the rotor when the brake pedal is pressed should be slightly exposed. If you see less than 1/8 of an inch of break pad lining, that may be indicator you need to get your breaks looked at.
• Listen to your brakes. If you hear a loud screeching noise when you hit the brakes, that’s a clear signal that you need to get your brakes repaired.

When you recognize that you need new brakes, take your vehicle to a local car care center.

Tires
Correct tire alignment is yet another important aspect of a healthy vehicle. Tires that are not properly aligned can cause trouble for your car. Poor wheel alignment can cost your car up to a 7% decrease in fuel efficiency.

Generally, you should have a tire rotation done every 7,500 miles, or as often as the manufacturer recommends.

Experts recommend also checking your tire alignment when you get your oil changed, or every 6,000 miles; a lot can happen when you drive that much.

If you notice any of the above things or recognize any other problems with your vehicle, it’s a good idea to head on over to your local car care center so you can get the best care for your car.