Learning to perform DIY vehicle maintenance tasks can help you save time and money. Learn more about this topic by reading this post by Jim Ackney in Edmonton.

Getting involved in your car's maintenance can seem intimidating if you don't have mechanical skills. Yet, you can always find simple tasks to do on your own to complement your vehicle's service program. To better understand the importance of following a DIY vehicle maintenance routine, think about the time and money you spend at the mechanic's shop. Of course, you need a qualified technician to have your car serviced yearly. Yet, getting involved in your car's maintenance will help you save money and learn new skills. Moreover, it will play a key role in keeping your vehicle in top shape for years. Having mentioned that, here's a list of simple, safe, and quick maintenance jobs you can do at home. Read on to learn more.

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Easy Vehicle Maintenance Tasks You Can Do Yourself

Checking Oil Levels

Our first recommendation is to check your engine oil levels at least once a month. Doing so will take you no more than ten minutes, yet it will maximize your vehicle's life and performance. As you know, oil brings many benefits to your engine. Besides protecting all the moving parts against friction, it dissipates heat and picks up dirt to keep the engine clean. Yet, some oil evaporates due to the high temperatures produced under the hood, which is why oil levels tend to drop over time. If a car's oil levels are overlooked for months, the engine "dries out" and succumbs to premature wear and overheating. To avoid such a risk, consult your owner's manual to review how to perform an oil level check. You'll come across a series of steps like these:

1. Park your car on a flat surface.
2. Make sure the engine is cold.
3. Locate the oil dipstick.
4. Pull the dipstick out of the oil pipe and clean it with a rag.
5. Reinsert the dipstick into the tube and let it stand for a couple of seconds.
6. Remove the dipstick again, and note the marks on the tip. The oil level should be between the two marks.
7. Add more oil to your engine if the oil level is below the lower mark. If the level is above the upper mark, contact your mechanic.

Tire Inspection

Tire care is crucial because these elements perform vital functions. For one thing, tires are the only four points of contact between your vehicle and the surface. Also, they support the equipment's weight and cushion the surface's irregularities. To keep your tires in good working condition, check their air pressure monthly by following these steps:

1. Check the pressure recommended by the manufacturer (you can find it in the owner's manual).
2. Check that your tires are cold and measure their air pressure with a pressure gauge.
3. If you notice that one of the tires is flat, fill it up with a tire inflator.

Once you check your tires' air pressure, check their tread depth. Remember that your tires cannot provide adequate traction if their tread depth is too low. That said, take a penny or a tread depth gauge and measure the millimeters of depth in each tire's rubber pattern. All tires should have a tread depth measurement equal to that indicated in the owner's manual.

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Wiper Blades Replacement

Windshield wipers are a device that car owners often overlook. Yet, dirty or deteriorated wipers can affect and even impede your driving visibility. That's why keeping them in good condition is essential. So, ideally, you should inspect the condition of your windshield wipers every six months. If you notice signs of wear, such as dryness or cracks in the rubber, replace your wipers before they cause scratches or damage to the windshield. To do so, review the steps described in your owner's manual. Also, check the correct size wiper blade your car needs.

Air Filter Check and Replacement

The air filter plays a key role in the engine's proper functioning. Your vehicle needs constant airflow to pick up oxygen for its combustion process. Yet, air carries pollen, animal hairs, dust, and even small insects that can damage the engine. As a protective measure, the air filter keeps impurities out, yet, it risks becoming clogged over time. It is, thus, necessary to check its condition at least every six months. You must also replace or clean it (depending on the type of filter) once a year by following your owner's manual indications.

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