Owning a vehicle is a substantial responsibility, with numerous care and maintenance tasks to keep in mind. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to remember all of these duties at once, as well as the timeframe in which they should be completed.
Keep scrolling for a general list of car care and maintenance tasks for your information and convenience!
Tire Rotation
Rotating your vehicle’s tires is essential to ensure the most even wear on all sides. Although not all experts agree upon timing for this service, on average, tires should be rotated approximately every six months or every 3,000 to 8,000 miles. This is a fairly sizeable range, so keep in mind that you should always check your vehicle’s user manual for more specific recommendations.
Switching to Winter Tires
In a state like Colorado, where every season presents its own set of challenges, it is important to make sure that your vehicle is equipped to handle the changes. That being said, as soon as the temperature falls to forty-five degrees Fahrenheit and stays there consistently, it is generally a good time to switch to winter tires.
(If you’re wondering if this switch is worth it, feel free to check out our previous blog on the subject!)
Switching Back to Regular Tires
The “forty-five degrees” rule works for summer/all-weather tires, as well – but in reverse! Winter tire treads tend to be softer, causing them to wear faster in warmer weather. As such, as soon as the temperature stays consistently above forty-five degrees Fahrenheit, it’s time to switch them out again.
Washing Your Vehicle
How often you should wash your vehicle is more a matter of preference than that of safety or performance. While some drivers may choose to have their cars detailed and washed once a month, others may prefer more or less frequent appointments. Keep in mind, though, if you are in the latter group, washing your vehicle at least every few months will help to keep abrasive and acidic elements such as tree sap and rock salt from penetrating your paint and causing rust.
(If you’re wondering if you should still wash your car during winter, feel free to check out our previous blog on the subject!)
Brake Pad Replacement
Once again, this guideline is variable and experts recommend replacing brake pads anywhere between 25,000 to 70,000 miles, although many experts agree that rotors can be replaced with less frequency. Again, it is always a good idea to consult your vehicle’s manual and take into consideration the conditions in which you are driving. Rural roads, for instance, where braking is performed at a much lower rate, tend to cause less wear than highway driving, where stop-and-go traffic causes consistent pumping of brakes.
Wiper Blade Replacement
In short, wiper blades should be replaced when they don’t work anymore. Generally speaking, blades should clear your windshield with minimal resistance – although you should not expect them to clear six inches of snow off of your windshield that you should have cleared yourself!
(For more information on choosing replacement wiper blades, feel free to visit our previous blog.)
Oil Changes
Regular oil changes will help to keep your vehicle’s engine in tip-top shape for maximum performance. However, once again, experts disagree on the interval at which you should change your oil. Recommendations range from every three to six months to every 3,000 to 7,500 miles, but needs often vary depending on the vehicle. When in doubt, take a peek at your owner’s manual for a more accurate recommendation.
If you take your vehicle to a mechanic to get the oil changed, you may as well ask for a tuneup every so often, as well. While this service generally does not need to be obtained as frequently as an oil change (it will, again, depend upon your specific vehicle), it includes an inspection and sometimes cleaning and/or replacement of certain parts that accumulate the most wear and tear.
(This service will also help to maintain your vehicle’s value, which is a subject we explored in a previous blog.)
While this is by no means a complete list of tasks required, it will, at the very least, provide you with a few places to start regarding your own vehicle’s care and maintenance.
From all of us at Quick-Set Auto Glass, drive carefully out there!
