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Maintenance Mistakes That Many Car Owners Make

Maintaining your car is crucial to keeping it running well and lasting long. Unfortunately, many car owners make common mistakes that can end up costing them a lot of money. If you want to protect your car and your wallet, keep reading!

Ignoring Warning Lights

One of the most common maintenance mistakes is ignoring warning lights on your dash; these lights are there for a reason. If you ignore them, you could be doing serious damage to your car. If a light comes on, take your car to a mechanic and have it checked out as soon as possible. Common warning lights include the check engine light, oil pressure light, and battery light.

Failing to Change Your Oil

Next, some car owners fail to change their oil often enough. Depending on the make and model of your car, you should be changing your oil every 3,000-5,000 miles; consult your owner’s manual for the specified interval. Changing your oil is important because it keeps your engine clean and running smoothly. Without fresh oil every so often, your engine will start to accumulate dirt and debris, which can lead to expensive repairs down the road.

Failing to Check Tire Pressure

Under-inflated tires not only make your car less fuel efficient, but they can also be dangerous. If your tires are under-inflated, they are more likely to blow out while you’re driving, which could cause you to lose control of your car. Check your tire pressure at least once a month, and be sure to keep an eye on the condition of your tires too. If they start to show signs of wear, replace them as soon as possible.

Justifying Noises

If your car starts making unusual noises, don’t just try to ignore them. We’ve all tried to blame an odd sound on something stuck to the tire, or perhaps on the vehicle behind, but odd sounds could be a sign that something is wrong with your car. If you’re not sure what the noise could be, take it to a mechanic and have them take a listen. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, right?

Choosing a Poor-Quality Mechanic

When the time comes and you need repairs, it’s important to choose a reputable and qualified mechanic. Skimping on repairs may seem like a good way to save money, but in the long run, it will only end up costing you more. Choosing a qualified mechanic who uses quality parts will save you time and money, and it will ensure that you don’t encounter similar problems soon.

Driving on an Empty Tank

Next, another mistake that car owners make is driving around with an empty tank of gas. This may not seem like a big deal, but it can actually cause a lot of damage to your car. When you drive with an empty tank, the fuel pump will work harder and will eventually overheat. Sadly, this can lead to a breakdown or even an accident.

Doing Too Much DIY

Finally, while it’s great to be able to do some basic maintenance on your car, some things should be left to the professionals. If you try to do too much DIY, you could end up doing more harm than good. For example, if you don’t know how to change your own oil, you could end up causing serious damage to your engine. So, it’s always best to play it safe and take your car to a mechanic with experience.