Safe driving starts long before you ever get on the road. Maintaining your car properly can help you to avoid preventable road mishaps. Sadly, thousands of people are injured or killed in car accidents in each year. In 2022, 3,272 people lost their lives on California roads. Many of these accidents are caused by vehicle malfunctions. Unfortunately, most people are never taught essential car maintenance for safer driving. These four commonly overlooked steps for vehicle maintenance will help to make sure you’re not overlooking something important.
Wipe Down Your Headlights
Did you know that half of all fatal driving accidents happen at night? Dirty headlights can dramatically minimize your visibility while driving at night. You need your car’s headlights to cut through darkness and fog with precision. If salt and dirt from the road have built up on your headlights, you may not be able to see objects, pedestrians, animals, or other cars in the road until it’s too late. In a worst-case scenario, that could mean a major accident. Even a best-case scenario without some sort of collision could have you slamming on your brakes in a way that damages your vehicle.
Stay Current with Oil Changes
That lamp icon that’s glowing on your dashboard isn’t just a friendly suggestion! Consider it a call to action. One of the most common ways that people bring unnecessary damage upon their cars is by neglecting routine oil changes. Oil keeps car engines running properly! The bonus is that keeping up with oil changes can actually help you to save money at the pump by optimizing your gas mileage. Here’s what can happen if you don’t change your oil:
- You might void your new car warranty due to neglect.
- Your car could blow a gasket.
- Engine components could warp from lack of lubrication.
- Full engine failure caused by sludge.
Always follow your car’s manual to determine how frequently it needs oil changes. While being consistent with oil changes is important, it’s also important to avoid being wasteful. Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, you could need an oil change every 3,000 to 15,000 miles.
Check Your Tire Pressure
Don’t forget that your tires are part of your car! Did you know that maintaining proper tire pressure can give you smoother rides, increase the lifespan of tires, boost gas mileage, and prevent dangerous accidents caused by unexpected blowouts? In 2021 alone, 622 people died on the road in tire-related crashes. Checking tire pressure at least once a month is essential! Tire pressure should be checked when it’s been at least three hours since a car was last driven.
You also shouldn’t go more than 10,000 miles without rotating your tires. Generally, rotating tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles is recommended. Rotation helps to ensure that all of your tires wear out evenly. Don’t forget to confirm that you have a properly functioning spare tire waiting in the trunk!
Don’t Ignore Streaks on Your Windshield
If you’re noticing streaks on your windshield, this means it’s time to replace worn wiper blades. Just cleaning your windshield won’t be enough to fix the problem. The streaks that you’re seeing are caused by the fact that the wipers are no longer connecting uniformly with the glass on the windshield. Leaving worn blades in place is dangerous because your visibility can be obscured on rainy, foggy, or snowy days.
