Hi people need advice to car care

I agree with @SmrtGuy. For brakes though it depends on the car and driver. I can go longer then my father in law when it comes to brakes. I know he had one car that wouldn't go a year.

If you always make short trips with your car, your tires might never reach the milage that they could normally. The rubber will age over time so you want to check the condition regularly. The rubber can dry rot over time. Keep an eye on the tread on all four tires. Tires can show you issues with suspension or alignment. Catching the issue early can save you a set of tires.

Check your air pressure often. This is a good time to inspect the tread and sidewalls for damage. If your tires are under or over inflated you can cause premature wear. This can cost you. Don't make the mistake of just checking the tread from the outside. You can have an issue that wears just the inside edge of the tire. I had this happen to me as a teen. I decided to check the inside and found that the outside looked almost new and the inside was showing threads and would have blown in a week or two. I check for that now so I can catch that early on.

James

 

To check the air pressure in a tire you would need an air pressure gauge. You can get then in basic models right up to digital ones like I have.

You just remove the cap on the valve stem and push the gauge on it then look at the gauge to find out how much pressure is in the tire.

The use a pump if air is needed. The recommended pressure is normally on a sticker inside the drivers door.

James

 

Well with low tires, they won't roll as well so it will make the engine work a little harder to move the car. This will cost you in odd tire wear and extra fuel.

As far as what to check, @SmrtGuy gave you a good list. You basically want to check all fluids to make sure they are topped up and look normal. You want to make sure any belts or hoses are not broken, cracked or look like they might fail at anytime. You also want to check for any leaks.

James

 

If it is a long trip it should be done. It can save you a break down. With kids this is something you don't want to have to deal with. It is also best to check days if not a week before a planned trip. You need to give yourself time to get any repairs done before you leave. Finding out that you need something fixed as your packing the car is a headache that is not needed.

The air filter should be checked often if your in a dusty area. Normally you can check a filter in a minute or two on most cars. In dusty areas you will more then likely need to replace yours more often then someone in an area with less dust.

James