Maintaining your vehicle regularly is one of the best ways to prevent expensive repair bills in the future. While some tasks may depend on its make, model or year of manufacture, many can be universal.

Understanding what needs to be done when and how often is key. Everyone should possess a few essential car maintenance skills such as checking oil levels and adding air pressure to tires.

1. Change Your Oil

Oil changes are a key part of engine maintenance and should be done regularly to maximize engine longevity. In order to do this successfully, you’ll require an oil filter, new oil, a drain pan and a wrench or socket set – be sure to park on an even surface, avoid burning used oil as this could harm the environment, and never dispose of or dump used oil without first consulting an environmental consultant first.

Follow your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations when it comes to changing your oil, but adjust this based on how often and in what conditions you drive. Stop-and-go traffic or frequent short trips can put additional strain on an engine’s components and prevent optimal operating temperatures from being reached, leading to faster wear and tear and greater engine wear and tear.

2. Check Your Tires

Engine oil serves many important purposes; it lubricates moving parts, seals against debris build-up and cools the engine while helping prevent corrosion. Following manufacturer recommendations when changing oil can help ensure maximum engine health.

Visually inspect your tires and make sure they are correctly inflated to ensure safety, fuel efficiency, and tire wear. A pressure gauge should do just fine; additionally, periodically clean battery terminals to remove corrosive residue.

3. Clean Your Windshield

Your windshield is an integral component of your vehicle’s visibility, and dirtier windshields impair it further by creating micro-abrasions that can lead to cracks over time.

Maintaining a safe following distance while driving helps safeguard your windshield by deflecting rocks and loose gravel kicked up by vehicles in front of you. Early identification and repair can save costly replacement expenses in the future.

Always opt for cleaners designed specifically to address car glass cleaning needs; these will cut through oily residue more effectively and leave less streaking behind. Rinse with distilled water afterwards to avoid leaving streaks behind.

5. Change Your Oil Filter

As much as oil changes are crucial, so too are filter changes. A properly functioning filter ensures only uncontaminated oil reaches your engine, protecting its lifespan and increasing engine performance.

If you drive frequently in city conditions or harsh driving environments, more frequent oil changes may be required. Consult your vehicle owner’s manual for recommendations about when the optimal oil change interval is. Alternatively, look into using an oil life monitoring system that tracks mileage and driving patterns to suggest a schedule tailored specifically to you.

8. Change Your Oil Filter

Oil filters are essential components in keeping your engine healthy and strong, saving both money and effort on frequent oil changes by prolonging motor oil’s shelf life. Replacement regularly will keep your motor oil lasting longer – saving money through extended product lifespan.

Most vehicles should receive an oil change every 3,000 miles or three months; however, depending on driving conditions you may require an earlier change. Consult your owner’s manual for specific recommendations. To perform an oil change yourself, gather all the required tools and materials such as a new filter, correct engine oil type, drain pan and wrench or socket set.