One of the guys here has a girlfriend who just got a new car. Her main focus when purchasing her new vehicle?  Just that it drives and looks “pretty.”

Well, we want to make sure her car keeps driving the way it should, so we’re putting together a basic maintenance checklist for her. And, since the Internet is a plethora of knowledge (and we didn’t feel like re-creating the wheel), we just included links to articles if you want more info.

Monthly:

Tire Pressure and Damages – maintaining proper tire pressure is an easy task that not only keeps you safe, but also provides for better fuel efficency. While you’re at it, give your tires a quick scan…leaks, uneven wear, bulges = not good. Read More. 

Antifreeze / Coolant – this is an easy one. Read More.

Hoses and Belts – Another easy one…look for any rotton, worn, frayed hoses or belts.

Quarterly:

Oil and Oil Filter - Two notes about this. 1) Bring your car in for an oil change every 3 months OR every 3,000 miles…whichever comes first. 2) Some people think that bringing it in every 3,000 miles / every 3 months is excessive – I disagree. For the $25-30 it costs you to get the oil changed, you also get the benefit of having a professional look at your tires / hoses / belts (and assuming most people will not inspect their car monthly, regardless of how easy it may seem, it’s a good idea to have someone take a look every 3 months). $25 per check is a pretty small bill that will prevent a lot of larger disasters.

Brake, Battery and Power Steering Fluid – add some if neccessary.

Windshield Washer Fluid – if you’ve ever been caught without it, you’ll know why it’s important. Windshields should be transparent. Take note.

Semi-Annually:

Headlights, Brake Lights, Turn Signals – Some cars will alert you if these are broken / out. Others are not so advanced. Assuming you don’t like being rear-ended, make sure every light is working the way it should be.

Brakes – As one can imagine, this is important. Bring it into the shop to get it checked or DIY Read More.

Spare Tire – Don’t be the main character of a horror film. Make sure you have a spare tire that is inflated and will actually help you in your getaway.

Wiper Blades – Again, windshields should be transparent. Replace worn wiper blades.

Again, this list just covers the basics and there is always more you can do. For those who are looking for extra, this is a nice check list I found on the internet…print and enjoy! 

Keep in mind that the more you do, the safer and better off you’ll be in the long-run.