Sometimes you just aren’t driving your car as often, and that’s not bad necessarily. But it does require different maintenance from you, and Cary’s Auto Service wants you to have the facts.
You Can’t Just Hop in and Go
You might think that you can just get in the car and drive it whenever you want. But if you don’t drive the car often, it’s not that simple. You have to keep up with a maintenance schedule and even then the car may need some extra TLC before you do drive it.
Get the Oil Changed
Oil changes are a little different when you don’t drive the car often. Instead of changing the oil after a set amount of miles, you’re going to want to pay attention to the time in between oil changes. Get the oil changed at least once a year. If the oil is conventional oil, you might want to aim for twice a year.
Check the Tire Pressure
Tire pressure is crucial. When the car sits, tires slowly lose air still, so you have to make sure that the tires are at the right pressure before you drive the car. Also, rubber breaks down over time, so it is important to check other aspects of the condition of each tire.
Check All the Fluids
Engine oil is super important, but so are other fluids in the vehicle, like coolant, brake fluid, and transmission fluid. Make sure that all of those fluids are checked at least once a year. Even if you’re not changing those fluids out, you need to know what’s going on with them.
Get Hoses and Belts Checked
Tires aren’t the only rubber parts that can break down over time. Get belts, hoses, and other rubber parts checked to make sure that they’re still functional. Those can all fail without notice, and that’s not good for your car.
Keep the Car Protected
When you’re not driving the car, make sure it’s protected. If you can park it in a garage location, that’s idea. A car cover works in a pinch if you aren’t able to park in a garage.
Want some help? Cary’s Auto Service in Tempe, AZ is always happy to help with these services and any other maintenance needs on your car’s list. Give us a call today and we’ll be happy to take a closer look at your car for you and make sure it’s in peak condition.