#CHECKLIST FOR MY CAR MAINTENANCE HOW TO#
#CHECKLIST FOR MY CAR MAINTENANCE DRIVERS#

Check tread depth with a penny: If the top of Lincoln’s head is covered, you still have 2/23 of depth remaining. If you drive in wet conditions, a better limit is 4/32. Doing so may negatively affect your vehicle’s handling and the life of the tire. A tire is worn out if its tread depth is 2/32 or less. Use this checklist to winterize your car and prevent no-starts, frozen doors, engine freeze-ups, accidents, and more. Otherwise, you should check with the tire manufacturer or a trusted professional directly to get an inflation recommendation-and that figure can vary depending on the ways in which you use your vehicle.ĭon’t inflate the tire to the pressure stamped on the tire sidewall that’s the maximum sustainable pressure. A small tool kit (screwdrivers, pliers, an adjustable wrench, duct tape, zip ties) A bag of cat litter or floor sweep absorbent to help regain traction on ice Warm gloves, hat, and blanket. Check the pressure at least once a month. If your car still has its original tires, the correct pressure can be found in the owner’s manual or on the driver’s doorjamb. Incidentally, the TPMS light comes on only after a tire is 25% or more underinflated, which is dangerously low. (Gauges attached to the air hoses at gas stations are notoriously unreliable.)Ĭost to replace a set of tires: $500 or more.

#CHECKLIST FOR MY CAR MAINTENANCE HOW TO#

Check out how to change your engine coolant here. Wires and belts need to be checked for cracks and wear hoses for leaks, and cables for lubrication. You’ll save about 50 on your first coolant change and about 100 on each one after that. You’ll need to invest in an air-powered refilling tool to remove air pockets from the cooling system as you fill.

#CHECKLIST FOR MY CAR MAINTENANCE DRIVERS#

Yet according to a survey by Schrader International, a maker of TPMS components, 42% of drivers fail to identify the light when it comes on.Ĭost to properly inflate tires: $10–20 for a basic tire-pressure gauge. You can change your coolant yourself in about an hour. Most vehicles can go tens of thousands of miles without needing to have the air filter replaced, but it’s good to check on the condition of yours before setting out on a trip.

Tires low on air pose a safety risk, waste fuel, and can self-destruct.Ī tire-pressure monitoring system (TPMS) has been standard on cars since model year 2008 a dash warning light indicates loss of pressure in 1 or more tires (some systems even indicate which tire is low). Then, pinch the belt with your thumb and forefinger and move it up and down to check its tension.

Checklist for my car maintenance