May 9, 2012 - Show Your Vehicle Some TLC

Basic car care goes a long way to improving your car’s safety, dependability and longevity. Brandon Miller, an instructor at Universal Technical Institute’s Dallas campus, offers five easy tips to ensure your car is in tip-top shape.

Check out the essentials. Check all fluids, including engine oil, brake and transmission fluid, as well as windshield wiper fluid to make sure they are full. Check the hoses and belts to make sure they don’t have excessive wear, and check your battery to make sure it’s corrosion free and not running low. Also test your windshield wipers, interior and exterior lights to make sure they are all functioning properly.

Inspect your tires. Check air pressure on all tires (including your spare tire) as tires that are not properly inflated could be costing you gas mileage. Also check the tread and inspect each tire for bulges and bald spots.

Check your air conditioning system. Nothing is worse than having a broken air conditioning system in the middle of a hot Texas summer. Bring your car to a professional if you feel like it’s not getting cool enough.

Clean your vehicle inside and out. Vacuum the carpets and clean all the glass in the car. You’ll be surprised at how much dust and haze is removed and how much better you’ll be able to see, especially at night. Remove excessive weight from your car like boxes or books you may have stacked up. Extra weight can decrease gas mileage by 1-2 percent for every 100 pounds.

Inspect your brakes. If you don’t know how to check to make sure your brakes are working properly, have a professional inspect the brake linings, rotors and drums. An easy rule to remember is to have your brakes looked at each time you get an oil change.

Visit www.uti.edu today to learn more about training to become an automotive technician.