December 27, 2012 - Resolve to Take Care of Your Car in 2013
It’s that time of year again – time to make your New Year’s resolutions. Many people resolve to lose weight, eat better or spend more time with their family. But have you ever made a New Year’s resolution to take better care of your car? Think about how much you use your car in your daily life. Why not resolve to take care of it? Jesse Torres, an instructor at the Universal Technical Institute Dallas campus (www.uti.edu/DFW), offers five easy things you can resolve to do in 2013 to keep your car on the road and out of the repair shop.
Resolve to keep up with your car’s maintenance needs. Remember that owner’s manual that is now buried in your glove compartment? Dig it out and make a note of when your car needs to go in for scheduled maintenance. When you get an oil change and the automotive technician puts the sticker on your windshield that says when you need to come in again, put the appointment in your calendar so you won’t forget.
Resolve to routinely inspect your car. Remember to check out the essentials like engine oil, brake, transmission and windshield wiper fluid levels to make sure they are full. Look at your car’s hoses and belts for excessive tear and wear and check your battery to ensure it’s free of corrosion and not running low. Also inspect your tires and check the air pressure as tires that are not properly inflated could be costing you gas mileage. If you see anything out of the ordinary, take your car to a licensed automotive technician.
Resolve to not ignore small noises. When you hear a noise that doesn’t sound right in your car, don’t ignore it. Take your car to a licensed automotive technician now to avoid bigger, and more costly, problems down the road. It is a good idea to have an automotive technician thoroughly inspect your car at least twice a year.
Resolve to keep your car clean. Dirt and grime inside your car can quickly wear down the upholstery. Remove any excessive weight like boxes and books that aren’t just cluttering your car but could be ruining your gas mileage. Wash your windows so that you can see clearly out your car whenever driving.
Resolve to be a more attentive driver. When behind the wheel your only focus should be on operating your car in a safe manner. Try not to drive when using your cell phone and if you must, try using a hands-free device. Check your mirrors when you are driving and leave a safe distance between you and the car in front of you. Also get to know your brakes. Anti-lock brakes come in many of the cars on the road today. If you aren’t familiar with how they work, go to an empty parking lot and test them out. Hit the brakes hard and feel the pulsation on the pedal, which are your anti-lock brakes working. If you don’t have anti-lock brakes, it’s still a good idea to test your breaks out in a controlled setting so you are familiar with them.
By keeping these resolutions in 2013, you can keep your car running smoothly and avoid costly repairs down the road, while also being a safe driver. If you’re not a car person, don’t worry. Have a license automotive technician take a look at your vehicle.
To learn more about Universal Technical Institute’s Dallas campus, please visit www.uti.edu/DFW, or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
