Basic Maintenance for First Time Car Owners

So you've just purchased your first car, but you're a little nervous because you don't know much about maintenance. Don't worry; it's not as complicated as you think.

The Battery

The car battery provides energy to your vehicle's starter, lights, and internal computer. For the most part, as long as you remember to turn off your headlights or overhead lights when you turn off the car, you shouldn't have any problems with the battery. Most vehicle batteries Clarence NY should last at least three years and up to 5. 

Some signs that your battery might need some extra care are:

• It seems progressively harder to start your car.
• A sulphury, rotten egg odor could indicate a leak in your battery.
• Your battery is more than three years old. In this case, you should keep an eye on your battery fluid levels.

Oil Changes

Oil changes are 'routine maintenance, meaning they happen pretty often. How often depends on your vehicle and how much you use your car, but the recommendation is to get an oil change every 3,000-5,000 miles. For most people, this is usually twice a year.

Oil helps to lubricate the moving parts of your car and avoid friction and overheating. Unfortunately, as you use your vehicle, the oil gets dirty and eventually no longer does its job. So don't postpone an oil change longer than you have to to ensure that you don't wear out your engine prematurely.

Tires

You should check tire pressure routinely, and it's always a good idea to look at your tires before driving. A tire pressure gauge should be in your glove box, and you should familiarize yourself with the correct tire pressure for your tires.

Ask your mechanic to rotate the tires at every oil change to keep the treads wearing evenly.