5 Car Care Resolutions You Should Make for 2021
Well, we are almost a month into 2021, and with all of the excitement, it’s been easy to lose track of some of those resolutions or plans you made for the new year. But don’t stress — it’s not too late to start working on whatever new ideas, habits or goals you have in mind. In fact, one of the easiest resolutions you can make and keep for 2021 is regular car care, and it’s definitely not too late to start this one. Here’s a quick list of recommendations for car care to get you started.
Teach Yourself How to Jump-Start a Car.
One of the worst feelings is that of turning the key in your car’s ignition, only to be greeted by…nothing. While many of us now have roadside assistance as part of our car insurance, or even as a separate expense, knowing how to jump a vehicle is still an important skill to have. Better still, it’s an easy skill to learn: check out these step-by-step instructions. Review these instructions until you have them memorized and get yourself a quality pair of jumper cables to keep in your trunk.
Learn How to Change a Flat Tire
Much like jump-starting a car, knowing how to change a flat tire might seem unnecessary now that companies offering roadside assistance are everywhere. But, getting roadside assistance still depends on you being able to contact those services. If you are in a location with poor cell service, then you may be left to your own devices. This is a situation where knowing how to change your own flat tire (without assistance) will be an extremely useful skill to have. Follow this link for step-by-step instructions on how to change your tire without assistance. In addition to having this knowledge, you’ll want a few tools to keep in your vehicle. Specifically, a jack, a lug wrench, a flashlight, and most importantly, a spare tire.
Start Inspecting Your Tires on a Regular Basis
A good way to avoid dealing with flat tires and blowouts (even if you know how to change your tires) is to make sure that your tires are in good condition. Many of us are guilty of checking our tires only after we experience a flat or a blowout. It’s important to make inspecting your tires a habit. We recommend a visual inspection of all four tires every 2 weeks. Examine each of your tires to make sure that they are in good condition, which means no damage, bulging, or sidewall separation. During this inspection, you should also check the tire pressure to make sure that your tires are inflated to the right PSI.
Develop a Routine Oil Change Schedule
This is probably one of the easiest recommendations on our list. It’s also an important one. Oil is what keeps your engine cool and lubricated, and not changing it can lead to problems with your engine that can result in expensive repairs. Many mechanics and auto shops now offer reminder services for your next oil change. This may be reminder calls/texts/emails letting you know when you are due for your next oil change, or the mechanic may affix a decal to your windshield that includes the date that you should get your oil changed. The most important thing for you to do is get yourself a regular mechanic, if you don’t already have one. And, if your mechanic doesn’t track when you should get your oil changed, then do it yourself. With the technology available today, you can set yourself a reminder on your phone (via your calendar or an alarm), or you can take the old school route and write down the information. Just make sure that if you write it down, that you put it somewhere that you will constantly see it.
Commit to Detailing Your Car Regularly
While you don’t have to detail your car often, you should make this a part of your car car care routine. As the weather warms up, it’s easy to put this off, especially on the weekends. But the satisfaction of keeping your car in like-new condition is worth the time and effort.
Get in the habit of clearing any trash and clutter out of your vehicle, and then vacuum wipe down the interior. You should also wash your vehicle, including the windows and windshield. In addition to washing your vehicle, you should dry it, and then wax the exterior to protect the finish of the paint. Again, this seems like a lot of work, but the reward of having a vehicle that stays in good condition and keeps it value high will make it all worth it.
By incorporating these 5 easy tasks into a regular routine of care for your vehicle, you can ensure that you will be saving yourself time and money down the road by avoiding repairs that result from proper and routine vehicle maintenance. Start the year off right and take charge of the care of your vehicle. By the end of the year, you’ll be glad you did.
DO YOU NEED COLLISION REPAIR IN SAVANNAH, GEORGIA?
Hollingsworth Auto Service is a collision repair facility located in Savannah, Georgia. For over 100 years, we have been building relationships with our customers and have a proven track record of providing quality repairs for generations.
If you are looking for a Savannah auto body shop you can rely on, call Hollingsworth Auto Service today at: 912.234.6651
