It might not be the most entertaining subject ever, but vehicle preventative maintenance can actually save you a ton of money. Not taking care of your car doesn’t seem like a big deal at first. Over time, the neglect will create a situation where you have a vehicle loaded with problems, some costing thousands of dollars to fully address.

Using a vehicle preventative maintenance checklist like the one below will only cost you a small amount of money. Some items require specialized tools, so plan each job out before you start.

Oil Changes

The oil in your car is like its blood. It needs to be filtered all the time, but over time the filter clogs up and the oil breaks down. This happens by certain intervals, which the manufacturer lists out in the manual. By putting in a new filter and oil, you actually increase the life of the engine, avoiding some costly repairs down the road.

Air Filter Check

The air intake filter shouldn’t be clogged with debris, otherwise the engine can’t run efficiently. Check this each time you do an oil change. Replacement filters are cheap and incredibly easy to install, making this job a cinch.

The same thing goes for the cabin air filter, which is just as easy to swap out.

Monitor Fluids

At least once a month, ideally more often, you need to check over all of the fluids in your car. Some are easier to see than others. Use the owner’s manual to get familiar with the different reservoirs and dipsticks you need to reference. This is something you can do while refueling. If any of the fluids are low, top it off as soon as you can. When you notice that a certain fluid is constantly low, that’s a telltale sign of a leak or a more serious problem.

Swap Wiper Blades

If you see that the wipers are leaving streaks on your windows, it’s time to replace the blades. This is an incredibly quick and easy job, but it can make a big difference between seeing in a storm and crashing, so don’t delay doing it.

Inspect the Belts

When you check all the fluids, that’s an ideal time to inspect the belts. If you find cracks or any pieces that are missing, the belts need to be replaced immediately.

Battery Cleaning

The cables on the battery terminals should be attached securely. If you can wiggle them off, that could cause your car to not start. Another issue that might leave you stranded is corrosion. When the battery terminals don’t look like shiny metal, you must clean them. This can be done with some baking soda and water, plus a small wire brush. Remember to rinse everything off with clean water afterward.

Tire Checks

Also about once a month, you need to check the tire pressure. You can find the correct psi in the owner’s manual or on the sticker located on the driver’s doorjamb. Keeping the pressure at that listed level will prevent unnecessary wear and help save on fuel.

While you’re at it, inspect the tread on each tire. Uneven wear can be a sign of poor inflation, or problems with the suspension. If the rubber has reached the level of the wear bars, which run across the tread, you need to replace the tires in the near future.

At regular intervals, you need to have the tires rotated and balanced. Your tire shop or mechanic should give you a schedule for this, so follow it. Unbalanced tires make for an uncomfortable ride, plus can wear out suspension components and cause other problems.

Manufacturer Recommendations

Each vehicle is different, and nobody knows better how to take care of them than the manufacturer. Inside the owner’s manual is a maintenance schedule, which you should follow as closely as possible. Certain items must be addressed at a certain mileage, while others are time-sensitive. Certain things on the schedule might also be on this list, while others aren’t.

If you bought a used vehicle and don’t have the manual, never fear. Automakers make the manual available through their websites, or you can order one through a variety of online sources.

Your car is a big investment. Not only do vehicles cost a lot of money these days, you depend on yours for transportation. It’s silly to let a thing like neglecting car maintenance throw your life into chaos, which is why it’s best to engage in some active prevention.

Even if you’re not mechanically inclined, you can follow these basic car maintenance tips. By taking charge of this area and not just depending on your mechanic to manage it, you’ll see additional savings, allowing you to spend that cash on other things. They also don’t require that much time, and once you’re in the habit they’ll be just a part of regular life.

Car Maintenance

Tires

Most people just plain forget about their tires, even though they’re arguably the most important safety item on a vehicle. If you take proper care of them, tires should last a fairly long time. If you don’t, you’ll go through tires quickly. Considering how expensive constantly changing out tires can be, this should be on everyone’s car maintenance checklist.

Driving around with tires that are underinflated will lead to faster and more uneven wear. Once any part of a tire’s tread is worn far enough, you must replace the whole tire or risk losing traction or a blowout. Either scenario can trigger a horrible wreck, so this is something to be taken seriously. Most modern vehicles have a low tire pressure warning light in the dash. Once that turns on, go to a gas station and use a gauge to tell how low the tires are, then refill them with air. It’s a simple thing that takes only a few minutes.

You should also have your tires rotated and balanced regularly. This also helps prevent uneven wear, making your investment last longer.

Fluids

The different fluids in your car are designed to prevent serious problems down the road, making them an incredibly cheap maintenance item.

You should be checking your car’s fluids no less than once a month. If your car is older, or if you notice drips on the ground where it’s been parked, checking more often is recommended. A great time to look over the fluid levels is when you go to a gas station. While the car’s filling up, pop the hood and check everything. If you find that one of the fluids is low, refill it to the recommended level as soon as possible.

Oil Changes

One automotive fluid is especially critical to running your car without major problems: oil. There are a lot of myths floating around about when the oil should be changed. Thanks to major advances in technology, it’s no longer necessary to get a lube job every 3,000 miles.

Different vehicles can go different distances between oil changes, so the best thing to do is to check the owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendations. While you’re at it, stick with the type of oil listed there, because that will provide the best protection possible.

Easy-to-Change Items

Some items are so easy to change out, just about anyone can do it themselves. They also wear out fairly frequently, meaning constant care is required. Chief among them are the wiper blades and engine air filter. When you notice that the wipers leave streaks on the windshield or back window, it’s time to swap out the blades. With the air filter, you should check it periodically. Once it looks dirty, change it out for a new one.

Schedule

You need to know your car maintenance schedule and follow it faithfully. Every automaker creates a schedule for specific models and includes it in the owner’s manual. It should have a set of items that must be addressed at certain time or mileage intervals. Since the company that made the car knows when different items could wear out or might need replacing, this is an excellent guide to follow.

Some people are knowledgeable enough they can do at least some of the maintenance schedule themselves. If that’s not you, there’s no shame in taking your vehicle to a professional shop and having the items addressed that way. It’s better to do that than to neglect your ride and then deal with bigger, more expensive problems in the future.

 

Few things are as violating as having something stolen from you. Vehicle theft can be especially difficult, because your car is often one of your most valuable possessions. There are some relatively simple steps you can take for car theft prevention, helping you to avoid the unpleasant situation and just enjoy life.

Car Theft Prevention

Garages

There are many car theft prevention devices out there, but the most effective is a good garage. Most criminals go for “soft” targets, or vehicles they can access easily and quickly. Only the most determined thieves will try to break into a garage, because it’s more difficult and carries additional risk. While some thefts do happen during the daytime, you should especially park inside a garage at night.

Park Carefully

If you have to park outside, choose the location wisely. If you must park in a part of the city with a bad reputation, find a pay lot that’s patrolled, not a place where you pay a machine and no workers are visible. Try to get a spot where plenty of people are walking around, like near the entrance to a building or a public sidewalk. Thieves love to break into vehicles that are in the middle of a large parking lot, or in a back row where nobody is walking around, because they can use tools to get inside without anyone noticing.

Always leave your car in park. If you have a manual transmission, leave it in one of the gears. Also, point the tires toward a nearby curb or other obstacle. If a thief has a tow truck, this will make your vehicle much harder to grab and could attract plenty of attention.

At night, you need to find a spot where there’s plenty of lighting. Again, thieves love to work under the cover of darkness, so taking that option away decreases the likeliness they’ll go after your vehicle.

Lock Up

It’s amazing how many people want to know the best way to prevent car theft, yet they don’t even consistently lock their vehicle. Every time you get out, you should lock the doors. This is true when you’re in a grocery store parking lot and need to return the cart after unloading it. Same goes for parking in the driveway while you run in your house for a few moments. What’s even worse is if you leave the keys in the unlocked car, because taking it is simple.

You should also close the windows and sunroof when parking your car, because that’s just as good as not locking the doors.

Use the VIN

All cars come with a vehicle identification number or VIN on several locations. You can see one easily at the base of the windshield on the driver’s side. Thieves often steal cars and sell them to chop shops, which take the vehicles apart and sell the various components. They know where the VINs are on a car and are good at scratching them out or ditching those parts.

You can make your vehicle look like too much effort by having the VIN etched into the windows or other visible parts. It’s a sign that you’ve probably taken other measures to recover your ride if it’s stolen, likely discouraging criminals from even touching your car.

Hide Valuables

It might seem like common sense, but plenty of people leave valuable things sitting in plain view. This includes computers, purses, shopping bags, phones, textbooks, sports equipment, etc. Even if a bag doesn’t contain anything of real value, a person walking by doesn’t know that, so it should be stowed where nobody can see it. If you have an SUV or wagon, throw a blanket over the items or get a retractable cargo cover.

Devices

Among the best car theft prevention tips is to use a security device. There are plenty to choose from. Some lock onto the steering wheel, making it clear to anyone walking by that you’re serious about stopping thieves. Alarms can be a good option, since they make noise that can attract unwanted attention. Some systems will send a notification to your phone when they go off, which is even better. There are also vehicle trackers, allowing owners and the police to see where a stolen vehicle is taken. While this doesn’t prevent the theft, it could help you get the car back.

Kill Switches

One of the most effective theft prevention devices is a kill switch. They cut off the ignition system in a vehicle, making it impossible to start the engine. Some setups require you to insert an extra key into the kill switch before turning the key in the ignition. Others involve simply pressing a button, which you can hide virtually anywhere in the interior. People have come up with clever spots for a kill switch, making the basically impossible for a thief to locate quickly.

 

Most people like to customize their car to one extent or another. This practice is engrained in American culture and our fierce independence. Even if we buy a popular vehicle such as a Camry or Tacoma, we want to do something that makes it stand apart.

Best Car Accessories

The truth is that not all car accessories are made equal. Quite simply, some are better than others. If you’re confused by the sheer variety of options out there, read on for suggestions of the best car accessories, then decide which ones are best for you.

All-Weather Mats

Most cars come with regular carpeted mats. The problem with these is when the weather turns ugly, they get ugly in a hurry. You can shampoo the carpeting on them, but some grime is tough to get out. Not only that, regular mats might wear out in a hurry if you’re constantly trudging through dirt, mud, snow, ice, salt, etc.

All-weather mats are designed to take this kind of abuse and not show the wear. They’re made of heavy-duty rubber and have lips that keep water, snow, ice, mud, etc. contained. While usually not cheap, they’re worth every penny.

Locking Lugs

Unfortunately, not everyone’s honest. While newer cars have become harder to steal for your average thief, the wheels are still big targets. This is especially true if you have nice wheels, because they can be quickly taken, transported and sold for good money.

The way to stop this problem is to invest in some locking lugs. They have a unique shape to them, so you need the “key” or a matching socket wrench that’s included in the set to get the locks off. You put one on each wheel (including the spare tire on vehicles like the FJ Cruiser where they’re out in the open) to stop thieves dead in their tracks.

Towing Packages

If your vehicle doesn’t come with a towing package, it’s a handy feature to have. A towing package involves more than just a trailer hitch. They include ways to keep the engine and transmission from overheating while pulling the additional weight, making this accessory well worth the investment.

Door Edge Guards

One of the most common areas for paint damage is the edge of doors. They can come into contact with walls, poles, other vehicles, etc. Over time chips, dings and scratches pile up, then corrosion takes hold and can start spreading across the door and to surrounding parts.

With the door edge guards, all of these problems are eliminated. When professionally installed, they look seamless and are barely noticeable.

Paint Protection Film

Sometimes called a “clear bra,” this protective film is like a suit of armor for the front of your car. A layer of incredibly durable urethane keeps the paint free of blemishes from rocks and other road debris you’ll undoubtedly come across. Each section is designed to fit the highest risk areas of your car, like the front bumper, hood, front fenders and side mirror caps.

The paint protection film goes on clear, so people don’t even notice it’s there. It’s a great way to preserve the clean look of your vehicle for years to come.

Rear Spoiler

A tasteful, body-colored rear spoiler can add a nice look to your car. It provides a sporty flair that also sets your vehicle apart from others. Genuine spoilers also fit with the overall look of the car, maintaining the originally feeling instead of looking garish and out of place.

Not only do spoilers look great, they perform a function. A spoiler forces the back end of the car down at highway speeds, providing increased stability as a benefit.

Bed Extender

If you have a pickup truck, you’re likely going to haul things on a pretty regular basis. Sometimes items are too long for the payload, which is where the bed extender comes in. It’s essentially like a cage that sits over the extended tailgate, bumping out the cargo space that much further.

Unlike other solutions, a bed extender is see-through, so other drivers can still spot your taillights, keeping with local laws. The extender also locks in place, properly securing your stuff. When the tailgate is folded up and locked, the extender is also locked in the bed, keeping it safe from would-be thieves.

At T3 Atlanta we can install all of these car accessories or more, helping you to achieve the custom look and functionality you desire.