There used to be full-service stations available and all that you needed to do was drive to the gas station. Those days are over and in order to ensure proper maintenance of your car you should make a monthly checklist. This checklist will ensure your car is running at optimal performance without having any costly repairs down the road. Many vehicles now require no repairs until at least 30,000 miles, so you should make sure you’re operating everything properly to avoid those repairs.

You should first check your fluid levels, such as oil, anti-freeze, windshield fluid, power steering fluid (if applicable), hydraulic clutch fluid level (if applicable), and the automatic transmission fluid. All of these fluids play a part in the operation of your vehicle. They should all be full in order to avoid any damage of your engine and other vital parts. You should also check all of your lights to make sure you don’t need to replace any of them. Check your brake lights, dash lights, headlights, back-up lights and turning lights to ensure none of them need replacing. Not only are these a safety hazard without them, but you can get an expensive ticket from a police officer.

Your tires should also be checked for safety. They should all be the same pressure and if they aren’t you can add air where it’s needed. You can be at risk for a deflated tire while you’re driving down the road if you don’t keep the right amount of air in them at all times. It will also lengthen the life of your tires. You should always keep them fully inflated according to their manufacturer’s instructions, not only for safety, but for savings. You spend less on gas if your tires are fully inflated. The condition of your tires should also be noted, such as if the tread is getting low. You can check your tread with a coin; if the coin is barely in the tread then it may be time for you to replace your tires. You should also get your tires regularly rotated so each one has the same wear on them.

Under the hood you should check for any wetness around your engine. If there are any leaks you should probably bring your vehicle to a mechanic to fix before the problem worsens. You should then check your belts for cracks, ensuring your checking the inside of the belts. Inspect all of the hoses and make sure none of them have any leaks or cracks in them. If you do see any leaks you shouldn’t try to fix it yourself, as it may cause more damage than good. Your mechanic should be able to properly fix any problems that arise from your monthly checklist before they become a major, costly expense. It’s important to do these checks monthly in order to save yourself a repair bill later on. The task won’t be nearly as daunting if it is done regularly. You’ll love how much you save after you start checking your cars parts to find a problem before it worsens. Maintenance done now will make you happier later on down the road.