How to Maintain Your Car

Once you drive your new vehicle off the lot, you’ll want to do everything you can to protect your investment and make sure that it performs its best. One of the best ways of doing so is to properly maintain it. Fortunately, today’s vehicles don’t require changing the spark plug wires and condenser every few months, but there are some key steps you can take to ensure that it lasts for many years.

At Least Weekly

Washing your car at least weekly helps keep the elements and road substances from affecting the paint. Using a cleaner specifically designed for washing cars, pay particular attention to any problem areas you might have noticed. These often include the grille and front of the hood where insects and road debris can collect.

As you wash your vehicle, note the condition of the undercarriage and fender walls. These might need to be hosed out well so that dirt and road debris is removed.
While waxing is probably not necessary every week, you’ll want to do so regularly to protect your vehicle’s clear coat. When you notice water beading that is more than the diameter of a quarter, your vehicle needs a fresh coat of wax.

At Least Monthly

Simple maintenance on a monthly bases can keep your new vehicle running smoothly and safely. At least once a month, check the engine oil. Make sure your vehicle is on level ground and that the engine has been off for at least 10 minutes to allow the oil to return to the oil pan.

If your vehicle needs engine oil, be sure to use the right one as indicated in the manual. Take care to avoid overfilling it and check the level again before replacing the cap.
A vehicle that needs engine oil frequently might have a leak. If you suspect that yours does, get it into service as soon as possible.

The tire pressure is another check that should be completed at least once a month. You should also check it before you head out of town on a long road trip. Be sure that the vehicle hasn’t been driven and that the tires are cold. This will give you an accurate reading of the tire air pressure.

Check the maximum inflation pressure as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. This information is usually found in the owner’s manual, the front doorjamb or the glove compartment.

Using a digital tire pressure gauge or a pencil-type gauge, be sure to check the pressure in the spare tire as well. While you are checking the air pressure in your tires, check their condition. Note any uneven or abnormal wear and tear, sidewall bulges or cuts.

At Least at Every Oil Change

Today’s vehicles often don’t need to have their oil changed for 7,500 miles or six months, as recommended by the manufacturer. If your vehicle is older, though, or if you use it to tow a trailer frequently, your driving consists of many short trips or you drive in very dusty and dirty conditions, then your vehicle’s oil and filter should be changed every 3,000 miles or three months — whichever comes first. You’ll also want to change your engine oil more frequently if you have many and frequent cold starts.

If you take your vehicle to a service department for its oil change, the facility might complete some of the following checks. When changing the oil yourself, be sure to complete them at that time.

• exhaust system check
• constant velocity (CV) joint boots inspection
• brake check
• inspect the air filter
• fluids check
• inspect the battery

At Least Every Two to Four Years

Check the owner’s manual for your particular vehicle to find the recommended maintenance frequency for the following:

• replacing the hoses and drive belts
• changing the transmission fluid
• draining and flushing the coolant system
• changing the timing belt

At House Chevrolet, we build relationships with everyone who comes to our dealership. That relationship extends far beyond the purchase of your vehicle.

Our service department — which is open six days a week for your convenience — can partner with you to provide the best maintenance and care for your vehicle. Learn more by contacting us today or come visit our state-of-the-art dealership in Owatonna.

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