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Tips on Car Maintenance

What Every Woman Should Know

Buying a new car can be exciting, but a car is also a substantial investment, so it's a good idea to know how to properly care for one. Fortunately, a little preventive maintenance is all it takes to keep your car running smoothly. Here's what you need to know--along with do-it-yourself tips you can follow to save money--even if you've never picked up a wrench.

Car Maintenance Basics

You can keep your car running well if you follow the manufacturer's recommendations for routine maintenance, which you can find in your owner's manual. For most cars, that means doing things like replacing the oil every 5,000 to 7,000 miles, replacing the air filter every six months or as needed, rotating the tires every 5,000 to 10,000 miles and changing the fuel filter annually or as needed. Keep in mind that there are differences of opinion on when it's best to have these services done, and that they vary by vehicle, so stick to your manufacturer's guidelines for these and other maintenance procedures.

Easy, Do-it-Yourself Tips

You can save money and extend the life of your car by staying on top of routine maintenance, and you can do much of it yourself, even if auto repair isn't your thing. "Anyone with very little hands-on car experience can learn to replace wiper blades, headlamps, taillights and turn signal bulbs," says Pirouz Sichani, owner of Dynamic Power Solutions, an automobile service shop in Maryland. "They can also check and top off fluids associated with the engine, transmission, power steering and coolant, which will prevent big problems in the future. These tasks don't require special skills and can be taught in minutes."

So what can you do? When you fill up your tank, check the oil and transmission fluid (you might want to keep a rag handy to wipe the dipstick). Top off fluids as needed (check coolant when your car is cold).

Once a month, check your tire pressure with a digital tire gauge (around $10) that you can keep in your car. Make sure the pressure matches the manufacturer's recommendations, which you can usually find on a yellow sticker inside your car's door.

Replace your wiper blades every six months or when they start to streak or visibility becomes difficult (they snap on easily). Replace bulbs as they burn out and replace headlights every couple of years, because they dim over time (consult your owner's manual or the Internet for instructions).

Replace your air filter every six months or as needed. For how-to guidelines, check your owner's manual. This step is particularly important for the budget-conscious. "An air filter that is clogged with dirt, dust and bugs chokes off the air and creates a 'rich' mixture--too much gas being burned for the amount of air, which wastes gas and causes the engine to lose power," says Lauren Fix, a nationally recognized automotive expert. "Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent, saving about 15 cents a gallon."

Wash your car at home. Besides saving money and protecting your car's paint and mechanical components, Fix says you can burn up to 200 calories per hour.

One last tip: To be on the safe side, even do-it-yourself-ers should have their car inspected by a certified mechanic every year at the minimum.

Premium oil changes are more costly than standard oil changes, so you're probably wondering what you'll get for the added expense. Services vary by garage, but in most cases, a standard oil change includes replacing the old oil and filter with conventional oil and an aftermarket oil filter, whereas a premium oil change includes synthetic oil or synthetic blends and a premium oil filter, plus a complete safety check of your car's critical components. You won't notice a difference when you drive, but you will be able to drive longer between oil changes--5,000 miles for a standard oil change vs. 7,000 to 10,000 miles for a premium--and the premium oil can make a positive difference during major repairs.