2018 has arrived, so what better time to perform some basic car maintenance to get your vehicle ready to conquer the busy year ahead! We put together a quick checklist to go through to see if your car needs to be brought into the shop for some yearly maintenance.

Windshield Wipers

You should check your windshield wipers every 6 months to a year. Some tell-tale signs that your windshield wipers need replacing include leaving streaks or stripes and squeaking or scraping against your windshield.

Tire Pressure & Tread

Proper tire pressure is important because it gives you better handling on the road, improves your fuel economy, and prolongs the life of your tires. Ensure you don’t have under or over-inflated tires by checking the inside door frame of the driver’s side door for a plate, which tells you the kind of tires you should have and the proper tire pressure.

The tread of your tires is equally as important when it comes to tire maintenance. Proper tire tread is important for your road safety because it gives you optimal traction and a reduced risk of hydroplaning. You can easily check the tread of your tires by performing the “penny test.” Place a penny in several grooves of your tread, and if you continue to see the top of Lincoln’s head, your tires need to be replaced.

Brake Pads

There are two basic ways you can tell if you need new brake pads. The first is by listening. If you hear a high-pitched squeal everytime you brake, that is the indicator telling you to replace the brake pads. The second way is to look. If your brake pad is less than ¼ thick, then it’s also time to replace them.

Battery Check

Care for your car battery by cleaning the corrosion from the top of the battery and around the cables. It’s also important to tighten the cables to strengthen the charge, check the fluid levels, and look for any battery leaks.

Make sure your battery is all juiced up by testing the charge using a multimeter. A charge of 12.45 volts or greater represents a sufficient charge, anything lower and it’s time to recharge.

If you find anything wrong with your vehicle while going through the checklist, or need us to perform a maintenance check, give Warrenton Auto Service a call today!