10 Maintenance Things Every Driver Should Know How To Do

A little maintenance here and there can create huge benefits in the future. Not only will your car perform better during your everyday drives in St. Louis and St. Charles, but your components will also last much longer than a car with no automotive maintenance schedule. And while there are plenty of tasks you can schedule at our service center, the team at Suntrup Automotive Group is here to guide you through 10 maintenance tasks that you should know how to do. Let’s take a look, and get even more service tips with us in St. Louis. 

Creating Your Automotive Maintenance Schedule

1. Know the Manual: Your owner’s manual contains a wealth of knowledge about your specific make and model, which is why it’s a good idea to browse through it – especially when you have questions about maintenance tasks.
2. Inspect the Vehicle: Get into the habit of checking your car visually every month. Most of the time, nothing will be abnormal when you inspect your vehicle. But, once you establish what is normal, spotting things like tire damage and leaks becomes much more obvious.
3. Check Your Tires: Stay on top of your tire air pressure. While many new cars come with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System, you can also invest in an inexpensive tire pressure gauge at our parts department. Then, check your tire tread for signs of wear and damage. You can check your tread depth with a tread gauge, a ruler, or even a penny!
4. Check the Engine Oil Level: Motor oil keeps your engine running smoothly, but oil changes over time. Use the oil dipstick to check the color, consistency, and scent of your oil. If it seems dark, thick, or burnt, it’s time for an oil change.
5. Check the Engine Coolant: Your owner’s manual will show you where the coolant is stored. Then, simply read the level and see if you need more. Your owner’s manual will also help you determine what type of coolant you need for any top offs.
6. Inspect the Engine Air Filter: The engine air filter keeps dirt and debris at bay. Check your air filter and be sure to replace it if it’s clogged.
7. Use the Right Fuel: What type of gas does your car need? Some high performance cars need to use high-octane premium fuel to avoid engine knocks, while others can opt for regular without issues.
8. Inspect Light Bulbs: Routinely check your light bulbs to ensure that you can see clearly when the night falls. Replace any burnt bulbs with fresh bulbs at our parts department.
9. Inspect the Windshield Wipers: Feel the rubber blade on your windshield wipers and clean them off if you notice dirt or debris. If you see cracking or splitting in the rubber, replace them immediately.
10. Keep Track of Maintenance: Keep track of your maintenance visits and your DIY tasks to stick with your automotive maintenance schedule. That way, you’ll remember the last time you got an oil change or replaced a tire.

Schedule Your Service at Suntrup Automotive Group

Are you due for an oil change or a tire rotation around Fenton? Feel feel to schedule your service online at Suntrup Automotive Group in St. Louis. You can also contact us with any questions about your automotive maintenance schedule, and our service center technicians would be happy to help.