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If you decided to own a car then you probably know that it’s your obligation to maintain it in good condition. Not only for your safety but for the safety of the other drivers as well. Of course, I am not an expert to teach you how to do that, but in time  I’ve learned the basic car maintenance rules and I think it’s important that everybody knows them.

Since the cold season is already here, your car will need to be checked to see if everything is ok and that’s why I thought I would share some tips with you. Ready? Let’s do it!

Brakes are the center point of a car’s safety system and come in use on a regular basis. If not maintained timely and properly worn-out brakes can cause severe damage to the whole braking system. Same as the battery fluid, the brake fluids should be checked on a fortnight basis. According to experts, a break lasts around 25,000 to 50,000 miles (equals 40,000 to 80,000 kilometers) before it needs to be replaced, so keep that in mind and change them on time.

I didn’t know how important the tires are for a car until I had my first problem and I had to get my tires changed! Always check how used they are and change them if their expiration date is close or you feel it’s something wrong with them. Dry tires can cause a puncture or a tire to give in during a ride. You don’t want that, going 80 miles per hour on the highway. Also, check the profile of the tire. This is important when it rains.

The engine oil keeps the components of a car engine lubricated and keeps it safe from overheating. But the car engine oil tends to lose its lubrication after long use, and that is why it needs to be changed with a newer one. I made a habit of checking my car’s oil every week, that way I keep it under control and I don’t have any unpleasant surprises.

The battery is a very important part of the car and it needs to be checked regularly. You should always make sure that your battery’s fluid is always at the recommended level and you should clean the battery terminals on a quarterly basis, as the corroded and dirty terminals cause an early discharge and decrease battery life. You should always make sure that the battery is fully charged, especially if you’re planning to go on a long road.

Your suspension and steering make manoeuvering your car easy. The suspension keeps your car’s tires in proper contact with the road and your steering allows you to avoid dangerous situations as well as making safe lane changes and parking. This is key to safe driving and you should have your steering and suspension looked at every 10,000-15,000 kilometers.

Besides checking your car yourself from time to time, it’s always a good idea to let a specialist look at it! They know better what to look for and they also have the proper tools to check it more thoroughly.

Yes, sometimes cars get broken, it happens and you have to deal with it. What happens then? Well, you look for a good spare parts store that has the pieces you’re looking for and then you let a professional do it, especially if you’re not the handy type to do it yourself.

When my first car broke down, it couldn't be fixed anymore so I had to check the Mercedes Benz leasing offers and get a new one. My husband is a big Mercedes fan, so it was the right choice for our family of four. 

There you have it, people! Just a few tips that can help you maintain your car in top condition for this season and not only. If you have other tips that might be useful don’t forget to leave them in the comment section below.