Car Maintenance Tips Every Woman Should Know

Long, long ago (or so it seems now), drivers could wheel into a gas station and be greeted by a uniformed man who was actually smiling and who then asked, "Fill 'er up?" This event occurred because service was offered and these places were called Service Stations. These full service havens would fill up your gas tank, check the pressure in your tires, and even top off your oil if necessary. The gas and oil were all that you paid for.

That was back in the good old days. Many people today cannot remember a time when this type of service was offered. Since not every woman has a prince to rescue her from automotive woe, she should be armed with at least some level of automobile knowledge.

I drove a pretty sports car for about a year before meeting my husband. Being a gentleman, he offered to give my car the once-over to be sure it was in tip-top shape. He came to me quickly and asked how long it had been since I changed my oil. "What do you mean 'change the oil'?" I inquired. My oil never was changed; all I did was add oil when I needed it. When I finally had my oil changed after 25,000 miles, it was literally sludge when it was drained. Now I remember to change the oil on a regular basis. An easy way to remember when my oil needs to be changed is to go by holidays. Since I know I drive around 15,000 miles each year and should change the oil about every 5,000 miles, I change my oil around Easter, Labor Day, and Christmas.

In your glove box is one of your car's most important accessories: the owner's manual. It will explain all the lights and gauges and lay out everything you must know to keep your car in good working condition, so it is a good idea to become familiar with it. The section that is usually called "Maintenance Intervals" will tell you what you need to do and when to keep your car running smoothly. Such things as changing the air filter are not difficult to do and can be taken care of by the neighborhood service station. Manuals are full of useful information about proper tire pressure, the proper type of oil and antifreeze to use in your car, and tons of other useful information. Most owner manuals come with a maintenance log where you can keep track of everything that has been repaired/serviced on your vehicle.

It's important to know how to check your tires for air pressure and to add air if they need it. Make a note of where your spare tire and jack are kept, and learn to use them to change a flat tire. Although you may pay for roadside assistance, it is possible to get a flat tire in a remote area where cell phone service is unavailable. You should be cautious if someone offers to help you; he could be a Good Samaritan or he could be an unsavory character. One should at least know how to change a tire, if required.

Since it is possible that your battery may get drained, it is a good idea to carry a portable charger with you. Another car won't be necessary to help jumpstart your battery; besides, it is safer to use these chargers anyway.

You will find that brakes are equipped with a unique built in feature that allows you to quickly realize that they need service. When pads start to get seriously worn out, a little pin will emit a squeak. Don't put this repair on the back burner for long, because if the pads totally wear out and metal grinds against metal, it will be a far more expensive repair job.

Get the name of a really good mechanic so you have it on hand when you need one. Find a reliable repair shop now. It is good to be prepared in the event that your vehicle needs a repair that isn't covered by your warranty. When a repair is necessary, get recommendations from friends, family, or neighbors to increase the odds that you will be satisfied with the service. Until that happens, however, just practice preventive maintenance and you will be worry-free.

About the Author

Deloris Emmeries has learned many tips for car maintenance over the years. That’s probably because she married a smart mechanic who uses automotive shop management software. Deloris knows how to use the auto shop software and helps in the shop by printing out car repair estimates, and her husband knows how to fix the cars and does so quickly and carefully. Definitely a good combination.