Sure, shopping around for and buying cars is such a fun part of it and all we really want to do is drive around in it and show it off to anyone and everyone. However, if you really want to be a good car owner, then you must keep up on its regular maintenance. Life truly is about the little things and when it pertains to cars, it really is the little things that count. Most basic car care tips only require a few minutes of your time so to save money in the long run, it really is well worth it. If you do not maintain your now you will surely end up paying for it in the long run.



One of the most basic car care tips I can give you is to set up a maintenance schedule and stick to it. This is absolutely necessary if you want to keep your car out of the shop and the money in your pocket. It is so easy to set up a checklist of things that need to be maintained and then divide it into timelines so you know when each one needs to be done. Some things you can take control of and start setting up interval maintenance for are replacing a PCV valve, cleaning your ABS wheel sensors, learning how to prevent corrosion in electrical connections, and replacing your fuel filter.

One of the best things to start with when learning to handle your own car care, is changing your own oil. Oil should typically be changed every 3000 miles and it is much easier to do yourself then you may think. For an oil change, you will need a ratchet or open end wrench, and oil filter wrench, a container to catch the oil, funnel, new oil filter, new oil and a clean rag. After you are sure that you have everything you need the first step is to drain all of the old oil out of the car. Be sure to catch all of the old oil so you can recycle it and it is not completely wasted. Once you have done this, you can remove the old oil filter and replace it with your new one. Then you are ready to cap it, fill it up with the new oil and check the oil level when you have finished. If you are unsure about how to change your oil, it is best to consult your car care manual or do some research online to ensure that you do not damage your vehicle.