Many times, when the subject of basic auto care comes up, people shy away from the issue thinking that one needs to have some knowledge on mechanics. This is because the prevailing sentiment of many Americans is that learning how to perform even the most basic auto care requires some kind of in depth knowledge of all things vehicular. As a result, lots of people take their cars to mechanics to handle even the easiest of auto care chores.

Instead, it is totally possible for you to handle all of your own basic auto care. Sure, it may be easier (and in some cases, even cheaper) to take your car to a Jiffy Lube or similar service for routine oil changes, but everyone should know how to monitor their own oil levels. In fact, it is recommended that you check your oil level every time you fill up your gas tank! Think back to the last time you checked your oil level, chances are, it was not the last time you put gas in it.

To be sure, monitoring the oil level of your car is one of the easiest components of simple auto care. All you have to do is pop the hood, unscrew the dipstick on the cap of the oil container, wipe it off, put the dipstick back in and see if the oil level is between the two lines on the metal shaft. Then, if the oil is too low, you can buy a bottle of fresh oil for less than $10 and fill it back up to the optimum level. It is really, really easy once you know how to do it.

Keeping an eye on the status of your tires is also a crucial part of simple auto care. To see if your tires are too bald for safe driving, all you need is a penny. Place the penny into the grooves with Lincolns head facing down, and make sure that his head is at least partially eclipsed by the rubber. If not, you are probably due for a new set of tires.

To keep your tires looking as good as new, you might want to polish them with some auto care sprays or liquids. They come in a variety of finishes, including powder coat, natural and clear coat. This part of auto care will not take a long time, but will keep your ride looking great.