While it is important to take your vehicle to a car mechanic every so often to have it inspected for any problems, and to take it in for repairs when there are problems, there are things you can do yourself to keep your vehicle well-maintained. A vehicle that is looked after properly is going to have minimal issues, and you will be spending less money to keep your vehicle in proper running order. Here are some tips for basic car maintenance that every car owner should know.

Check The Tyres

It is important to rotate the tyres on your vehicle about every 8,000 km to prevent uneven wear. In addition to rotating tyres, you should also be checking the air pressure regularly (once every week or two is a good habit to get into) to make sure that the tyres are filled to the proper level. When the pressure is off, it can affect many things, including how the vehicle handles and how much petrol it burns. Another thing to check on the tyres is the tread depth. If the tread is wearing thin, it is time to get new tires.

Check The Engine Belts

When you check your tires, it is also a good time to open the bonnet and check the engine timing belt. These wear out over time, and need to be replaced. Belts usually need to be changed every year or so to ensure that your vehicle's engine is running properly.

Check The Oil

While you are checking the belts and tyres, take a look at the oil level. This should be done after the vehicle has been driving and then the motor has cooled down. Make sure you are parked on a level area. Remove the dipstick and clean it off. Slide it into the reservoir, bring it back out and look at the stick to read the oil level. If it is between "high" and "low" (the stick is usually marked with dots or an H and an L), there is no need to add oil. If it is below the "low" mark, top it up.

Check The Coolant

One last thing to check is the coolant level. Again, the engine must be cool in order to check this. If you don't know where the coolant reservoir is, check your owner's manual. Generally, it is located at one side of the engine, and it will be a white, somewhat opaque container. There will be "High" and "Low" indications on the container, and a good level will be between these markings.

For more information, talk to an auto specialist like Redhead Automotive Centre.