15 Car Maintenance Tips For First-Time Drivers

Getting behind the wheel for the first time is a great milestone, but owning a car also comes with its share of responsibilities. Proper maintenance is a must to ensure your safety and extend the lifespan of your vehicle.

It’s important to know how to check your own oil and other simple tasks like lubricating doors, trunk hinges, hood latches, etc.

1. Read Your Owner’s Manual

Your owner’s manual will tell you everything you need to know about your vehicle. It will include information like how to change the oil, what kind of fluids you need, and when to replace your car tires. It will also provide a recommended maintenance schedule and tips for driving your car safely.

It will also help you learn about your vehicle’s safety features, including how to use the turn signals and wipers, cruise control, hazard lights, and child safety locks. Knowing how to use these features can prevent accidents and injuries.

2. Inspect Your Brakes

Your brakes are one of the most important parts of your vehicle. They can save your life or the lives of others on the road if they are working properly. But, like any car part, they will eventually wear down.

The best way to ensure that your brakes are functioning correctly is to inspect them on a regular basis. This includes checking the brake fluid level and looking at the color of the brake fluid. It may be time to replace the brake fluid if it is dirty or low in quality.

3. Check Your Tires

Tires are the only thing connecting your vehicle to the road. As such, they’re vitally important for safe driving. When tires are worn out, they’re at risk of blowouts and don’t provide the same traction as newer tires.

Taking care of your tires isn’t just good for safety, it’s also good for your car’s gas mileage. Be sure to check your tire pressure regularly and keep a tire gauge in your vehicle. This is a quick and easy task that can save you a lot of money in the long run.

4. Inspect Your Lights

Obtaining a driver’s license is an exciting milestone in life, but it also comes with new responsibilities. These responsibilities include understanding how to properly care for your car and what to do if you see warning signs.

An important part of vehicle maintenance is making sure your lights are functioning correctly. Not only is a burnt-out light an inconvenience, but it can be a safety hazard for other drivers. Make sure to check your headlights, brake lights and turn signals at least once a month. This will help to avoid any costly tickets and keep you safe on the road.

5. Check Your Fluids

A car is a symphony of mechanical pieces that move under extreme temperatures and brute force. Car fluids provide lubrication for these moving pieces and help them operate smoothly.

If a warning light goes on or you notice a change in how your vehicle feels and sounds, don’t ignore it. Instead, pull over and have your vehicle inspected.

Checking your antifreeze, wiper and brake fluid levels isn’t difficult, and many cars have dipsticks that indicate their level. Knowing what these fluids are and what they do is important for every driver.

6. Check Your Tire Pressure

Many accidents are caused by underinflated tires, and it’s easy to forget to check yours. Invest in a tire pressure gauge and do it once a month.

Remove the dust caps on each tire’s valve stem (you’ll hear a hiss of air escape). Use your gauge to get a reading and compare it with your manufacturer-recommended pressure (you can find this on a label inside your driver’s doorjamb or in your owner’s manual).

If you need to, push in the center of the tire to release air until you reach the correct pressure. Then screw the cap back on and re-check your readings.

7. Check Your Tires for Signs of Wear

Many drivers take their tires for granted, and a tire failure can be incredibly dangerous. Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to check your tires for wear.

Your tires have grooves that evacuate water, ice, snow, rocks, and other debris so they can grip the road. If these grooves become worn down, it reduces the tire’s ability to channel water and increases the risk of hydroplaning.

You should also watch for sidewall problems like bulges and blisters, which may indicate that the tire has a slow leak or is ready to blow out.

8. Check Your Tires for Signs of Damage

New drivers usually focus on obeying the law and driving safely, but they must also be aware of what their vehicle needs. Whether it’s a warning light that comes on or something in the dashboard, don’t ignore any signs that your car might be having trouble.

Regularly checking your tires visually and with a tire gauge is essential for maintaining their integrity. Check for cuts or punctures, which weaken the tires and can cause blowouts. Also, check the tread depth using a coin or use a tire gauge to see how much tread is left.

9. Check Your Tires for Signs of Leaks

A new driver is often eager to get behind the wheel of a car, but it’s important for them to understand that they need to regularly inspect their vehicle. Educating themselves on how to check their fluids and tires can help them be prepared for any problems they might encounter on the road.

If your tire pressure sensor light comes on and you inflate the tire to the proper pressure but the sensor light returns a few days later, there may be a leak. You can locate the source of a leak by spraying soapy water around the tire and seeing where bubbles form.

10. Check Your Tire Pressure

One of the simplest ways to keep your car running smoothly is to check its tire pressure on a regular basis. This can be done with an air compressor at a gas station or your own home.

First, remove the dust caps from each tire’s valve stem. Then, use your tire gauge to measure the psi (you may hear a hiss of air). Compare this number with the manufacturer’s recommended pressure that is usually located on the driver’s door jamb or owner’s manual. Also, remember to check the front and rear tires separately.