Auto Repair Shop Tips: Easy DIY Maintenance For Your Car Part 1

It’s important to keep your car maintained properly to avoid future problems and costly repairs that may have your car out of commission for a while. Proper car maintenance not only keeps your car in shape it is also important for your personal safety as well as the safety of your passengers and fellow drivers you share the road with. Here are some easy DIY Car Maintenance tips to help keep your car running smoothly.

Replace Windshield Wipers

Especially in the Seattle, WA region you want to make sure your windshield wipers are always in working order. Don’t let the problem linger if your wiper blades aren’t working like they used to. Worn out or otherwise damaged windshield wiper blades can reduce visibility during rain or snow. Inspecting your windshield wiper blades regularly and replacing them as needed helps keep you and your car safe. An easy trick to tell when your blades need to be replaced is press the washer button from the driver’s seat and see if your blades can wipe the window clean. If the blades leave a streak then they need replacing. Various auto parts stores will have economy blades, but make sure to go with a name brand, their higher-quality rubber wipes better, has better UV protection and will last longer. Blades install differently depending on your model vehicle and blade purchase. Follow the instructions on the package and make sure you have a good grip on the arm when you remove the old wiper blade. It can hit the windshield with enough force to crack it if not properly handled while there is no blade on it.

Inspect and Maintain Tires

There are a number of ways to make sure your tires are still roadworthy. Knowing and maintaining your car’s tire pressure can assist in reducing wear on the tires and leads to better gas mileage. If your car is newer it might indicate for you on a display dash when a tire pressure is too low or high, so don’t delay when you get the pressure warning! Many gas stations have self service pumps or you can buy a portable one to always have in your car. To find out the recommended tire pressure without a smart display, car manufacturers list it on a sticker inside the driver’s inside door jam. Note that the PSI may be different for front and rear tires. The recommended pressure will be in PSI or pound per square inch. Once you know the right PSI you can inflate or deflate the tires accordingly. A flat tire is a hazard that can be very dangerous for not only your car but you too. To help avoid a blowout, you should make sure you rotate your tires every 5,000 to 10,000 miles (as recommended) and watch for recalls. Another way to maintain your tires is to watch the tread depth. If you have your own tread depth gauge it is inexpensive and more accurate than any coin trick. The tread depth should be measured from 1 inch from each edge and from the depth of the center tread. The measurement should all be the same from all measuring points. If it is not, your car may be out of alignment and you should take it into an Auto Repair Shop for a service. If you don’t have a tread depth measurer we will be sure to let you know how much wear is on your tires and help you rotate if needed.

Wash Your Car

​​In the Seattle, WA region our cars are subjected to all sorts of elements, from road ice melt used in the wintertime, to sap and pollen in the spring, to fire ash in the summer and bird droppings potentially all year long depending on where you park your car. While they all are unsightly, they are also hazardous causing damage to the exterior paint and your vehicle’s undercarriage. Keeping your car clean on the outside can help mitigate the wear of your paint and potentially any long term damage. Make sure to regularly wash your car to help maintain it for miles to come.

Huletz Auto Electric can help you with any of these or other maintenance issues if you don’t want to do them yourself! We can inspect, tune up, and repair your car at our auto repair shop.

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