Read Your Owner's Manual!

Regardless of the vehicle you drive, your regular maintenance schedule is inside it. You will discover how often your manufacturer really does suggest you change your oil, filters, any drive or timing belts in your vehicle, and more. You'll even find out whether you're putting the right gas or oil in your vehicle. If you're using the wrong oil or filling a car that calls for higher octane fuel, you may run the risk of voiding your warranty or even causing damage that will cost more to fix than you'd save by using the cheap oil or gas.

 

Check Your Fluids

You should learn how to check and/or change your antifreeze, power steering, coolant, or even your wiper fluid. In some cases, you can see the tank level directly, but most have gauges or dipsticks you can pull out to check current levels against a notch that indicates optimal levels. Even if your owner's manual doesn't have much to say about checking your transmission fluid or antifreeze, don't be afraid to open the hood and see if you can find it. If you're running low, add more or get it changed at your local auto repair shop. Most importantly, never ignore a leak.

 

Timing Belt Replacement

Your owner's manual will offer actual numbers for when you should have your timing belts checked and replaced. If you can't find the manual, feel free to contact Fremont Auto Tech and our mechanics will be glad to help you inspect the belts and let you know when it's time to replace them mileage-wise. If you wait and those belts do fail, you'll break down, and the damaged belt can damage other accessories, making the repair even more expensive.

 

Check Your Oil Regularly

Whether your car has a dipstick to check the oil's color and oil level or the dipstick has been replaced with an electronic gauge, you should know how to check it. Knowing the difference between clean and muddy oil will save you a ton of unnecessary changes, and it also tells you if something's wrong with your engine. It's hard to make a general recommendation for how frequently you should change your oil, but the answer is in your owner's manual. Don't just blindly follow the 3,000-mile myth—for most vehicles it can be as high as 10,000 miles, depending on the oil your vehicle calls for. 

​

Windshield Wiper Replacement

Don't wait until you can barely see through your windshield. Your visibility is important, and you wouldn't wait until you saw an optometrist to clean your glasses, would you? While you're at it, give your windshield a good cleaning inside and out—if it's hard to see, the problem may be inside, not out.

 

Engine Air Filter Replacement

Replacing your engine air filter regularly is important. Your owner's manual will give you a mileage estimate for how frequently you should replace your engine air filter, but if you can get to it, check it. If it's dirty, replace it at your local auto repair shop. If you drive a lot, especially in stop-and-go traffic, or have a long commute, your engine air filter may get dirtier faster than someone who drives open roads or only drives around on the weekends. If you need help or your owner's manual doesn't lay out exactly how to do it, feel free to call or stop by Fremont Auto Tech, and we will be happy to help!