This post brought to you by Pep Boys and Techron. All opinions are 100% mine.
I have been a single mom for a lot of years. One of the many things I have had to learn to do for myself is basic car maintenance, along with figuring out how to work the DVD player and other fun things. Some of the lessons and things I have learned to do have not come easily. I actually once ruined a car engine by not having the oil changed frequently enough. That was one very costly lesson to learn, but I have come a very long way since then and am happy to share my tips for basic car maintenance.
Basic Car Maintenance for Women:
Change the oil. I just have to list this tip first, given my previous experience. most oil companies say to change the oil every 3,000 miles or three to six months regardless of what type of driving you do. At a minimum change your oil according to what is recommended in your vehicle handbook. Don’t change it according to the fuel light indicator, as it is not always accurate. Replacing the oil filter every time the oil is changed, is also highly recommended. Other fluids that should be checked regularly include: transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, windshield washer fluid, and coolant. If doing this yourself, be sure this is all done while your engine is cool.
Check tire air pressure regularly. Different tires should be inflated to different amounts of pressure so check with your mechanic or the owner’s manual that came with your car. Many gas stations offer free or almost free self service air machines. I personally visit my local mechanic where I purchased my tires. He’s always nice enough to do this for me for free. Keeping the right amount of pressure in your tires will make your ride smoother and help cut down on the amount of gas you use.
Familiarize yourself with your car’s manual. Make sure you know what your car’s warning lights and indicators all mean. Mark pages or take note of the inspection and replacement schedules for parts and fluids.
Wash your car regularly. This might seem very obvious, but I have personally been guilty in the past of not washing the car often enough. Bugs and bird droppings not dealt with in time can permanently damage your cars paint.
Use a fuel system cleaner such as Techron Fuel System Cleaner. Vehicles run best when they are clean and debris free and that includes your fuel system. The Techron Fuel System Cleaner is a complete fuel system cleaner is a treatment for gasoline powered passenger cars and light trucks and cleans the entire fuel system (fuel injectors, intake valves and combustion chambers) in just one tankful. Regularly using the Techron Fuel System Cleaner helps prevent against harmful sulfur components in gasoline that can attack the sensitive electronic fuel sending units on some vehicles.
I found Techron Feul System Cleaner at my local Pep Boys.
Here’s some of the perks of using Techron’s Fuel System Cleaner:
A Cleaner Engine: Techron® is proven to be effective at keeping your engine clean. The perk is maximum power, lower emissions and maximized fuel economy.
Maximum Power: In order for your engine to have it’s maximum power, your engine can’t have deposits that clog your valves and fuel injectors. Deposits rob your engine of power. So when you need that giddyup your vehicle is ready.
Lower Emissions: Engines are designed to run their very best when parts are kept clean. A dirty engine burns fuel less efficiently creating more tailpipe emissions than it should. Lower emissions means cleaner air for all of us.
Maximized Fuel Economy: A dirty engine can reduce the mileage you get from a tank of gas. A clean engine helps your vehicle’s gas fuel to air ration be the best it can be, so you can use every drop of expensive gasoline.
Stop into your local Pep Boys and pick up a bottle of Techron Fuel System Cleaner to give your fuel system the cleaning it needs. Find a Pep Boys Near You.
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This is an empowering post. Love it!
I don’t wash my car often enough, tho it does live in a garage.
We use the Techron Fuel Cleaner. It’s so easy to use!
I’m wondering if this is what they added last time I went. It did seem to run a bit better after.
All women should know the basics of car maintenance.
Love this post! I agree with the previous poster above me…every women should know all the basics! My hubby doesn’t have to help me with a whole lot when it comes to the car because I already know what to do. In fact, I probably know more than him! lol
I have a tire gauge I got 2 years at a blog get together and I use it all the time LOL!
I really need to get some of that Techron Fuel System Cleaner. There’s a Pep Boys just a few miles up the road I can get it from.
Great tips – we are pretty good about getting regular oil changes and scheduling our maintenance appointments at the necessary mileage increments – however, I really need to remember to check the tire pressure more often AND wash the car. 😀
I’m thankful for places like Pep Boys. I was stuck in a horrible storm and my wipers broke. They fixed it for me 🙂 I’m clueless how to change oil and things like that.