regular maintenance checks for your car

There are many parts of your car that need to work in perfect harmony for your car to run efficiently. If the maintenance on one part is ignored, it can cause a ripple effect that will impact other parts of your car. While taking your car in to an auto shop for an inspection is a good start, it's not enough. Avoid making these two mistakes that can cause your car to malfunction.

Not Checking All Fluid Levels

Your car uses several fluids for it to properly run, such as coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and oil. Many people remember to check the oil, but they do not even consider checking the other fluids that are just as important.

Not having enough coolant will cause the engine to overheat, leading to engine issues that are costly to repair. A lack of transmission fluid will make an automatic transmission unable to switch gears. An oil leak that goes unnoticed can cause your entire engine to seize.

By checking these fluids regularly, you will make sure that the major parts of your car can operate properly.

Not Inflating Your Tires Properly

Having too much or too little air in your car's tires can cause some big problems if you are not careful.

Under inflation reduces the tread life of the tire, since more of the tire is physically touching the ground. It makes a tire more susceptible to a blowout due to an increase of the tire's internal heat from the added friction. The additional friction also has an impact on your car's fuel economy, cornering stability, and steering precision.

Over inflation makes a tire stiff and difficult to control, as there is a reduction in how much of the tire is in contact with the ground. The tire will be more susceptible to damage caused by debris and potholes in the road. Over inflated tires are also prone to blowouts, but for a different reason. As the air inside the tire expands due to the heat, the air has nowhere to go because the tire is over inflated. It can make a blowout more likely to happen on a long road trip when you are driving fast for an extended period of time. 

If your tire requires air pressure of 30psi, a difference that is as little as 6psi represents 20% of the recommended air pressure. It's enough to have a serious impact on your tires.

By watching for these two things, it should help prevent potential damage while also making your car safe to drive. If you still have the misfortune of damaging your vehicle, contact a repair service like Mid-Atlantic Muffler & Brake.