Three Things Every Car Owner Should Know

Many of us are owning a car we don’t know much about beyond how to drive it. As a responsible car owner, there are a few things we should all know, like how to react to an accident, some basic repairs and how to look after your vehicle. These are the top things that every driver should know. 

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Basic Maintenance

Knowing how to check and maintain your car yourself will make you a better car owner and help you avoid costly repairs. 

Know how to check your oil levels. This should be done weekly to make sure your engine is being lubricated and cooled properly. If the levels are low, learn how to properly top up the oil too. Remember to go slowly!

Know how to top up your windshield washer fluid so your wipers work effectively to keep your windshield clean and clear. While you’re learning about wipers, learn how to replace the blades too to avoid scratching your windshield. 

Learn how to check your tire pressure. Low tire pressure causes your tires to wear out faster, and a new tire is never cheap. Too much pressure can cause the tire to burst, so be careful. 

Learn some engine jargon, so you can accurately describe a problem to your mechanic, making it faster for them to find the cause. 

Accident Response

There are many guides to exactly what to do after a car accident. The important essentials to remember are to never leave the scene without stopping, to swap insurance details with any other parties, and how to seek help for any injuries or for legal help from someone like https://ericramoslaw.com/laredo/car-accident-lawyer/. 

Learn how to change a tire, so you can help yourself if you get a flat tire while driving. Practice a home, so you can do this quickly at the side of the road. 

Jump starting a car is a useful skill to have, but it’s important to know how to do this safely. If your car won’t start due to a flat battery, knowing how to get it started without calling out breakdown recovery could save you a lot of money. 

Driving Safety

Different road and weather conditions can make your car handle in very different ways. For your own safety, learn how to drive on a slippery road service, in the rain, in the snow and through flood water. Always drive carefully and don’t rely on four wheel drive to get through a difficult road. 

Know how to react if your car slides. Sometimes, your brakes can lock in difficult road conditions, causing the car to slide. Take your foot off the break, then slowly reapply it. Repeat until the wheels engage again and you have come to a stop. 

If you live somewhere that gets heavy snow or a lot of mud, learn how to get your car out if it gets stuck. You need to gain traction to get out, so whatever you do, don’t just put your foot down and expect to drive out.