In more than 30 years in the automotive industry supplying original and repair parts for auto lifts across the country, I’ve learned a few things about basic auto maintenance, but the most important thing I’ve learned is that most people don’t know jack about their cars, and really don’t want to pretend they’re a mechanic in any way, shape or form. 

If you’re one of those people, it still pays to know some basic strategies on how to take care of your car or truck. So here are five habits every car owner should have. Even if you’re not a mechanic, developing these habits can save you a lot of trouble in the long run. 

5) Keep your tires properly inflated, and rotated

Never underestimate the value of properly inflated tires. Your vehicle will drive better in all road conditions and get better gas mileage too. If you know how to inflate your tires, you know it’s not that hard to read the raised letters on the side of your tires to learn the proper PSI (Pounds per Square Inch). If you don’t know how to inflate your tires, ask your local service station for help. But make sure to keep all four tires evenly inflated, which means you should check them at least every other week. Every 5000 miles or so, have your service station rotate your tires. They have an auto lift and can raise your car up to look at tire wear to see how your tire inflation and wheel alignment are doing. 

4) Keep your headlights in shape

You should keep a couple spare headlight bulbs in your glove box in case one of your headlights goes out. Headlight bulbs are not expensive for the most part and are quick to replace. It’s not that hard to learn but if you don’t want to do it yourself, a service station can usually change a light bulb for you in under five minutes. If your headlights get clouded over with age, it’s possible to fix them without buying a whole new headlight. 3M makes a kit for $20 that can clear up dull headlights, which are really dangerous because they reduce visibility and make it difficult to drive at night. A little precaution can save you major damage and prolong the life of your vehicle. 

3) Wash your car

Until the automotive industry comes out with paint finishes that are matte, completely rustproof, scratchproof and impervious to salt, you need to wash your car once in a while. Yes, washing your car is a good habit to have! Even if you just slide $2.00 into the dollar changer and use those quarters to turn the spray gun on your vehicle, getting the dirt and grime off saves the finish of your vehicle and helps prevent rust and paint damage and abrasion. Here’s a hint: you can actually save your tires if you use water to hose ice off the wheel wells. 

2) Have brakes, brake fluid and steering fluids checked

Your brakes, of course, are life-saving devices and must be operating at peak efficiency if you want to be truly safe on the road. Ask your mechanic to check brake fluid levels regularly and make sure they are adequate. Have your mechanic put your car up on a lift to check brakes and brake pads, and replace as necessary. These have no set "lifespan," since driving habits and road conditions affect their wear-and-tear. Signs that your brakes need repair include "grabbing," vibration, or noise when you push down the brake pedal. Suspected faulty brakes must be checked immediately because they never, ever improve performance on their own. Finally, have your steering fluids checked as well each year. It’s never a good thing when those levels drop too low. 

1) Check oil levels and change oil regularly

With all the oil change options in the world, there’s no excuse for not changing your oil every 7500 kilometers or so, or as recommended in your vehicle’s service manual. In terms of priorities on the 5 Habits Every Car Owner Should Have, changing your oil is really the most important. Experts are now advising that regular oil changes should be done based on the manufacturer's recommendation for your model and make of car. If you want to know how to check the oil level yourself, park the car on a level surface, lift the hood and find the dipstick that usually has a little oil can symbol on it, wipe it clean with a paper towel or clean cloth, and then return it to the oil tube. When you pull it out again, you can see the oil level on the dipstick. There are a couple lines on the dipstick that tell you the acceptable range. But never overfill your oil, which actually damages the engine.

About the author:

Doug Climenhaga is president of SVI International, Inc., a leading supplier of parts for industrial lift equipment. With more than 20 years experience in the hydraulic and automotive lift industries, he holds two patents and has designed scores of problem-solving products. But he also knows that no everyone is mechanical.