It is important for car owners to have a basic understanding of car maintenance. This will help save you time and money in the long run because you can avoid certain repairs and keep your car in better shape. At Crossroads Ford Lincoln, we help teach our customers how they can take care of their vehicles and keep them out of the shop. In today’s blog post, our service department discusses a few essential car maintenance tips every car owner should know. 

Learn What Your Warning Lights Mean

It may seem surprising, but many drivers don’t know what most of their warning lights indicate. Modern cars have a variety of warning lights that will alert you to all sorts of potential problems, from engine trouble to brake failure. You need to know what these lights mean so you can take appropriate action. This will allow you to quickly respond to a warning light and avoid costly repairs. 

Check Your Tires

If you want your vehicle to run efficiently and have better fuel economy, checking your tires regularly is crucial. Both tire pressure and tread depth are key factors to improved fuel economy. These things are also essential for the safety of your vehicle and its passengers. Checking your tires is one of the easiest things to do as a car owner because it just requires an eye test. Your car may have a warning light that indicates when your tire pressure is low. However, you can see when your tires need air or if your tread has wear every time you walk out to your car. 

Replace the Air Filter

Air filters help make sure that your engine is getting the clean air it needs to ignite fuel. When that clean air becomes dirty, your engine starts to take in dirt, dust, and debris. These things will decrease fuel efficiency and damage components. An easy car maintenance exercise is to replace your air filter regularly and according to your manufacturer guidelines. 

Listen to Your Car

One of the most valuable car maintenance tools for any driver is their own ears. As you drive more and listen to your vehicle, you can become familiar with what sounds are normal and what sounds are out of the ordinary. Listening helps you notice when something has changed in your car and when it may need repairs. 

Change Your Oil Regularly

Oil is one of the most essential fluids in your vehicle. There is simply too much friction in your engine to neglect regular oil changes. Even if you are low on oil, getting an oil change is still important because it prevents particles and sludge from building up in your engine. 

Contact Crossroads Ford Lincoln for Car Maintenance Help

If you need car maintenance, Crossroads Ford Lincoln’s service department can work on a wide range of maintenance and repair issues. For more details on what we offer, give us a call at (502) 695-1990 or contact us online.