As a car owner, you know there are a number of tasks you need to complete to keep your vehicle running smoothly, like changing the oil and having the tires aligned. But there are also some little upkeep measures car owners frequently forget about. However, according to the auto repair experts at Stillwater Auto Clinic in Stillwater, MN, just because they’re small doesn’t make them any less important.

Here are three minor auto repair tasks all car owners need to remember to complete:

• Spark Plug Replacement: If a spark plug no longer fires at the right time or is totally dead, it will cause your engine to idle roughly, hesitate, or even surge. It will also lead to lost power in acceleration and poor fuel efficiency. Getting a worn-out spark plug replaced doesn’t cost much, and better still, it can spare you from the major repairs that will result from unburned gas being fed into the catalytic converter. It also prevents your vehicle from failing a state pollution test.
• Thermostat Replacement: The thermostat sensor detects when your engine gets too hot and ensures coolant is fed to it to maintain safe temperature levels. Neglecting to replace a failing thermostat may result in overheating, blowing a head gasket on the cylinders, or even damaging the engine itself. These will require pricey repairs, so get the thermostat checked and replaced if it’s no longer working as it should.
• Tire Pressure Maintenance: Maintaining tire pressure at the manufacturer’s prescribed levels helps your car get a good grip on any type of road while preventing damage to the wheel bearings and other moving parts. The vehicle’s suspension also works smoothly on properly inflated tires. For something you can do for a couple of minutes every few days or so, this task greatly benefits your safety and your vehicle’s performance. 

By remembering to complete these seemingly minor tasks, you’ll extend the life of your vehicle and save money. For quality auto repair services from a professional mechanic, visit Stillwater Auto Clinic. Give them a call at (651) 351-7188 or check out their website today.