Auto problems are never a pleasant experience, especially if they force you to call for roadside assistance. Maintaining your car’s engine is essential to making sure that you don’t end up stranded on the side of the road during your daily commute or while you’re traveling. While you’re probably aware of some essential auto maintenance steps, such as having your oil changed regularly, there are other steps you need to take care of throughout the year.

Your Basic Guide for Proper Auto Maintenance

Monthly

Performing quick inspections every 30 days can help keep you off the side of the road. Take some time to check the state of your tires, headlights, and taillights. Add window washer fluid as well.

Sweep out the interior of your car and remove any trash that’s been collected over the last month. This will help you make note of any floor mats that need to be replaced or any damage that your tires may have experienced. If your check engine light is on, take your car to your local mechanic to uncover any developing issues if they exist.

Every Three to Nine Months 

In addition to your monthly checks, check the transmission fluid, battery cables and connections, hoses, and power steering fluid every three months or so. Take your vehicle to a professional if you’d like to save some time and effort.

At around six months, check the engine air filter, exhaust, and radiator fluid.

Take this time to also replace the windshield wipers and inflate the tires if they need air. As temperatures fluctuate throughout the year, so will your tire’s air pressure. Maintaining the proper PSI (pounds per square inch) in your tires will help prevent blown tires.

At around nine months, or every 15,000 miles, you should examine your vehicle’s belts, fuel pump, and spark plugs. These parts are essential to starting your car and keeping it running. If a belt is ripped, replace it right away. If a spark plug is worn, change it. Taking the time to perform these checks can keep your wheels turning as you commute and travel.

Yearly

Once a year, schedule a time for your vehicle to be examined thoroughly by your mechanic. Request a tuneup and a check of the transmission, the brakes, rotors, and shock absorbers. Damage to these parts of your car is common in roadside assistance claims, and it can be prevented with proper preventive maintenance.

If it’s been several years since you’ve replaced your tires, ask your mechanic to inspect the tread still left and make a recommendation. If you need new tires, now would be an excellent time to invest.

Regular maintenance on your vehicle can help keep you safe and prevent accidents. But if you find yourself needing roadside assistance or towing, call the team at OHS Towing in Columbia Falls, MT. They offer 24-hour assistance throughout Flathead Valley and even have an on-site auto body repair shop. For more than 40 years, they’ve been an ASE-certified mechanic and offer the best customer service for anyone who needs assistance. To have your vehicle inspected, call (406) 892-1600, or visit them online for more information.