3 Important Maintenance Services Drivers Often Forget

Life gets busy, and many people can forget about some car maintenance services. Unfortunately, the real world doesn't accept excuses. If you overlook the following three important maintenance services, you could find yourself facing a dangerous driving situation.

Checking Tire Pressure

Even if you recently had new tires put on your car, you should still check the tire pressure seasonally. As temperatures change, the air pressure in your tires may rise or fall. Cooler temperatures cause air to contract, so your tires usually need some air during the fall or winter. Hot temperatures cause air to expand, and you might need to release a little pressure during the spring or summer.

Whatever you do, go beyond a simple visual inspection. Use a tire pressure gauge for an accurate reading. This tire pressure check is especially important if you have radial tires, since these tires can often keep their shape even when the pressure is too high or low.

If you find remembering to make this simple maintenance service difficult, make a note on your calendar around seasonal changes. Also, keep in mind that not all tires need the same amount of pressure. Check your owner's manual to decide what amount is perfect for your tires.

Replacing Windshield Wipers

Your windshield wipers experience a great deal of stress throughout the year. During summer, they're pelted with the sun's hot rays. During the winter, they have almost no protection from cooler temperatures. If you drive to an area that receives snow and ice regularly, then your windshield wipers also have to tolerate those harsh conditions.

All that stress means that your windshield wipers cannot last forever. In fact, they probably can't last a full year. At first, small tears in the rubber will make cleaning your windshield difficult for your wiper blades. You'll get many streaks that can making seeing the road difficult. Eventually, your windshield wiper blades could start to crack and fall apart.

Since windshield wipers are an important safety feature, you want to make sure that you replace your windshield wipers before they stop working. Of course, some drivers may never think about them until they notice problems. As long as you replace the wiper blades immediately after you notice poor performance, then you'll stay safe on the road.

Refilling the Windshield Wiper Reservoir

Since your car's windshield wiper reservoir is hidden under the hood, you may not likely think about fluid levels all the time. Does the first time you think about your windshield wiper fluid happen on the day that an inadequate amount barely splashes your windshield?

If you're not able to wipe dirt or mud off the glass, or if your view of the road is even slightly obscured, your windshield wipers aren't doing their job for you.

Many mechanics will check your windshield wiper fluid when they change your oil. If your mechanic does not, take a look under the hood every few months to check the fluid level.

As long as you give these above three issues reasonable attention, you can enjoy a safer drive on the road. If you fear you'll forget, add these maintenance tasks to your calendar or schedule a notification on your phone. Keep your vehicle properly maintained, and you should have no trouble reaching all your destinations safely.