There are some basic car maintenance tips from a wrecker (tow truck) to keep your vehicle on the road and in good working order. Failure to maintain your car or truck will have you breaking down and needing a wrecker service for a tow. It is worth it to spend some time on each of these areas to potentially avoid disastrous and expensive consequences.

First and foremost the number one tool you have at your disposal is the owner’s manual of your vehicle. A lot people think that the most important piece of equipment is located under the hood of your vehicle, but it is actually located in your vehicles glove compartment. The owner’s manual has all kinds of information that is directly related to your exact model of vehicle. There is a wealth of information in there. Anything from an error code on your dashboard lighting up to the amount of air that should be in your tires is located in the owner’s manual.

Engine Oil – Without It, You’ll Break Down & Need A Wrecker!

Next it is a good idea to keep up with changing your oil. For a long time auto shops would tell their customers that it is essential to change your oil every 3,000 miles or once every three months. Most vehicles can go longer then that before needing an oil change. The average vehicle can go 5,000 miles, or once every 5 months before needing an oil change. Again, the most important tool in your vehicle, the owner’s manual, will tell you exactly how often your specific vehicle should have its oil changed.

Oil, It’s Your Vehicles Lifeline

If you happen to be spending a lot of time in stop and go traffic, it is best to err on the side of caution and bring your vehicle in for an oil change sooner. It is also wise to check the oil level yourself from time to time. This way you can see if you may have a leak or other problem forming. Your owner’s manual will explain how to do this or you can always look online and find a video that will show you how to check your oil on your own. While in for an oil change it is a good idea to have the mechanic also look at your engines air filter.

The owner’s manual will give you a good idea of how often the air filter should be replaced. If you happen to drive in rough conditions, or live off a dirt road, it is a good idea to replace your engines air filter more often. These conditions can quickly clog up your engines air filter. Maintaining the cleanliness of your engine can save you thousands of dollars down the road.

Know A Good Wrecker Service OR Check Engine Coolant Weekly

Another good maintenance tip to keep you from needing a wrecker service is to make sure you fill up on engine coolant. Engine coolant is a fluid substance that keeps your vehicles engine from melting down from the excessive heat that occurs while it is in use. The little icon on the dash of your vehicle with the hot and cold image shows you the temperature of your engine coolant. If you do not realize you have a leak in your engine coolant then the needle will begin to rise to the red on your temperature gauge.

An easy way to spot a possible leak is to check under your vehicle sporadically to make sure you do not see any fluids leaking onto the ground. Note, it’s normal for fluid (condensation) to leak from around your AC near firewall. Coolant has a very distinct smell.

Hot Houston Weather Means Overheating Vehicles

Check the reservoir under the radiator cap because the hot Houston weather means more overheated vehicles. If it looks low you can add 50/50 coolant. You can find 50/50 coolant at any auto supply store and at most gas stations. Be careful though; never open the radiator cap when the car is still hot. The fluid can shoot up and scald you, blind you and leave burns on your body.

Pro tip, never add water or coolant to your vehicle immediately after the vehicle has overheated. Doing so can crack the engine block and you’ll need a lot more than a wrecker service, you’ll need a junk yard! It’s best to wait at least 30 minutes before adding any fluid to an engine that has overheated.

Check Tire Pressure

The number one need for a wrecker service is flat tires or blown out tires. It is imperative to check your tire pressure. You can find the amount your tires require in the owner’s manual or stamped into the side of your tire. Most people do not realize how improper tire pressure impacts the whole functioning of the vehicle.

Low tire pressure leads to your tires getting worn out faster, causing you to need to replace them sooner. Low tire pressure can also lead to low gas mileage, which over time costs you more money.

On the other hand, over inflated tires can cause the potential of a blowout and no one wants to experience that while out on the roads. Furthermore, you should make sure you have your tires rotated regularly.

If you neglect rotating your tires, the treads on them can wear down and you can get what is called “bald spots” on your tires. This leads to many blowouts. Rotating your tires regularly ensures that they get even wear and extends the life of your tires exponentially.

Slow Cranking Is a Sign of a Weak Car Battery Or Faulty Alternator

Make sure to check your battery periodically to prevent from needing a jump start from a wrecker towing service. Most auto shops or auto supply stores can check your battery for you at minimal to no charge. It is well worth the time to get your battery checked. Dead batteries are the number one cause of a vehicle not starting and it is so easy to avoid. Most vehicles need a new battery every four to five years, so make sure you keep track of the age of your battery.

The easiest tip our wrecker service can suggest to maintain your vehicle is to change your windshield wipers frequently. The rubber on your wipers deteriorates after time, making your windshield wipers ineffective. Especially in hot climates like Texas, windshield wipers will need to be replaced more often. Luckily for the average car owner, windshield wipers are quite inexpensive. If you wait too long to replace them, you can find yourself at risk with your vision being impaired while driving.

Another great tip is to make sure you check on your vehicles timing belt. If this belt goes out on your vehicle it can cost a lot to replace. Furthermore if the timing belt blows other components in your vehicle can be damaged. It is best to consult your vehicles owners’ manual to check how often you should plan on replacing the timing belt. For most vehicles it is suggested to replace the belt after 60,000 miles.

Slow Down – Speeding Only Saves a Few Seconds & Is Dangerous

The last maintenance tip to keep your vehicle on the road costs nothing at all. The best tip we can give you is to change your driving habits. Most drivers do not realize that slowing down will save help save the overall life span of their vehicle. The faster you drive the more wear and tear is applied to your vehicle.

Slowing down to take speed bumps or make turns helps minimize damages to your vehicle. It is also advised to not peel out or to constantly be accelerating to weave in and out of traffic. All of these actions take their toll on your vehicle. Adhering to these maintenance tips can help you to avoid stress, wasting time, and costly repairs.