Having a vehicle is not just an amenity but rather a necessity these days. One cannot be expected to be mobile enough to achieve anything in life without having reliable transportation. This is why it is essential for you to keep up with your vehicle maintenance.
A vehicle that is neglected cannot be relied upon, which is why even if you are not a mechanically inclined person, you should at least pay attention to the following list.
The Exterior
The exterior or body of the vehicle is the most obvious way to tell if a vehicle has been cared for or not. However, not all kinds of damage can have the same implications. If the damage is just cosmetic, like dents or scrapes, sure, they do look bad, but they don’t affect the performance of your vehicle.
On the other hand, if your car has structural damage, it is surely time for a professional’s opinion. Similarly, if your windshield has a crack, it might not look that bad to you, but it can spread and leave you with a busted windshield.
Driving with a broken windshield can surely get you a ticket which is why it is best practice to get a windshield repair done as soon as you notice the tiniest of chips or cracks in your windshield.
The Drivetrain
The drivetrain is what keeps you moving on the road, and this is where most people neglect their vehicles the most. As everything related to your drivetrain is hidden, it gets overlooked easily because what’s out of sight is out of mind.
What you can do to mitigate or avoid such neglect is to check all your fluid levels frequently. If you notice any strange noise coming from your car, take it to a professional to have it looked over. A little bit of due diligence can save you from being stranded on the road.
Emissions
Your vehicle can be good to go in your eyes. However, there could be things hidden behind the
calm. A running and driving vehicle does not mean it is fit to be on the road. It needs to pass
emissions to be road worthy.
It is best to keep up with the maintenance of your vehicle so that your vehicle is able to pass all
the emissions and leave as little of an impact on the environment as possible.
The Tires
The tires are the most important part of a vehicle, but they are often the most neglected part as well. A tire is the only point of contact between your vehicle and the road, and that tiny patch of rubber can mean life or death for you.
Many people miss the subtle signs of a tire going bad because they just forget about them and never bother to check. A tire could be really old, dry rotted, or just out of round, and you wouldn’t know until it’s too late.This is why it is best practice to get your tires checked regularly, get them rotated and keep an eye on the air pressure.
