Unfortunately, most of us don’t truly appreciate our cars until they break down and we have to find alternate transportation. But using a little common sense can help you to avoid major, more costly repairs by simply performing routine Chevy Cavalier maintenance on your vehicle. If you aren’t the most car savvy person, the following tips should help you get started on the road to properly maintaining your Chevy Cavalier, and keep you on the road for years to come.
1. Keep your windshield washer fluid reservoir full. This involves screwing off the cap and pouring windshield wiper fluid in the right spot. You can quickly check the fluid levels when filling up at the gas station. Try to replace your wiper blades every autumn. You should purchase new ones once a year anyway, so you may as well get them before winter sets in and you’re stuck trying to wipe away ice and sleet!
2. If you see any colored fluid leaking from your car, get it serviced immediately. A red fluid means that there is transmission fluid leaking from somewhere, possibly a head gasket. A dark brown or black fluid is an indicator of an oil leak, while a clear, oily fluid is probably brake fluid.
3. If you smell any peculiar odor coming from your car, take it to the nearest service station. Odors mean something inappropriate is going on under the hood of your car! Even though it could be nothing more serious than a bit of coolant burning itself off, there’s always the possibility of it being something more, such as electrical shorts.
4. Check your tires at least once a month. Inspect them thoroughly for cuts, bulges, nails or other foreign objects. Take your car to a service station once a month and have the pressure in your tires checked. This will generally cost less than five bucks, and could save you several hundred worth of new tires.
5. Every three months have your oil and oil filter changed. You can also ask that the mechanic perform an inspection at that time. Most will do so for a small fee. It’s worth it to pay a little extra if you have to and have this done. Be sure to have your battery checked, and have your air filter changed if it is dirty.
6. Last but not least, be sure that all your lights are clean and in working order, this includes your brake lights, turn signals and emergency flashers. You can perform this quick check while filling up your gas tank.
No matter how little you may know about car repair, a little routine Chevy Cavalier maintenance puts you in the driver’s seat. You’re more likely to discover a small problem before it becomes a dangerous, and costly, one.
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