Car Care Tips From the Pros at ToyoTechs
ToyoTechs offers these car care tips to remind you to stick to a service schedule and gain a little more peace of mind driving especially during the winter months.
- Replace dirty filters, such as air, fuel and cabin. Clean filters help keep your engine running better and burns less gasoline. The cabin filter removes the road dirt and grime from entering into your breathing area.
- Change your oil and oil filter as specified in your manual — more often if your driving is mostly stop-and-go or consists of frequent short trips.
- The cooling system should be flushed and refilled as recommended. The level, condition, and concentration of the coolant should be checked periodically.
- The heater and defroster must be in good working condition for passenger comfort and driver visibility.
- Replace old wiper blades regularly. This is a must for seeing the road in rainy weather.
- Have your battery checked. The only accurate way to detect a weak battery is with professional equipment. The summer heat wears down your battery so it is more likely to fail in cold weather.
- Inspect all lights and bulbs. Replace burned out bulbs; periodically clean road grime from all lenses.
- Worn tires are dangerous in winter weather. Examine tires for remaining tread life, uneven wearing, and cupping; check the sidewalls for cuts and nicks. Check tire pressure once a month, letting the tires “cool down” before checking the pressure. Rotate as recommended. Don’t forget to check your spare, and be sure the jack is in good working condition. Under-inflated tires or poorly aligned wheels makes your engine work harder and thus use excess gasoline.
- Have your brakes checked periodically for safety and to prevent costly repairs that can be caused by neglect.
- Get transmission, brake and power steering flushes. These are part of a scheduled maintenance plan that are often neglected until a major failure. Routine checks and fluid flushes can prevent very costly repairs down the line.
- Always carry an emergency kit with you: extra gloves, blankets, flares, a flashlight and extra batteries, a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, jumper cables, a emergency poncho,a cell phone and car charger. Also keep water and a few “high-energy” snacks in your car.
- Emergency phone numbers should always be kept close by.
Regular, routine maintenance can help improve your gasoline mileage, reduce pollution, and catch minor problems before they become big headaches.
