Ram Dealers in Deming, NM Share Their Own Care Maintenance Checklist

 

One of your responsibilities as a car owner is to ensure your vehicle gets regular maintenance. It’s the only way to protect and make the most of your investment. However, car maintenance can be confusing even for experienced motorists because it involves a series of processes, each as important as the next. Ram dealers in Deming, NM share a short list of the things they check and fix in their cars during maintenance.

TIRES AND ALIGNMENT

Always check if your tires have enough pressure. The safe tire pressure for a standard sedan is 32 psi. You can increase it to 35 psi during summer to factor in excess heat. If your tires seem to lose pressure at different rates, odds are there’s a problem with the alignment. You may also notice your car drifting to one side when you’re driving on a straight path. You can fix alignment issues by adjusting the tie rod, which allows the steering wheel to control the front tires. Do this every 6,000 miles.

LIGHTS AND LAMPS

Dim or broken lights are a recipe for disaster. Imagine driving at night on a winding road and your headlights are either too dim or are broken–surely, you won’t be able to safely navigate sharp curves in the dark. It can be just as dangerous if any of your signal lights are faulty, as motorists behind you won’t be able to anticipate your next move. Therefore, you should always include your car’s lights and lamps in your car maintenance checklist to avoid accidents.

BRAKES (PADS, FLUID, AND ROTORS)

The brakes are among the first car parts to deteriorate as it deals with friction. Frequent abrupt brakes can cause the brake pads to thin out quickly. In addition, the brake pads lose their grip on the rotor over time, making it increasingly harder to bring your car to a stop. Check the pads and rotor for severe grooves and wear. Those are indicators that you need a new set. Also, if you’re exerting more force to push the brake pedal, it means the brake system is running low on brake fluid. Flush the old fluid and refill the tube with new fluid.

MOTOR OIL AND OTHER FLUIDS

Next in the list is motor oil. It lubricates engine parts, absorbs some of the excess heat, and transports particles into the drain. Unfortunately, after about 30,000 miles of non-stop driving, your car’s motor oil will become thick with debris and lose its lubricating property. Ram dealers in Deming, NM suggest replacing it with fresh motor oil at least every three months to restore your car engine’s declining performance. Other fluids, such as coolant, transmission fluid, and windshield cleaner also drop and may need replenishment.

BATTERY

Ever gotten stuck in the middle of nowhere because of a dead battery? That’s not a situation you want to be in, so ensure your battery is always fully charged and functioning before hitting the road. Clean its terminals with water and baking soda to remove corrosive substances. Tighten the hold-down to reduce the effect of vibration. You can wrap the battery with a heater during winter to keep the cold out.

A checklist helps you cover all aspects of your vehicle that need fixing or fine-tuning. It organizes the entire process, allowing you to set a precise budget. Yes, car maintenance can be expensive but it’s well worth it to keep your vehicle in tiptop shape. If you have neither the time nor the skill to perform it yourself, don’t hesitate to take your vehicle to a service center. Check out Viva CDJRF for more helpful tips.