Routine checks are the foundation of car care. Spending just 15-20 minutes per month is a small price to pay for your car's long-term health. Here are the most important DIY used car maintenance items you can check regularly.

1. Learn to Check the Fluids

Your car relies on fluids to function properly. Learning to check fluids is one of the very first steps you should learn if you want to know how your car is holding up. First, put your car on a flat surface and let it completely cool down.

Engine Oil

Engine oil lubricates the moving parts and helps keep your engine clean. Running low on oil could cause catastrophic damage to your engine.

How to Check: First, pull the dipstick out, wipe it clean with a rag, insert it back into the tube all the way, pull it back out. The oil level should rest between the 'Add' and 'Full' indications.
What to Look For: Typically, oil is a good/healthy amber color. Dark brown or black oil means it's time to change it. Milky oil or any foaming may be indicative of coolant mixing with your oil, and that requires a mechanic's attention immediately.

Coolant (Antifreeze)

Coolant is what keeps your engine from overheating in the summer or freezing in the winter.

How to Check: The translucent coolant reservoir is located in the engine compartment or accessory compartment. You will want to check the level without removing the cap. You want it to rest above the 'Min' line and below the 'Max' line.
What to Do: If it's below the 'Min' line, fill according to the owner's manual with the correct type of coolant. Never mix different coolants.

Brake Fluid and Power Steering Fluid

These are also hydraulic fluids that are safety- and control-related.

How to Check: Similar to coolant, they are in translucent reservoirs with a line indicating the level.
What to Do: You should be checking the levels once a month and adding fluids as needed using manufacturer-specific recommended fluids.

2. Take Command of Your Tire Health

Your tires are your only contact with the road. Keeping your tires in good condition is critical, contributing to your fuel economy, handling, and safety.

Tire Pressure

Incorrect pressure is a contributor to excess wear on tires, poor gas mileage, and a higher risk for blown tires.

How to Check: Unscrew the valve cap on a tire, and press a tire pressure gauge with pleasing firmness against the valve stem. Compare the vehicle's tire pressure reading to the recommended PSI (pounds per square inch) listed on the sticker (label) inside your driver's side door jamb.
When to Check: For the most accurate tire pressure reading, check the tires when they are "cold" (meaning you have not driven yet that day). If the tire's pressure is low, add air to it. Most gas stations have air compressors.

Tire Tread

Sufficient tread depth is very important for traction, especially in wet conditions.

How to Check: A simple way to check tire tread is with a penny. Place it in a tread groove with Lincoln's head upside down. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, the tread is worn down, and you will need new tires.

3. Examine Your Lights and Wipers

Visibility is non-negotiable for safe driving. This is a simple check that can be done with a friend.

How to Check Lights: Ask someone to stand outside the vehicle while you check the headlights (high beams and low beams), taillights, brake lights, and turn signals.
Wiper Blades: For wiper blades, check for cracks or stiffness. If your wiper blades leave streaks on your windshield or chatter when used, it is probably time for new wiper blades. This is inexpensive and an easy DIY task.

4. Listen and Look at Your Brakes

Although the full inspection of the brake system is a job for a professional, you can listen or look for signs that they may need to be replaced.

Listen for Noise: If you are applying your brakes and hear squeaking, grinding, or clicking, that is a good sign your brake pads or rotors need to be serviced.
Visual Check: For some, you will be able to see the brake pads by looking through the spokes. If the brake pads look very thin (less than one-quarter of an inch thick), you will want to have a mechanic check the brake pads. Brake pads are not something you want to put off. They will keep you safe.

5. Replace Your Filters

Your vehicle has several filters that help prevent contaminants out of important systems in your car. The most common filters to replace on your own include an engine air filter and a cabin air filter.

Engine Air Filter: This filter has the job of preventing dust, dirt, and debris from getting into your engine. If the filter is clogged, it can make your engine less responsive and consume more fuel.You want to check the engine air filter every six months and replace it as soon as it looks dirty.
Cabin Air Filter: This is a filter that cleans the air coming into the interior of the car. Replacing a cabin air filter that is dirty can improve the air quality inside of the vehicle and assist in the AC performance.

Take Care of Your Car and It Will Take Care of You

Following these top car maintenance tips can help keep your vehicle on the road for a long period of time, and avoid needless, expensive, and inconvenient repairs. By being involved in the care of your car, you will also have a better understanding of how your vehicle operates, and you will become more willing to possibly consider small issues in the future.

Make sure to add these washes and checks to your routine of things to check on a monthly basis. Put a small effort in now, and your used car can be a reliable and enjoyable mode of transportation for you and your family for a long time.

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