Man working on car
Whether you drive a brand new BMW, a classic Mercedes, or a used Hummer H1, every vehicle requires regular, routine maintenance. Neglecting these periodic tasks can result in serious problems with your car's performance. However, not every bit of regularly scheduled maintenance requires a trip to your mechanic. At Benzin Motor Works, we're happy to provide any service to your BMW, Mercedes, or Hummer H1 that you need, but we also know that there are some tasks you're capable of handling yourself. And, in some cases, those can be very rewarding. Here are a few do-it-yourself maintenance tips to perform on your own vehicle.
Wiper Blades
Changing your windshield wipers doesn't sound like a very exciting chore, but don't think it isn't an important one. If you've ever tried to drive in the rain with worn, or malfunctioning wipers, you understand how vital it is to keep them intact. In most cases, it's recommended that you change your blades every six months, but depending on the frequency of use and the quality of the blades, you may be able to get by for an entire year. It's easy to tell when the blades aren't as effective as they once were, so watch for the signs of water not being wiped away properly and be sure to change your blades soon after. The entire process should only take you 15 minutes or so.
Spare Tire
You likely already know the importance of periodically checking the pressure on your car's tires and inflating when necessary. It's easy to forget about the spare tire during these checks, however. The longer your spare is neglected and not needed, the higher the risk that it won't be properly inflated when you have a flat. Ideally, you'd check your spare as often as you check the rest of your tires, but realistically, you can probably get away with only checking it when the seasons and weather changes, which could cause a significant change in tire pressure.
Fluids
Most of us tend to concentrate on our engine's oil and whether or not it's time for an oil change. There are a number of fluids that also require attention under the hood, however. These range from something that's not vital, like windshield washer fluid, to something that's extremely vital, like antifreeze and brake fluid. Checking on these vital fluids periodically and topping them off as they get low is an easy task and fluids are fairly cheap. The alternative is to pay costly repair bills when the lack of sufficient fluids leads to serious damage to your vehicle. It's a good idea to check your fluids monthly, but for antifreeze, be sure to check your levels when the weather begins to get cold.
Battery
For many, actually replacing the battery in their vehicle is best left to a professional mechanic, who will ensure that everything is connected correctly and in working order before sending you on your way. But, there are other tasks related to battery maintenance that anyone can handle. Namely, it's a good idea to clean your battery regularly and remove any corrosion that has built up. As dirt, grime, and corrosion build up around your battery, they can interfere with the battery's connections. This could lead to the battery insufficiently charging your engine. Cleaning it is simple and can be done quickly with a wire brush.
Lights
The bulbs in your headlights, brake lights, taillights, and turn signals can all burn out like any light bulb in your home. When that happens, it's also almost as simple to replace them in many cases. Consult your owner's manual and be sure you get the correct bulb to replace the broken one. Then, it's just a matter of removing the plastic covering, which will also be covered in your manual. In some cars, getting to these bulbs requires more work and more parts removed. For those situations, it's usually best to let your mechanic handle it.
When your BMW, Mercedes, or Hummer H1 requires maintenance or repairs that you can't handle, call us at Benzin Motor Works for fast, expert service.