National Car Care Month: 5 Tips for Caring for Your Car

As we close out National Car Care Month, now is the perfect time for you to give your car some extra attention. After the harsh winter months, it’s important to check in on your vehicle to see how it’s running and whether it needs some sprucing up! Believe it or not, basic maintenance can go a long way when it comes to the lifespan of your car, and it helps you avoid paying a fortune later on if something goes wrong.

In the last few years, studies show that many car owners are neglecting their cars, risking all sorts of problems, expenses, and stresses. In this article, we will explore five simple car care tips so you can get every mile out of your vehicle.

Tips On How To Take Care Of Your Car

1. Replace your tires. We cannot stress it enough: check your tires, especially after the winter months. Check the tire pressure and look for any other wear and tear to your tires. It’s also essential to have your wheels aligned at least once a year.
2. Change your oil. It can be easy to forget to check your oil, but it is of the utmost importance. We usually recommend oil changes every 5,000 to 7,000 miles, but timelines vary depending on your vehicle. Consult your owner’s manual to check the best timing for your car.
3. Check your brakes. You should also check your brakes regularly. Get your brakes checked when you get your oil changed, and make sure to inspect your brake’s rotors, linings, and drums.
4. Check your fluids. Regularly check your brake, transmission, power steering, coolant, and windshield washer fluid and refill them when needed. You don’t want to wait until you need one of these things to check because it could be too late by then.
5. Have a routine mechanic visit. While it can seem costly, getting your car checked up regularly by a professional is essential. Find someone you can trust and get routine checkups. Otherwise, you’ll most likely pay more down the line if something goes wrong.

Spring Car Care

Cleaning up your car can be part of your spring-cleaning routine. Give your vehicle a good washing or take it to a local car wash. Think of it as a bit of a spa day for your car. Washing your car can give it that new car feel as you drive away.

While it may feel like an extra chore, taking care of your car is a great act of self-care and can improve your sense of confidence overall. We tell ourselves and the world that we matter when we carve out time to care for our things, like our homes and cars. Think about how great it feels when someone gets into your vehicle, and it smells clean and fresh. Then as you begin driving, it runs smoothly, and everyone feels comfortable and safe. That represents you and how you show up in the world.

Contact Vehicles for Change

If you or someone you know would like to care for their old car by donating it to a family in need, Vehicles for Change would like to help make it as simple as possible. Just follow these three steps:

1. Fill out a donation form here or call 855-820-7990.
2. Schedule the pickup and prepare your vehicle.
3. Meet the tow truck on pickup day!

Vehicles for Change offers donors a much greater tax advantage than most vehicle donation programs. 99% of charities in the United States use donated vehicles for revenue only. We repair and refurbish donated vehicles to the best of our ability as our core strategy. Many donors can claim their cars’ total fair market value as their deduction if a family receives the vehicle. And with help from donors just like you, we’ve donated 7,500 cars to low-income families in need. By doing so, 75% of recipients have been able to get better jobs or earn higher wages, and 100% of recipients have been able to attend their children’s after-school activities. There is no telling how far your contribution could go.

If you’re unable to recycle your car by donating it at this time, consider making a one-time monetary contribution or on a recurring basis to support the work of Vehicles for Change by visiting our website.