10 tips to maintain your car and prevent accidents in Texas
Maintaining a car in good condition requires a lot of responsibility. Some people believe that to keep your car in good working order you need to have basic mechanical knowledge. However, the most important thing to ensure your car is well-kept is to frequently perform maintenance.
To increase the lifespan of your car, we’ll share a list of items that you should routinely check to make sure your car stays safe. After all, the proper maintenance of your car will help prevent accidents in Texas.
1. Check the oil and antifreeze
We recommend checking the level of oil and the antifreeze on a monthly basis, since missing these two additives can cause problems in the engine.
2. Change the air filter
The filter regulates air quality and helps prevent the entry of debris or particles. With a good air filter, you’ll improve fuel efficiency and help ensure the lifespan of your engine.
3. Make sure your tires are in good working order
Keeping your tires in good condition is an integral part of safe driving, so make it a habit to visually inspect your tires and check them every month. Don’t forget to carry a spare tire for any eventuality as well.
4. Check the internal and external lighting
Your vehicle’s lights should always work properly. At least once a month, turn on the headlights and check that both bulbs are working properly. Also, inspect the turn signals and parking lights, as well as the brake lights.
5. Check the condition of the oil filter
The oil in an engine has a lot of functions. For example, it lubricates, acts as a sealant against debris and cools the machine. Depending on your car and the type of oil you’re using, you’ll need to change the oil and filter approximately every three months.
6. Check the transmission fluid
Transmission fluid is a lubricant that helps keep all the moving parts inside your transmission working properly. Whether you drive an automatic or manual vehicle, it’s essential that you replace your transmission fluid whenever necessary to prevent transmission damage.
7. Inspect the shock absorbers
Your car’s shock absorbers work to control rebound and impact when your vehicle goes over bumps in the road. They’re an essential part of the steering system.
8. Replace the spark plugs
Your engine’s spark plugs ignite the mixture of gas and air that ultimately powers your car. If the spark plugs aren’t functioning 100%, your engine will lose power and won’t run at optimum capacity. Replace the spark plugs when you feel a decrease in your engine’s power.
9. Change the windshield wipers
Windshield wipers need to be replaced once a year. For the winter months, you should install winter wiper blades for optimum performance and to prevent accidents.
10. Verify the battery performance
A car’s battery is the most important part for proper functioning. It supplies large amounts of electrical current for the engine to start.
It’s important to note that extreme temperatures will certainly affect the performance of the battery. Be sure to perform periodic tests to ensure that it’s working properly.
Common car accidents with poorly maintained vehicles
Car maintenance is a serious and often overlooked issue. Studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that an average of 45,000 accidents a year are caused by vehicle malfunction. Many of them are due to poor maintenance by owners.
If you don’t want to become part of these statistics, here are some common types of car accidents that occur when vehicles don’t have a regular tune-up.
- Rear-end accidents
- Driver ran a red light due to brakes malfunctioning
- Crashes involving a left turn without a signal
- Parking lot accidents
What happens if you don’t perform preventive maintenance on your car?
Just like people, vehicles need routine health checks. When you take yours to an auto shop, professional mechanics will examine the fluid levels, the engine and the lighting, as well as repair or replace anything deemed damaged.
It can be easy to let preventive maintenance slide. However, routine tune-ups will ensure your vehicle’s stability and safety. At first glance, it may seem like a waste of time, but in the long run skipping maintenance will result in high repair costs and significant damage.
Lack of routine maintenance also decreases the expected lifespan of your car and increases the cost of ownership over time. Considering all this, it’s clear that ignoring preventive or routine maintenance isn’t a wise decision.
The purpose of a tune-up is to ensure that your car runs safely. As part of the process, mechanics will notice any issues and propose repairs that could save you money. Often small repair jobs minimize the possibility of having to pay for a complete replacement part.
Who should you call if you have a car accident due to a poorly maintained vehicle in Texas?
In cases where poor car maintenance plays a role in a fatal or serious injury-related accident, you should contact a Texas car accident lawyer to discuss your legal options.
If you were the victim of an accident of this nature, contact the attorneys at George Salinas Injury Lawyers. We know that a catastrophic accident can change your life, which is why we won’t stop fighting for your rights. Get in touch, so we can help guide you on the right legal path.
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