An important responsibility of vehicle ownership is making sure that you follow a routine maintenance schedule.  Items such as oil changes, brake repairs, tire rotations, and other miscellaneous inspections to your engine components are vital to the longevity of your vehicle.  Most vehicle owners use a trusted mechanic for this type of ongoing maintenance.  However, there are many small, simple maintenance tasks that you can perform on your own.  And they don’t take very long to complete!

If you are up to the challenge, we share five easy, quick, and important maintenance tasks in this month’s blog that you can do today.  Not only will you feel a greater sense of accomplishment, but you may also save some money in the end.

Before you begin any of these tasks, make sure to grab your vehicle owner’s manual.  While many maintenance tasks are similar, there are differences based upon the year, make, and model of a vehicle.  If you are replacing any components, you will also want to use genuine parts or aftermarket parts that are compatible and high quality.

Note:  Always perform any vehicle maintenance with your safety in mind.  This means having the proper tools, safety equipment, or taking specific precautions to remove dangers. 

#1 Replace Cabin Air Filter

The cabin air filter is like the filters you may use in your home HVAC system.  They are designed to filter out pollutants, smells, and dirt that may enter the cabin through the engine.  Over time, the filter will hold dirt, pollen, and dust and not work as effectively at keeping the cabin air fresh and clean.  Clogged filters prevent the air from blowing into the cabin and may even become a safety hazard if there is not free flow of moving air.  Check your vehicle owner’s manual, but in most newer vehicles, the cabin air filter is easily accessed through the glove compartment.  You can even search online for a video that is specific to your vehicle year, make, and model that demonstrates how to remove the old filter and replace it.  This is a very simple task and may only require a screwdriver to assist.

Time to Complete:  10-15 minutes

Tools needed:  Screwdriver, Pliers, Flashlight, Cabin Air Filter

#2 Window Track Lubrication

Your vehicle side windows are set in a track that helps them move up and down.  Sometimes water or dirt can get on the tracks and prevent a smooth movement for the glass as it goes up or down.  To restore better movement, all you need to do is lubricate the tracks.  Purchase a silicone lubricant spray (preferably a dry type, as grease may attract more dirt).  Using the nozzle attachment, spray along the front and back of the tracks.  After spraying the lubricant, lower and raise the windows several times to spread it along the track.  If any excess spray leaks from the track to the window, simply wipe off with a paper towel and some glass cleaner.

Time to Complete:  10 minutes

Tools needed:  Lubricant Spray, Paper Towles, Glass Cleaner

#3 Replace Wiper Blades

Your windshield wiper blades are not designed to last forever.  Over time, they crack and tear from the temperatures, the sun, and just regular use.  You can tell if your wiper blades need replacement if they create a lot of streaking when in motion on the windshield.  When purchasing replacement blades, make sure to confirm the right size and type for your vehicle.  It is also advisable to purchase name brands because they are better quality and will last longer.  When removing the old blades, make sure to prevent the wiper arm from collapsing back onto the windshield, this could easily damage it if it hits the glass.  Follow all instructions on the package, online, or in your owner’s manual.  If you have rear-window blades, make sure to replace them at the same time.

Time to Complete:  10-15 minutes

Tools needed:  Wiper Blades

#4 Replace Engine Air Filter

The engine air filter is different from the cabin filter.  The engine air filter is located under the hood, and it is designed to keep dirt, dust, and other materials from entering the engine.  Check with your owner’s manual for removing and replacing the filter, but it is generally easily accessible and removed by unclipping or unscrewing the retainer and pulling the filter out.  A test to see if it should be replaced is to place a bright light under the filter.  If the light is blocked significantly by the filter, this means there’s a lot of accumulated dirt and it should be replaced.  Provide the vehicle information to your auto shop to ensure you are purchasing the right filter.

Time to Complete:  15 minutes

Tools needed:  Screwdriver, Pliers, Flashlight, Air Filter

#5 Clean Battery Terminals

If you have ever noticed the cable connections to your vehicle’s battery, they may sometimes have a collection of whitish goop.  This is battery corrosion, and it is caused by a variety of factors.  Corrosion can be damaging to your battery, and so a simple clean is an easy way to remove the corrosion and maintain your battery health.  Because you are dealing with electricity, it is important to follow all safety guidelines for how you remove the terminals and using safety equipment for eye protection and rubber gloves.  You can also purchase terminal cleaner in your local auto shop or mix a solution of water and baking soda.  Battery cleaning is easy, but you must be careful, so make sure to view a video or tutorial on this task before doing it.

Time to Complete:  10-15 minutes

Tools needed:  Pliers or Wrench, Flashlight, Cleaning Solution, Safety goggles and gloves, Water, Toothbrush, Cloth Rag

Keeping your vehicle well maintained is an ongoing process of large and small maintenance tasks.  If you are not up to the challenge of handling some small tasks, give the professionals at Colonial Service Station and call and we can work with you to inspect, replace, or repair any items of concern.