If you have a car, you will have to maintain it in order to keep it running smoothly and safely. You can save a lot of money over garage visits if you fix the minor problems in your car with some basic tools, if you possess some general knowledge about the vehicle. You cannot repair your car every time. There will be certain breakdowns that need professional assistance and handling. However, for other small issues, you should not run to the mechanic directly. Try to do it yourself, thereby curbing unnecessary expenses.

You can make some common repairs to your car just by reading the user manual of the vehicle. Everything is mentioned in the manual about the parts of the automobile and their uses. Simple tips to repair and maintain the condition of a car are provided as well. It is vital to keep the car's fluid levels up in order to prevent the engine from excessive heating. These fluid levels can be checked by looking at the gauges on the tanks or the dipsticks for engine coolants. You can add sufficient amount of required fluids to fix the low levels of engine oil, brake fluid as well as windshield washer fluid. If the tires do not contain enough air, you can inflate them to the necessary levels with the help of an air compressor. Otherwise, visit a gas station and make use of the air appliance available there.

Cars generally undergo a lot of electrical problems that are the most expensive to repair if you visit a professional. However, you can fix the condition by yourself, if the problem is not major. Sometimes, the fuse connected to certain important parts of the car gets detached from its original place due a jerk or bump. You can check for the fuse box, which is located under the hood or below the dashboard of the car in order to find the cause. It can be correctly fitted if you have a basic idea about the car or fixing a fuse. A blown fuse can be replaced and fixed in the same way. Keep in mind that the fuse used in replacement should be of the same size and color. You can identify a blown fuse by its discoloration. Such other electrical breakdowns can lead to incorrect data being displayed on the car's odometer or trip data display. In such a situation, you should record the faulty code displayed and search the internet for a root cause and a solution for it.

Simple regular maintenance is necessary for your car. This includes changing of the engine oil and rotation of the tires. Engine oil can be changed at regular intervals, depending upon the total distance you have covered by driving the car and the oil you use. Oil should be changed after completing a distance of 3000 to 6000 miles, which approximately means after a period of three to six months if you drive your car daily. The method for changing the engine oil and rotation of tires is mentioned in the user manual in detail.