Whilst I am by no means an expert, I have faced a few car issues in my day. As the proud owner of a second-hand car that is over a decade old, I have myself to blame for the amount of repairs I have had to have done. Despite my car’s age, I did not take regular preventative steps. Instead, I relied on consistent neglect and tough love to take care of my vehicle for the better part of five years.

I’m hoping to help you avoid the same headaches by telling you now: regular car maintenance is a crucial part of owning a car. Whilst you should always rely on the expert knowledge of a mechanic with an annual general service, the responsibility also falls on you to be observant of changes in the vehicle.

For example, you should regularly check your car fluids. Start with the coolant. That fluid basically keeps your engine cool, and keeping it topped up can save you from a costly car repair in the future. Also, replace your windshield wipers when you notice signs of wear and tear (this one I overlooked until it scratched up my windshield; never again). 

Most importantly: never ignore the grinding sound that might happen when you try to turn the key in the ignition. It would take my car several minutes of groaning until it would turn on. I figured that it didn’t matter as long as the car started. After being trapped in a car park and having to be towed to a mechanic close to Raceview, I discovered that cars shouldn’t make those noises. My car battery had a massive problem which I had been making worse with my own stubbornness. 

That’s really all that car maintenance involves: being alert for changes in the car and learning the small processes you can follow to give it some care. Whilst it can be tempting to avoid, it really is one of the best ways to avoid problems later on.