All Car Owners Need to Know This!

When you own a car, there are responsibilities you automatically need to take on. Not knowing them can seriously damage your vehicle, cost you money, and make your life incredibly inconvenient. We know you don’t want that!

Urban Transit™ creates shop stools and other products for the garage to keep organized, but you need to know when to use the tools you have organized in your garage. These are things that every car owner should know – it’ll save you some grief!

How to Check Tire Pressure

Using a tire pressure gauge is ideal. However, if you do not have a tire pressure gauge, the quickest way to check your tire pressure would be to push down on your tire with your foot or hand. You’ll know there is enough air if there is a strong resistance. If there is weak resistance, odds are your tires need some air.

You should check your tire pressure before a long road trip or if you haven’t checked in a couple of weeks.

You may not need to put more air in your tires every month, but consistently keeping up with checking will give your car tires the best results and the longest life.

Rotating Your Tires

After six months, or around seven thousand miles, you should look into getting your tires rotated. Most automotive service centers offer this service and will handle it for you.

The purpose of rotating your tires is to reposition your tires for general maintenance and to give your tires more even wear and tear. In other words, depending on the position of your tires, they may all be getting worn down differently, and it is essential to even it out.

Oil Changes

Save yourself some grief, and get your oil changed every three thousand miles. If you have all the tools and are confident in your car maintenance abilities, save money and DIY.

However, plenty of people are unsure of the proper procedure, and there is no shame in getting it done for you!

No matter how you do it, just be sure to get it checked and changed. If you don’t, an array of issues can arise: friction between moving parts, rust and sludge build-up, and (if you wait too long) permanent engine damages.

Always Have Spare Tire

Most spare tires are kept in the trunk of a car – so look there first!

Having one and knowing where it is crucial because you never plan to get a flat tire. They always tend to happen at inconvenient times and when you are not expecting them. It is always best to prepare.

Also, keep a lug wrench and a jack in your car if you can – you’ll need them when changing the tire. If you don’t know how to change a tire, write down a phone number of a company or a friend that you know who could help if need be.

Are Your Breaks Making A Screeching Noise?

If so, they need some attention. The fix to this could be as simple as they need some grease. But, it also might be time for new ones.

This doesn’t happen often, but it does happen! Usually, only past ten thousand miles is when it may start to be an issue. So, if your car has more miles than that and is screeching a bit, it may be time to get the breaks checked!

Windshield Washer Fluid

If you're trying to use your wipers and washer fluid, but nothing is coming out, you need to refill it. And, it is so easy – anyone can do it.

First, pop the hood of your car. Then locate your hood rod, and secure it, so the hood doesn’t fall down on you.

Second, find the windshield wiper tank cap – it should say something similar to “Washer Fluid Only.” Take it off once you find it.

Lastly, all you have to do is fill up the tank. Be sure not to go past the fill line! Pop the cap back on, close the hood, and you will be ready to go!

If you are unsure where to get windshield washer fluid, try your local auto parts store – even some gas stations and grocery stores will carry it.

Battery Power

There are many different reasons why a battery could die. Perhaps it was because of the freezing cold weather, or maybe because you accidentally left your headlights on overnight. Whatever the reason, you need to charge it up again!

You can do this with jumper cables and another car. Pop the hoods of both cars and locate the battery terminals.

Be sure not to let any of the clamps touch! You’re going to attach the red clamp to the positive terminal of the dead battery and the red clamp on the other side to the positive terminal of the good battery. Then attach the black clamp to the good battery’s negative terminal and attach the other end to a random, unpainted piece of metal on the car. Do not attach it to the dead battery’s negative terminal!

After a few moments, try starting your car. If twenty minutes have gone by, and the car is still not stopping, you may have a more significant issue on your hands.

When removing the clamps, again, be sure not to let any of the clamps touch one another!

Obtain the Phone Number of Someone Who Can Help

Even jumping a car can be intimidating, so have a friend or mechanic’s number on hand!

If you are unsure what to do, you will be better off asking for help than damaging your car even more.

Keep an Emergency Roadside Kit in the Trunk

You never know when you will need something, so keep an emergency kit in the back of your car. Even if you don’t know how to use the tools, it is essential to have them – because someone else may know how to and could help!

Here are some essential items to have in your emergency kit:

Duct Tape: For minor fender benders, or small issues, duct tape can help you get from point A to point B.
Jumper Cables: For reviving a dead battery.
Tire Pressure Guage: If you struggle with determining if your tires need air.
Flashlight: Flashlights, such as Urban Transit’s Tactical Pick-Up Light, that offer high-quality LED illumination will allow any nighttime issues easier.
A Phone Number: Again, it is always better to ask for help if you are unsure than to cause more damage to your car. Find a good mechanic’s number, write it down, and keep it in your vehicle. If you get stuck in a place with bad service, you may not be able to google search for a number. Having it on hand can’t hurt!