think your mechanic always has your back here's the truth there are some car maintenance tips they really don't want you to know why because these tips can save you hundreds maybe thousands in repairs and keep your car running like new for years in this video I'll share 13 surprising secrets that can completely change how you care for your car each tip Builds on the last but there's one in particular that left me rethinking everything I thought I knew about car maintenance it's something most drivers Overlook and it could be the difference between a reliable car
and a costly breakdown stay with me because once you hear it you'll never look at Car Care the same way again let's Dive Right In Secret number one reset the maintenance required light yourself let's talk about that maintenance required light it's not as scary as it looks looks these reminders pop up at predetermined mileage intervals often around every 15,000 M car manufacturers love them because they nudge you back into the dealership but here's the truth most of the time it's just a heads up for an oil change stay on top of your regular maintenance but
don't let this light send you into a panic instead look up how to reset it for your specific car model you'll save a trip to the dealer and keep more cash in your pocket similarly a check engine light doesn't have to mean a trip to the mechanic with an onboard diagnostics 2 scanner you can diagnose car issues yourself these handy tools cost around $30 to $40 and work with any vehicle built since 1996 plug it into your car's OBD2 port to identify the problem instantly saving time and avoiding unnecessary repair costs whether it's a minor
issue or something more serious an OBD2 scanner puts control back in your hands secret number two bleed the brake system during pad replacement when you're replacing your brake pads there's one step you don't want to skip opening the bleeder valve before compressing the caliper here's why forcing old brake fluid back into the system can Dam damage sensitive parts like the ABS module opening the valve lets you avoid that risk it also helps remove some of the old contaminated fluid at the same time that's a win for your brakes just remember don't let the master cylinder
run dry while you're at it secret number three don't waste your money on additives additives might sound like the magic potion your car never knew it needed but let's set the record straight for most gasoline engines us fuel already comes preloaded with all the additives and modern engine oils packed with high-tech chemicals straight from the factory save your money and stick to regular oil changes but here's the twist not all additives are a waste of money for diesel engines they're not just helpful they're essential diesel Specialists swear by them to prevent jelling boost cetane levels
and keep injectors clean this is especially true in cold weather for gas engines it's a bit different additives like Techron or seafoam can make a real difference for older vehicles or if you're stuck using lowquality fuel so while most cars can skip the magic potion hyp there are some exceptions diesel owners and drivers of older cars you might actually benefit it's all about knowing what your car really needs secret number four check the coolant level if your heater blows cold air if your car's heater is blowing cold air or just feels Loop War it's usually
because the coolant is low when there's not enough coolant the heater core produces Air instead of hot water and that air won't heat your car so if your heater isn't doing its job this winter check the cool coolant level top it off if needed and you might just fix the issue right there it's a simple trick that's helped many drivers stay warm on chilly mornings secret number five car batteries lose life just sitting on the shelf car batteries don't last forever even unused ones once they're filled with acid at the factory the clock starts ticking
before you buy always check the manufacturing date A good rule of thumb pick one less than a month old for the best performance skip big box stores where batteries might sit on shelves for ages instead buy from a reputable dealer who moves inventory quickly and here's a pro tip charge your new battery for one to 2 hours before installing it this wakes it up and ensures it's ready to go finally keep those terminals clean to maintain a solid connection secret number six squeeze more performance from your spark plugs spark plugs are small but essential for
igniting the air fuel mixture in your engine they're directly responsible for combustion which Powers your car modern plugs like aridium can last up to 100,000 mil but don't wait for that Milestone inspect them regularly here's how remove a plug and check for signs of trouble like a worn electrode or heavy carbon buildup these can cause misfires for acceleration or reduced fuel efficiency if your engine feels sluggish or struggles to start it's a sign they may need replacing always use the type specified in your owner's manual fresh spark plugs ensure efficient combustion better mileage smoother starts
and reduce the risk of engine damage down the line if you find these tips useful subscribe for more straight to the point car advice your support fuels this Channel and keeps the honest tips coming let's dive into the next one secret number seven stop overfilling the gas tank when you're at the pump squeezing that handle just a bit longer to get every last drop in can be tempting however overfilling can lead to fuel spills and damage your car's vapor recovery system gasoline Vapors are harmful to the environment and can escape if you overfill which is
wasteful and potentially damaging to your vehicle to avoid this simply stop filling when the nozzle clicks off automatically that's your sign that the tank is full secret number eight replace your air filters regularly a clogged air filter doesn't just sit there it holds your engine back hurting performance and wasting fuel checking it is quick and easy pop the hood locate the air filter box UNP it and take a look if the filter looks dirty or clogged swap it out for a fresh one replace it every 12,000 to 15,000 M for most driving conditions but if
you're often on Dusty roads or in polluted areas check it more often secret number nine check your PCV valve the PCV or positive crank case ventilation valve is small but vital it regulates harmful gases and prevents pressure buildup in your engine if it clogs or fails it can cause rough idling increased oil consumption or even engine sludge here's a simple hack check your PCV valve every 10,000 to 15,000 mil if it's clogged replacing it is simple and affordable usually $ 20 to $40 for the part not sure how how to inspect the PCV valve remove
the valve and give it a shake a healthy valve will rattle then try the airflow Test blow air through it it should only flow in One Direction if it flows both ways the valve is faulty and needs replacing for more helpful tips on spotting a faulty PCV valve watch the signs and symptoms of a bad PCV valve video secret number 10 change engine oil and transmission fluid on time if you're racking up serious miles every day your car needs extra care for engine oil stick to synthetic it's durable and handles the workload better change it
every 5,000 to 7,500 mil depending on how you drive if most of your miles are highway miles you might stretch it closer to 7,500 now for transmission fluid ID it's all about staying ahead of wear and tear most manufacturers recommend changing it every 30,000 to 60,000 mes but if you're in stopandgo traffic or driving heavy loads consider doing it sooner check your owner's manual for exact numbers and remember these regular changes keep your car shifting smoothly and running strong to be on the safe side check out the 17 costly oil change mistakes that ruin your
engine secret number 11 keep your tires at the right pressure tire pressure isn't just a minor detail it's crucial for safety performance and fuel savings most cars require between 28 and 36 PSI but guessing isn't good enough check your owner's manual or the sticker inside the driver's door for the exact number using a tire gauge monthly to check each tire including the spare is a smart habit did you know tires lose about 1 PSI per month that small drop won't trigger your warning light until it's too low underinflated tires waste fuel wear out faster and
can even lead to blowouts overinflated tires on the other hand lose grip and wear unevenly invest in tools like the tire tech tire pressure gauge or the as AI tire inflator to make maintenance simple want your tires to last longer rotate them every 5,000 to 8,000 M for more tips check out 17 car tire mistakes most people make and ensure you're getting the most out of your tires while staying safe on the road secret number 12 don't overlook brake fluid maintenance brake fluid doesn't get much attention but it should Ensure it's at the right level
and swap it out every 2 to 3 years over time brake fluid attracts moisture which can cause corrosion and make your brakes less effective a quick check now can save you a lot of trouble and money later secret number 13 check your belts and hoses for wear and tear serpentine belts are easy to find they're usually right at the front of your engine hose es run throughout the engine bay carrying coolant oil and other vital fluids here's the simple routine take a quick look every month or so check belts for cracks fraying or shiny spots
these are signs they're worn out for hoses look for bulges cracks or leaks run your hand along them when the engine is cool to feel for soft spots or damage if you notice any issues don't wait replacing a bad belt or hose now can save you from costly engine repairs later those are the essential car maintenance tips every owner should know following these practices isn't just good advice it's the best way to keep your car running longer and avoid costly repairs but there's more to learn check out my next video nine horrible driving habits that
ruin your engine trust me these are habits you don't want to get wrong
