identifying auto issue by sound and feel

You know the drill: maintaining your car helps you avoid costly repairs in the future. Neglecting necessary maintenance items such as oil changes or brake pad replacements can wear out internal components or make your car unsafe to drive. However, some maintenance items serve another critical purpose: preventing problems that might leave you stranded on the side of the road.

While some of these problems might be relatively cheap to address, taking the appropriate maintenance steps can still save you money by allowing you to avoid the expense and inconvenience of a tow. If you usually only worry about the basics, check out these three extended maintenance tips that can save you from the frustration of a breakdown.

1. Test Your Battery

Car batteries don't last forever. The chemicals in the battery will begin to fail due to regular discharge and charge cycles, but numerous factors can influence their lifespan. Everything from sweltering summers to a broken battery strap can reduce your battery's practical life. Unfortunately, batteries don't always let you know when they're about to fail, and a dead battery will leave you stuck.

While you probably don't need to worry about a relatively new battery, you should consider testing your battery once its manufacturer warranty runs out. A battery test can help you understand if you'll need to replace your battery soon and may also detect other charging system problems. This information can allow you to take appropriate steps to avoid the dreaded *click-click-click* of a dead battery.

2. Learn About Your Tires

Your tires do more than almost any other component to keep you safe and secure on the road. You can repay the favor by learning about how your tires wear and how to stop trouble. The penny test is a straightforward way to determine your remaining tread life. In general, you want to see a healthy amount of tread remaining and even wear across the surface of your tire.

When you check the tread, be sure to also look for other problems. For example, uneven or unusual wear might indicate worn-out suspension components. You should also look for signs of sidewall damage (such as bubbling) since these can potentially make your tires unsafe. Making these simple checks every few weeks can help you avoid some severe trouble in the future.

3. Check Your Coolant

Overheating can leave you stranded and potentially cause thousands of dollars of engine damage. Your coolant is your first line of defense against overheating, and you should check it routinely. However, only check your coolant with a cold engine since hot coolant is under pressure and can cause serious injury.

Always top-up low coolant, but don't ignore this situation. Your car's cooling system is a closed-loop, so a substantial loss indicates a leak. By checking your coolant regularly, you can avoid damaging your engine and spot small leaks before they become critical problems. If you need help maintaining your vehicle, visit an auto shop, such as Grey Chevrolet Inc.