Essential Vehicle Maintenance Must-Knows For New Drivers & Car Owners

After purchasing or learning to drive a car, you’ll realize that there are several things to know about a vehicle. In fact, they are endless. Learning about these things helps you properly maintain your vehicle and know when something is wrong.

Below, we share a list of some of the top essential must-knows for car owners and drivers.

1. Air Filter

The engine air filter is just that, a filter for the air entering the engine. Air is used to make combustion. However, you don’t want other particles entering the engine. So, the air filter takes care of this. But it needs to be changed often. 

Check your owner’s manual for a frequency schedule. The air filter is typically found right on top of the engine in older model vehicles or in a clamped airbox off to one side of the engine. Loosen the wingnut or unclamp the box. The filter will be right under the lid. If there is debris or the filter looks discoloured, replace it.

2. Cabin Filter

The cabin air filter is inside the vehicle. It’s got the same purpose as the other filter just discussed, except this one filters the air coming into the cabin. Older vehicles didn’t have cabin filters. New vehicles will have this filter behind the dash, often by or behind the glove box. Sometimes this is accessible under the dash. Other times, disconnecting the glove box door is necessary. Replace it as needed or required by your owner’s manual.   

3. Fuel Filter

The fuel filter is… a filter for the fuel system (surprise). The location of these filters varies. Some are located near the firewall. It will have a fuel line going in and another going out. Other vehicles will have an in-tank filter instead. If you’re not experienced, don’t work on the fuel filter by yourself. Have a qualified mechanic change these out. 

Replacing filters on your own will save you money. Some of these filters may be more challenging than others to replace. So, you should hire a qualified mechanic to replace the filters. 

4. Tire Pressures

Believe it or not, tires without the right pressure cause uneven tread wear. So, check your tire pressure often. If you have the tires that came originally installed on your vehicle, then the correct air pressure needed in the tires will be found in the owner’s manual and printed on the manufacturer’s label in the driver’s door jamb. Otherwise, the tire sidewall will tell you the maximum pounds per square inch (PSI).

Also, learn how to change a tire; it’s one of the most basic skills every car owner must have in case of emergency. 

Conclusion

You’ll have to learn several other things as a new car owner. However, don’t be in a rush. Take the learning one day at a time. In all honesty, you never completely finish learning about cars.