If you're a new car owner, getting to know the basics of your car is a must. This can help keep your car in better shape while preparing you for a road emergency. Use these tips to learn the basics.

Basic Things Car Owners Should Know

It's never too late to get to know your car better. If you really don't know much about yours, starting with the basics is a great idea. This can help you take care of your car better while also helping you be better prepared to handle a road emergency. Check out the tips below to get better acquainted with your car.

Be Prepared for a Flat Tire

The first thing you'll want to do is figure out where your spare tire is located. No one wants to have to deal with a flat tire, but being prepared for something like this will make it much less stressful. Since you don't want to discover that your spare is missing or that it's flat as well, figure out where yours is located in your car and check on it periodically. Make sure you also have all the tools you need to change a tire and that they're properly stored in your trunk. To learn to change a tire, watch a couple of videos that guide you through the process. After this, practice it all the way through at home until you're comfortable doing this yourself.

Get to Know Your Fluids

Your car relies on a few fluids to keep it running safely. It's a great idea to learn what these are, what they do, and how to check on them. Most of these fluids will have to be drained and replaced periodically, so getting to know them will make it easier to stay on top of this. The most important fluids to keep track of are your motor oil, coolant, and brake fluid. Get to know where each one's reservoir is located and what these fluids should look like. It's important that you know what color they should be and at what level they should be present. On top of this, you should also learn what their average lifespan is so you know around when they will need to be changed.

Keep an Eye on Your Motor Oil

Your car's motor oil is very important, so it's worth spending more time on. This fluid circulates through your engine, keeping it clean, cool, and lubricated. As it works, it also picks up debris and moves this out of your engine. Your oil can fill up with debris over time and even go bad, making it ineffective. To keep your engine protected, you'll need to get an oil change. You don't have to learn to change it yourself but knowing what to look out for will help you decide if it's time to take it in for a change. Find the oil dipstick under the hood and know what signs indicate it's time for a change so that you're not driving around on bad oil. Keep your engine in great shape by giving it a synthetic oil change in Hagerstown. An oil like AMSOIL's Signature Series 0W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil can help your engine run stronger for longer. To find more great products like this, contact the friendly oil pros at ALF Marketing. Give them a call at (301) 416-0575 to learn more or to place your order.

Get Familiar With Your Battery

Your car's battery is super important if you want to ensure you don't get stranded. Without a working battery, your car won't even start, which is why it's so important you keep an eye on it. When your battery is three to five years old, pay extra attention to it since this is about how long most batteries last. If it's having trouble starting, this may be a sign that you need a new one. You can always get a volt test done to see just how much power it still has. It's also worth learning how to jumpstart your battery just in case. Don't forget to carry your jumper cables in your trunk so you're always ready!

Keep an Eye on Your Tires

Finally, your tires can take quite a beating on the road, so you'll want to check on them periodically. Check the tire tread to ensure you still have traction, check the sidewalls for damage, and check your tire pressure. Do your best to keep them at what the manufacturer recommends so that you get the best traction, maneuverability, and gas mileage.

Give Your Car a Synthetic Oil Change in Hagerstown

Give your car a synthetic oil change in Hagerstown to ensure your engine stays at its best. Contact the friendly oil pros at ALF Marketing for help finding the right oil for your car. Give them a call at (301) 416-0575 to learn more or to place your order.