It’s easy to take a lot of modern technologies for granted, but your car should never be one of them. It gets you from A to B, protects you from the elements, and saves you the trouble of walking for hours on end. Safe to say it’s a pretty important invention, and there are certain maintenance mistakes you should do your best to avoid.

Ignoring the Check Engine Light

If your check engine light is on, it means you need to have your engine checked, no questions asked. Even if it’s a simple issue, you should always take your car in to be looked at in the event that a serious issue is forming under the hood. It might not seem like an important light, but when your car breaks down in the middle of winter, you’ll wish you had taken the time to go to the shop.

Ignoring Oil Levels

If your car is new, you might not have to check your oil level very often, but the fact remains that without adequate lubrication (oil), your engine isn’t going to run very well. Checking the dipstick is particularly important if you drive a car that’s more than 10 to 12 years old, as those models will use more oil to lubricate the engine.

Failing to Check Tire Pressure

Your tires are your car’s only point of contact with the road. If you neglect to take care of them, your car isn’t going anywhere fast. Checking the tire pressure can help with gas mileage, traction, and speed on the road. The better your tire pressure, the less effort your car needs to put into acceleration.

Headlight Renewal Means More than Changing Lightbulbs

If you break a headlight or a bulb goes out, you need to replace it. Period. However, that’s not the only headlight problem that should concern you.

Never let your headlights get foggy, as it can interfere with visibility. Low-beams should let you see up to 160 feet ahead of your car, and high-beams should allow you to see about 500 feet. But the old, foggy plastic on older headlights can severely limit this reach. Fortunately, headlight restore kits are available and can even be brought home to the garage if need be. If you notice fogginess or weakness in your headlight beams, a headlight renewal kit may be necessary. Headlight restoration is simple with a headlight restore kit, so there’s no excuse not to fix those broken lamps.

If you’re unsure when to perform car maintenance, take your car to a professional. It could mean the difference between getting to work and getting a new car.