You depend on it to transport you to and from work, to get your kids to school on time, and to safely deliver all of you to the all-important sporting events. So why wouldn’t you want to ensure that it remains in the best shape possible to be able to do all this? We’re talking about your car. Whether it’s a four-door, SUV, or sports model, your vehicle requires regular maintenance to operate properly. At Workman’s Friend, many of us believed regular maintenance meant changing the car’s oil on occasion. We quickly learned it entails much more than that.
First and foremost any car care begins with an application of our Workman’s Friend Barrier Skin Cream. Our lightweight formulation will protect your hands from the grease and harsh chemical products you might be using while caring for your car. Read on to learn what’s next.
Related: The 5 Mistakes You Make When Changing Your Car's Oil
Read the Manual
You wouldn’t start using any new appliance without reading the manual first? Then the same rule should apply to your car. Regardless of the type of vehicle you drive, its manual should tell you when and what needs to be done to ensure it remains in optimal condition. Old car myths such as, “you should change your oil every 3,000 miles” may not be applicable to your vehicle. But it will tell you at a minimum when to change your oil, timing belts, recommended tire pressure and what type of gas is required. For example, you may have been filing up your car with the cheapest gas you can find, but the manual stipulates you need to use a higher octane level gas or the manufacturer’s warranty might be void. Even worse, you might be damaging your car by using the cheaper gas. All the more reason to read your manual!
And don’t forget before you do any kind of maintenance on your car always apply a thin layer of Workman’s Friend Barrier Skin Cream to your hands. It will keep them soft and moisturized as you work.
Perform your Own Inspection
One of the best ways to keep maintenance costs on your car low is do a regular once-over. That way, if anything seems out of the ordinary you can catch it before it becomes a very expensive repair. The following is a brief list of what you should be inspecting and how often.
Monthly
- Tire pressure
- All lights
- Tire tread
- Windshield washer fluid
Every 3 Months
- Automatic transmission Fluid
- Battery and cables
- Belts
- Engine oil and filter
- Fuel filter
- Power steering fluid
Every 6 months
- Hoses
- Power steering fluid
- Wiper blades
- Chassis lubrication
- Engine air filter
Every 12 months
- Brakes
- Cabin air filter
- Coolant/anti-freeze
- Steering and suspension
- Belts
Remember before you perform any maintenance on your car take the time to apply a layer of Workman’s Friend Barrier Skin Cream. It will protect your hands from the harsh chemicals and products used throughout the operation and repair of your vehicle. Once you’ve finished working on your car, a simple wipe of a cloth or rinse of the hands and you’re done.
There’s an APP for that
If you keep all of your repair receipts and estimates in an poorly organized stack on your desk at home, it may be time to consider using a 21st century invention: your cellphone. There are many applications available to help you keep track of your receipts and provide maintenance reminders all on your mobile device. There are apps designed to remind you what needs inspection and when. Other ones will allow you to scan all of your repair receipts and store them on your phone. That way they’re always portable. When you need them, all you so is swipe with your finger and they appear on your device. No more disorganized stacks of flyaway receipts and papers.
Do-it-yourself vs. Professional Maintenance
The sure sign of a truly responsible do-it-yourselfer is someone who knows when the job requires a professional. Regularly scheduled maintenance such as changing your oil can be done on your own. But for body work, balancing your tires, repairing the air conditioning, or working on the transmission a licensed mechanic is your best bet. Remember, you rely on your vehicle to safely transport you to and from your destination. You wouldn’t want to jeopardize that by trying to repair something that was beyond your understanding. By following our suggestions listed above you’ll know what needs maintenance on your car and when. In addition, you’ll always remember to apply a layer of Workman’s Friend Barrier Skin Cream.
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Workman’s Friend Barrier Skin Cream is light-weight and odorless product. Apply a dime-sized portion of our non-greasy, formula on each hand. Then rub them together to ensure the cream has been properly absorbed.