If you want to save money on your car's maintenance costs, consider partaking in its preventive maintenance by following the easy checks and tasks listed below by Mike Ford Shop in Ham Lake.

As you might know, going to your trusted mechanic and following your car's maintenance schedule can be somewhat costly; that's why being proactive and getting yourself involved in your vehicle's preventive maintenance can benefit your budget. Fortunately, you don't need to be an experienced mechanic to partake in your vehicle's maintenance. Along with the major servicing procedures your car requires to be safe and reliable, there are easy jobs you can safely do on your own. Thus, this post by Mike Ford Shop will go over a few simple jobs you can do to take charge of your car's basic maintenance.

When it comes to your vehicle's preventive maintenance, it's crucial that you pick high-quality lubricants like AMSOIL's Signature Series 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil. You can click here to explore the full line of AMSOIL products. For more information about the most reliable synthetic oil in Ham Lake, call Mike Ford Shop at (763) 257-3130.

Easy Preventive Maintenance Tasks Every Car Owner Should Do

Check Synthetic Oil

Synthetic oil lubricates the engine's moving parts to minimize friction and heat; on top of that, it keeps the engine clean by picking up sludge, soot, and other contaminants. Given its critical functions, it's safe to say your engine wouldn't be able to perform without synthetic oil; that's why you must check its levels and condition at least once every month; to that end, follow through with these steps:

1. Park your vehicle at a flat-level surface to get an accurate oil level reading.
2. Wait for the engine to cool down and open the hood to locate the oil dipstick (refer to your owner's manual if you can't find it).
3. Pull the dipstick out and wipe the oil remainings with paper towels or a piece of cloth; once it's clean, reinsert it into the oil tube for a few seconds.
4. Pull the dipstick out once more and examine the two marks at the end of it. If the oil level is below the minimum or low mark, that means you need to top it off; otherwise, an oil level over the maximum or high fill mark indicates potential concerns, such as condensation or a coolant leak. Ideally, the oil level should be between the two marks.
5. Finally, check the oil's color and consistency. Is it black, gritty, or milky? Those are clear warning signs indicating your oil must be inspected and changed by a professional. Your oil should be slick, thin, and in a color range between light to dark brown.

Check Your Tires' Air Pressure

Driving on unproperly inflated tires can increase your vehicle's fuel consumption and cause prematurely wearing of your tires; that's why you must maintain the proper tire inflation for your car; to that end, check their air pressure at least once a month. Now, to check your tires' air pressure, you'll need a tire gauge and your owner's manual. First, take the caps off from the air valves on each tire; then, attach the gauge to the open valve for a few seconds. Finally, read the PSI (pounds per square inch) indicated in the tire gauge; the result should match the operating pressure recommended by the car manufacturer in your owner's manual.

Keep your vehicle running efficiently by giving it a synthetic oil change in Ham Lake. Call Mike Ford Shop at (763) 257-3130 or visit AMSOIL's online store to place an order on high-quality motor oils.

Replace Your Wiper Blades

When was the last time you got your windshield wiper blades replaced? This maintenance task is easy to do; plus, critical to ensure your visibility on the road under snowfall, rain, and overall rough weather conditions. Now, installing new wipers, it's super simple; however, there are several types and sizes of wiper blades; hence, you should start by checking your owner's manual to figure out what wiper size works best for your vehicle. Then, head out to the local auto store and choose quality wipers from a reputable brand. Last but not least, refer to your owner's manual or check the wipers' package for instructions on installing them correctly.

Replace Your Air Filter

Did you know your vehicle needs clean air to operate? For instance, during combustion, your engine uses oxygen to burn fuel. Nonetheless, it's important to note that the cleanliness of the air that circulates within the motor has a huge impact on its performance, hence the importance of having an effective air filter to keep damaging particles, dust, bugs, and other airborne contaminants out of your engine. Now, after weeks and months of usage, the air filter gets inevitably clogged and begins to wear down. As you might expect, overlooking its condition can take a toll on your engine operation; that's why you should check your air filter once or twice each year to replace it when in due; to that end, make sure to refer to the instructions in your owner's manual.

Stay safe on the road by keeping your vehicle protected against premature wear and tear; to that end, choose high-quality lubricants like AMSOIL's Signature Series 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil. Call Mike Ford Shop at (763) 257-3130 or visit AMSOIL's online store to place an order on the most effective synthetic oil in Ham Lake.