Raising a family eats up at least 90 percent of your time. Single moms are often busy. They have to take care of their kids and make sure food is on the table at all times. Because of this, car maintenance is pushed to the bottom of their priority list. But neglecting your car can result in damage that could otherwise be avoided.
Car Care Tips for Mom
A neglected car has a high chance of breaking down and rendering you without a way to take you and your kids where you need to go. Getting it repaired can also cost you a significant amount that you could have put somewhere else. To avoid these circumstances, here are a few simple car care tips that you can do to take care of your vehicle to keep it up and running at all times.
Clean Your Car
Keeping your car clean doesn’t have to be a chore. Before parking your car, take any trash out with you and toss them in the nearest bin. This is an excellent way to keep your car trash free. In fact, you can even make it a rule for your kids as well. Teach them to always take their trash with them when they get out of the car. It will give them some responsibility and will help you keep your car clean. The same can be said for washing your car. Make it an activity for your kids, and you’ll be killing two birds with one stone.
Checking and Changing Oil
Ready to get your hands dirty? Checking the oil levels on your car is an easy way to keep it running smoothly without having to pay a professional to do it for you. Getting your oil changed regularly allows your vehicle to run smoothly and prevents the engine from seizing up. Remember to check your oil levels and take an hour of your day to change the oil every 5000km.
Changing a flat tire
Knowing how to change a flat tire is something every car owner should know how to do. After all, if you ever get stuck in the middle of nowhere, you only have yourself to rely on. Have someone teach you or learn by yourself through useful videos online. That way, you can take care of the problem yourself without much trouble.
BLOWBAGA
Another essential maintenance tip all car owners should know is the acronym BLOWBAGA. It stands for: Battery, Lights, Oil, Water, Brakes, Air or tires, Gas, and Accessories. It’s an easy to remember acronym that reminds you to check the stuff listed above before a big drive or even a regular trip. That way you can know the status of your car if it’s alright to be driven or if it needs to be taken to the shop for some repairs and maintenance work that is out of your control.
Engine Lights
If you’re driving a newer model car that has a Check Engine Light on the dashboard, pay attention to it. The light is a signal that lets you know that something is not right with the engine. A lot of people brush this off because their car is running fine. They will continue to do so until the car finally breaks down and costs them several hundred dollars in repairs alone. To avoid this, pay attention to the Check Engine Lights and make sure to have a professional check it out for you to prevent any long-term damage.
Car maintenance does not have to be hard. All you have to do is make sure that you know how to do the small repairs so that the bigger ones won’t cause you a bigger headache.
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Calvin says
Very general tips that are helpful to your everyday mom
Rosie says
These are good tips. One thing I found out is at least for my car don’t expect to get a warning your car needs oil. Change it regularly, every 3000 miles or 3 months. If you don’t drive many miles, don’t let it go longer than 3 months to change the oil, if you want to keep your car a long time. The damage takes a toll over time.