National Tune-Up Day – Fix Up Your Car for Less

Today marks National Tune-Up Day, which means there is no time like the present to inspect your car both inside and out. Fortunately, there are many quick, easy ways to tune up your car without breaking your budget.

Now, let's take a look at three tips to help you fix up your car on National Tune-Up Day.

1. Check the Fluids

Pop the hood of your car and inspect the fluid levels – you'll be glad you did. That way, you can optimize your car's fluid levels.

Ultimately, there are seven car fluids that you'll want to check out:

• Oil: Ensures your car's moving parts are lubricated.
• Radiator: Prevents the engine from overheating.
• Transmission: Keeps the transmission lubricated.
• Power Steering: Guarantees your car's power steering will continue to perform.
• Brake: Adds power to your car's brakes.
• Air Conditioning: Enables your car's A/C system to deliver cold air.
• Washer: Makes it easy to keep your windshield clean while you drive.

If any of your car's fluid levels are low, refill the necessary tanks immediately. Also, if you notice your car fluids are dirty or have been stored for a year or more, you'll want to drain and flush these fluids.

2. Assess the Engine Bay

Believe it or not, examining your car's engine bay can be quick and simple – here are some suggestions to help you perform an in-depth evaluation of the engine bay:

• Look for leaks around the engine bay.
• Search for cracks and leaks in any engine belts and hoses.
• Evaluate the battery connections to ensure the battery is properly connected.
• Remove the spark plugs and use a wire brush and spray-on plug cleaner to perform extensive cleaning.

If you're still unsure about assessing your car's engine bay, there is no need to worry. When in doubt, bring your car to a local mechanic. This automotive professional can evaluate your car's engine bay, as well as provide expert maintenance recommendations to help you maximize your car's performance.  

3. Examine the Tire Pressure

Under- or over-inflated tires can be problematic; they may force your car out of alignment and increase the likelihood of tire blowouts. Lucky for you, it won't take long to check your car's tire pressure and adjust the pressure if necessary.

To check your car's tire pressure, you'll need to remove the end cap from a tire's air valve and place a tire pressure gauge into the tire's stem valve. Then, press down quickly, and you can get a PSI reading for your car's tire pressure.  

Your car's owner's manual will provide the recommended pressure for each tire. Follow these recommendations, and you should have no trouble avoiding car problems associated with high or low tire pressure.

When it comes to your car, why should you be forced to leave anything to chance? This National Tune-Up Day, allocate the necessary time and resources to fix up your car. By doing so, you can perform fast, effective car maintenance and reduce the risk of costly, time-intensive car repairs in the foreseeable future.