National Car Care Month raises awareness about the importance of regular preventive maintenance for your vehicle. Before summer is upon us and you find yourself preparing for a road trip, check to see that you are following the recommended maintenance procedures for your vehicle.
Check the Oil During National Car Care Month
Get out the dipstick and check the oil level during your next fill-up and change it and the oil filter at the prescribed times in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Check the other fluids in your car at the same time and top off as necessary.
TLC for Your Battery
Batteries are key to the smooth functioning of your vehicle. Check the battery connections to be sure they are tight and remove any corrosion.
Clean or Replace Wiper Blades During National Car Care Month
After the winter, your blades will need cleaning and perhaps replacing for optimal efficiency. Check the windshield washer fluid as well and fill up as needed.
Headlights
Have someone watch as you turn on your headlights – both regular and high beams – to see that they are aligned and working properly. Clean your headlight lenses as well.
Tire Check
Check your owners’ manual for the proper tire pressure for your car and examine the tread and overall condition of all four tires. If the tread is looking low or worn, have your tires inspected, rotated, or changed at our shop in Holliston.
Have Your Engine Serviced at BDR Automotive
Schedule a service inspection appointment to be sure you are getting the highest power-to-fuel-efficiency operation and minimal emissions.
The Importance of National Car Care Month
This designation draws attention to the regular maintenance every driver should be doing to avoid expensive repairs. The longer you wait, the more it will cost to repair or replace.
Resale Value
When it comes time to sell your vehicle, you will be rewarded with a higher resale value if you have kept up maintenance and preserved the car’s value.
Safety
Regularly maintaining your vehicle keeps you and other drivers safe. Maintenance on schedule helps reduce cases of malfunction, which impacts the likelihood of an accident. 
The History of National Car Care Month
The National Car Care Council, which is part of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, designated April as National Car Care Month in 2003.
Once celebrated in October, the NCCC decided that April is the ideal time to focus on your vehicle’s maintenance and repairs, after the winter months when it is natural to overlook basic vehicle maintenance.
Regular car care is very important and needs to be scheduled, not just in April, but quarterly and annually as well.
Quarterly Car Maintenance
Four times a year car owners should:
- Change the oil and filter
- Inspect the fan belt
- Inspect the hoses for cracks
- Check battery terminals and cables
- Check power steering and automatic transmission fluids
Annually:
- Flush the coolant
- Check spark plugs
- Change the air cabin and engine air filters
- Lubricate doors and hinges
- Check brakes and wheel bearings
- Inspect steering and suspension
Some of these maintenance procedures you can do yourself and others you will want to trust to your automotive mechanic, like the experts at BDR Automotive!
If you have questions about any maintenance for your vehicle or to make an appointment during national car care month, call the service department at BDR Automotive at 508-429-4720, or contact us on our website.