LET’S FACE IT: YOUR TIME IN THE CAR ISN’T ALWAYS A JOYRIDE. OUR EXPERTS WILL TEACH YOU HOW TO NAVIGATE THOSE “WHY ME?!” SITUATIONS—FLAT TIRE, PESKY STAIN, TARDY CARPOOLER— SO YOU’LL STAY SMILING (NOT SWEARING!) FROM POINT A TO POINT B.
SHOW YOUR CAR YOU LOVE IT
Just like babies need a little extra TLC, so does your car—except skipping an oil change can have even scarier consequences than ignoring a dirty diaper. You don’t have to memorize the owner’s manual, but checking off the basics can help your car run better and longer. Be sure you know…
WHEN TO CHECK THE OIL
By the time the oil light appears on your dash, you could already have a serious problem. “Oil is truly the lifeblood of the engine,” says former race car driving instructor Darlene Gray, now an education specialist for Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations. “So keeping it clean and contaminants out of it is essential.” Checking the oil every other time you fill up the car with gas can help identify a leak or other small problems before they become big (expensive) ones.
HOW TO ADD OIL
The location of the oil reservoir underneath the hood varies, though most cars have a little icon that looks like Aladdin’s lamp, and you’ll find the dipstick that indicates your level nearby. “I start off by putting in about a quarter of a quart; then I examine the dipstick again to see if I need more,” Gray says. Beware: If you’re adding oil regularly, that could mean your vehicle is burning oil or has a leak, and you should head to your mechanic ASAP.
THE RIGHT PRESSURE FOR YOUR TIRES
This story is from the April 2018 edition of REDBOOK.
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This story is from the April 2018 edition of REDBOOK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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