car maintenance money

The Ultimate Car Maintenance Checklist

In modern-day America, your car is probably one of the most important possessions you’re ever going to have. It allows you to get to places on your own terms and in your own time, opens a multitude of opportunities – among them related to job and freelance-hunting – and can even serve as a source of passive income.

Needless to say, any vehicle-owner has more than enough incentive to take good care of their car. It can also help you get a title loan too.

If you wish to be a responsible vehicle owner whose cars serves them a long time, here’s what you need to do:

Car Maintenance Checklist

1. Learn About Car Fluids

Fluids play an important role in your car operating smoothly. The most important, among them, is, of course, the engine oil. Most importantly, the frequency at which it should be changed heavily depends on individual engines – learning the optimal threshold for your car, specifically, is important. It may be different from the automaker’s suggestion.

What’s more, cars run on other fluids too – and their importance can often be overlooked. Keeping an eye out on engine coolant, antifreeze, stirring fluid, even washer fluid – and treating them with the same diligence you treat engine oil is paramount for ensuring your car works smoothly and serves you for a long time.

2. Learn About Spark Plugs

If you have trouble starting your car, accelerating, and your engine keeps making weird noises while fuel economy is worsening – chances are you have a problem with spark plugs.

Spark plugs play an important part in engine efficiency, but are often an overlooked detail from car owners, who often have no idea that spark plugs are even susceptible to build-up until they’re face to face with the problem.

This is where your owner’s manual comes in: it should provide you information about how often you should change your spark plugs, so that they won’t cause trouble for your car.

And no, you definitely shouldn’t skip replacing them, even if they seem to be doing fine. After a certain threshold, that’s just asking for problems that you don’t want to be dealing with.

3. Pay Attention to Filters

The engine air filter is a protection against contaminants, keeping the dirt out. Carbon filters protect the car’s HVAC system from pollutants like dust and mold. If you just let the filters be, they will get clogged – affecting not only the air quality in the car, but also the engine efficiency. A clogged filter means the engine has to work harder to push air through, and can worsen its overall performance.

While automakers may offer some guidelines about the frequency the filters should be replaced at, it’s important to remember that no two cars are the same. You’ll need to keep your eyes peeled with this one: if you notice that the air in the car has become musty even with the AC on, or if the engine filter doesn’t pass any light – then it’s time to replace the filters.

4. Schedule Regular Check-Up with a Pro

Professional mechanics exist for a reason: if we all could do their job then the profession would be obsolete.

You may read your owner’s manual through and learn all the big stuff, but chances are you’ll still miss the small stuff, the one that lays beneath waiting to strike.

This is when the pros come in: taking your car to a regular check-up will guarantees that little stuff doesn’t become the big stuff, which will save you a lot of car trouble and money down the line.

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5. Don’t Postpone Dealing with Problems

Driving a car that clearly has problems is a surefire way of getting into more trouble – and having to spend a lot more money down the line.

Even if you don’t have any cash on hand, you shouldn’t postpone dealing with car problems. Luckily, the car itself can help you come up with cash – by taking out a title loan.

Why A Title Loan?

Because title loans are quick and easy. All you need are a car’s title in your name (it will need to be completely lien-free), a valid state-issued ID to prove you are 18+ with some sort of income – lenders will accommodate all types. And they don’t care about credit scores, so you can apply even if your credit is bad or non-existent.

How Do I Find Title Loans Near Me?

You can apply for title loans online by going to WisconsinAutoTitleLoansInc.com and submitting an inquiry form. Once you complete the form, a store representative will contact you to set up a meeting at a location convenient to you. When you arrive, you will need to provide the required documentation, along you’re your lien-free vehicle for a quick inspection to see if you qualify. If you’re approved for the Wisconsin car title loan, you’ll get the money the same day.

So, what did we learn? Maintaining your vehicle is not only important for your car’s health and your safety, but also help in any kind of financial emergency.

Note: The content provided in this article is only for informational purposes, and you should contact your financial advisor about your specific financial situation.

Louis Tully

Louis Tully is a full-time finance writer offering financial expertise to everyday consumers. He understands the core values of finance and used his writing talents to share his own experiences with money to his readers. His articles teach how financial failures can easily become successes by making new habits and creating realistic goals.