After a few sacrifices, you managed to buy a car of your own: now you no longer have to ask your parents to lend it to you to go and take a lesson at the University or for a trip. However ** owning a car ** requires a lot of effort because a small distraction can become a big breakdown, which often turns into a large expense of money at the mechanic. Obviously the ** car maintenance costs change depending on the make and model **, but the costs are still high. So in this article we offer ** useful tips for taking care of your car ** just like your parent would. Enjoy the reading!

** Check your oil **

The first thing you absolutely must check to avoid saying goodbye to your car is the ** engine oil level . A very simple action, but which could extend the life of your car by a long time. Some vehicles need to change the oil every 5,000 miles, others after 10,000 miles and so on. Read the ** owner's manual ** when your car needs an engine oil change. This is because oil is essential for ** lubricating engine parts . It also serves to ** disperse the heat **, if this is missing the engine will overheat causing extensive damage that will cost a lot of money.

** Check the car lights **

** Headlights, taillights and indicators ** are essential for safe travel. If one of these lights fails, it must be replaced immediately. However, it often happens that you do not notice a ** malfunction of the car lights **, because being external, you will hardly notice them, unless someone else warns you. Therefore, always pay attention to the car lights and ** immediately replace the non-working ones ** with the right models, which are indicated in the owner's manual.

** Measure tire pressure **

Checking the ** tire pressure of your car ** is first and foremost essential for driving safety, but it will also save you a lot of money. If the air inside the tires is too much, or even too little, the grip of these on the asphalt will not be good, putting your safety at risk. Also, if your car's tires have the right pressure, they will ** wear out more slowly **, allowing you to wait longer before having to change them. For these reasons, the advice is to ** check your tires often ** when you go for petrol to extend the life. By reading the owner's manual you will find the right tire pressure you need.

** Change the air filter periodically **

Although it is a very simple thing to do, it often happens to forget to change the ** air filter , helping to reduce the life of the car. This is why it is important that you check, and if you change, the air filter so that the engine of your car lasts longer. In fact, a dirty air filter ** can increase the fuel consumption ** of your car, as well as negatively affect engine performance. Basically ** shortens engine life and increases your car's emissions .

** Check that the wipers are intact and that there is washer fluid **

We must always keep the windshield clean so that we have a clear view of the road. For this reason it is essential that the ** wipers are intact **, so as to be able to keep the windshield visible even in case of rain, and that there is always clean water in the car and ** washer fluid ** should we have dirty glass. Warning: ** do not use household detergents ** instead of the specific detergent for the car, as they can damage both the windshield and the wipers.