You don’t have to be a service technician or mechanic to know some basic information and maintenance items about your vehicle. If you don’t know these five things yet, take some time to discover a bit more about your car. Then, next time you need to take care of something, you can feel confident in your basic knowledge. 

5 Things to Know About Your Car 

Here are the top five things you should know about your vehicle: 

1. Maintenance schedule 

All vehicles will come with a maintenance schedule. The maintenance schedule will include things such as when to change various fluids and when to inspect other mechanical parts. It’s probably available for reference in your owner’s manual or possibly in a supplemental booklet. By following manufacturer’s maintenance schedule, you can be sure to prolong your vehicle’s life.  

2. Dash light meanings 

If you’ve ever been driving and have a dash light pop up you know that feeling of panic that quickly washes over you. What does this mean? Is it an emergency or can it wait? Can I safely complete my drive? To best take care of your vehicle and for your safety while operating your car, it’s important to know the meanings of your dash lights.   

3. Identification info 

It’s incredibly important to know your vehicle’s year, make and model. You’ll also want to know your VIN. This is the 17-digit identification code that provides a host of information about your car. You might not be able to memorize this like the year, make and model, but you should know where to find it on your vehicle. One place is stamped on a metal plate viewable from the outside where your dash meets your windshield. You should also have it available somewhere else in case of an emergency. Many insurance companies will print the VIN on your insurance card, so that might be a good place to reference it if needed. 

4. Tire care 

Proper tire care is a cornerstone of safe driving. If your tire pressure check light comes on, don’t wait to inspect your tires (yes, even if you have run flats). You should also regularly check your tires for correct pressure, examine the tread for good depth and condition and select the right tires for your vehicle and lifestyle.   

5. Location and use of emergency items 

If you have something happen on the road, you’ll want to already be familiar with the location and usage of your vehicle’s emergency equipment. Know where your spare tire and jack are located. You’ll also want to have a roadside emergency kit that includes things like reflective road triangles, jumper cables, some basic tools, gloves and a first aid kit.   

Know These 5 Things About Your Car 

Knowing these five things about your car will set you up for success and help you feel confident when going for service, purchasing parts or in the case of a roadside emergency.  

Need assistance with your five categories? 

Contact the service department at any of our dealerships to learn how they can help you collect this information, to provide maintenance according to your vehicle’s specific schedule or to purchase a roadside emergency kit.