To keep your wheels running smoothly, follow the recommended maintenance schedule in the owner's manual. No manual? No problem:
Change your oil approximately every 5,000 miles
Get a tune-up every 30,000 miles.
Check your coolant, which absorbs heat from the engine, frequently.
Check the tire pressure twice a month. Religiously.
Tire Pressure
Tire pressure is the amount of air in your tires and is measured in PSI (pounds per square inch). Correct tire pressure gives the best gas mileage (saving your wallet) and avoids blowouts (saving your life).
Look for a sticker on the side of the driver's door or metal space that is next to the seat. This is where your car will tell you what the correct tire pressure is. You can buy an electronic tire pressure gauge from your local auto parts store and keep it in your glove compartment.
While you wait to fill up your car is a good time to check tire pressure:
Unscrew the plastic cap on the air valve (put it in your pocket, I've left too many behind at gas stations).
Press the tire-pressure gauge against the valve and hold it down firmly. If you hear a hissing noise, you are letting air out. Press down harder.
Read the measurement on the gauge.
Add air as needed (most gas stations have provide air for free!), but don't overfill the tire.
Things to keep in the glove compartment
Print out our handy dandy pamphlet (you'd be surprised how much of this information you'll forget when you might actually need it).
registration
2 insurance cards
owner's manual
stuff: pen, a few pieces of blank paper, disposable camera, gardening gloves
