When you buy a new Suzuki, the first thing you’ll want to do is experience the freedom it brings. You’ll want to hit the road, go on adventures, and feel the wind in your hair. Yet we know that most car owners have very little understanding of the basics.

Ever driven past someone who’s broken down on the side of the road and thought, ‘I’m glad that’s not me!’? To avoid getting stuck, stressed, and overwhelmed, it’s good to know a little more than how to get from A to B. You could even use your car knowledge to help out others.

As a vehicle owner, there are certain essentials that you need to know to make sure you and your car can be in it for the long haul. How do you check your oil and how often? How do you make sure your tyre pressure is good? Are your brakes working?

At Mantello Suzuki Roxburgh Park, we’re all about sharing our knowledge with customers to help you keep your car in good shape and feel safe when you’re driving. Here are five basic tips to get you started.

Changing a flat tyre

If you ever experience a flat tyre, you’ll wish you had some basic car knowledge to get you back on the road. The first thing to do is find out where your spare tyre is located. It’s surprising how many vehicle owners don’t know where the tyre is. Your spare tyre and your car jack should be in your car at all times.

First, use a wrench to loosen the lug nuts, then lift the car with the jack. Once the car is jacked up, take off the lug nuts and the old tyre. Put the new, spare tyre and lug nuts back on and lower the car. Make sure the nuts are tightly secured and you’ll be good to go.

Checking and change your oil

We think that this is one of the key fundamentals that you should know about your car as a responsible vehicle owner. Clean oil helps your engine last longer and your car run at its best.

Check your oil quality and quantity by removing the dipstick (your owner’s manual will show you how to find it), then wipe it clean with a rag. Reinsert the dipstick and pull it out again. You’ll see markers on the dipstick that indicate whether the oil is full or needs topping up. If the oil looks gritty, it could need changing completely.

To change your oil, remove the drain plug and unscrew the oil filter to empty it. Then, put the plug back and pour in the new oil.

Replacing your wiper blades

A lot of vehicle owners forget about changing their wiper blades, but they’re a key part of car safety and maintenance. To check whether they need replacing, press the washer button; if the blades create streaks, they’re past their best.

Start off by lifting the wiper off from the windshield and press in the tab to remove the old wiper. Put the new wiper blade in its place and press back down.

Do your lights work?

As a family-owned and operated business, we appreciate the importance of safe driving. To avoid accidents and ensure the safest driving conditions possible, check your lights regularly.

Although most cars these days alert you if a bulb needs to be replaced, it’s still a good idea to check them yourself each month. Test out headlights, high beams, reverse lights, fog lights, and indicators and keep them clean to ensure they can shine bright.

Checking your tyre pressure

A good car maintenance check should always include a look at your tyre pressure on a monthly basis. Did you know that having optimal tyre pressure can increase your fuel economy?

On one hand, if your tyre pressure is too low, it means that your tyres will wear out faster and need to be replaced, which can be costly. On the other hand, if it’s too high there will be less traction – making it harder to stop.

Use a tyre pressure gauge to check your pressure first thing in the morning (not when you’ve driven on them and they’re warm). Peak tyre pressure varies depending on the make and model of your car but your owner’s manual will have all the information you need.

You don’t need to be a professional car mechanic to take good care of your vehicle. Although different cars perform differently, every car will thank you for knowing these basics of car maintenance.

At Mantello Suzuki Roxburgh Park we’re always here to help and advise you on how to take care of your new vehicle. We’re renowned for our technical expertise and friendly approach.

Got a question? Mantello Suzuki’s automotive knowledge is vast, and it always shows in the quality of our service. Contact us today on (03) 9930 4444