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A car kept in good condition improve the performance of your vehicle, keeps your car running for a longer period, helps avoid accidents and in the long run saves you money. We have compiled a number of car maintenance tips to help you keep your automobile at an optimum operational performance as <a href=chevronfastlube.com>Chevron Fast Lube</a> value automobile users.  Changing the oil You have to check the levels of the oil so as to know when it is time to change the oil. To do this, park your car on a level ground then reinsert the dipstick into the pipe and check oil levels against the indicators. Remember to wipe the dipstick first before reinserting into the pipe. Also, note the color of the oil. Black thick oil indicates contaminations and hence should be changed.  Inspecting the tires Some cars have tire monitoring systems fitted but if yours doesn’t have then you should check the pressure of the tires on a weekly basis. Check the tire treads too. If your car tires do not have tread wear indicators then you will have to plan on purchasing a new set of tires. Have a tire alignment check after the recommended mileage to avoid accidents.  Replacing the brake pads and fluid Brake pads are subjected to extensive friction and therefore wear down after a while. Brake fluid also attracts moisture which will later cause corrosions. Therefore, you have to inspect the brake pads on a regular basis and the fluid should be flushed and replaced regularly.  Replacing the engines air filters Air filters prevent the debris, dirt and dust particles from getting into the engine when the air is sucked and mixed with fuel. The dust affects the efficiency of the engine operation and in some cases can misfire. The vehicle manufacturer normally recommends the mileage for the replacement but you should check the air filters even before hitting the mileage especially if you use the car for long drives or stop-and-go daily traffic.  Checking the battery When replacing the battery, Make sure that you have disconnected the battery terminal correctly. Start with the negative terminal to avoid short circuits that result from disconnecting the positive terminal first. When connecting, the positive terminal should go first then the negative terminal. If you are not changing the battery then just disconnect the negative terminal only. Clean the terminals using a cleaning brush specially made for the purpose.  Checking the fluids Check the vehicle’s fluid including coolant, power steering, and transmission fluid. In case you notice a leak, have the vehicle fixed by the mechanic. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and have the fluids flushed and swapped to increase your vehicles longevity  Checking belts and hoses Belts and hoses are subject to wear as they are made of rubber or polymers. After a while, they degrade and lose their integrity. In that case, you are supposed to check the timing and v-belt or serpentine belt every now and then to make sure that there are no hairline cracks. If they are damaged then you should replace them to avoid breakdown or leak. Also, check your car manual to be sure when the hoses and belts need replacement. If you are looking for auto maintenance and repairs, oil changes, brake repairs and alignments, then you should visit the Chevron Fast Lube for quality auto repairs and maintenance services.