One of the hardest parts of being a new car owner is giving your vehicle the care and maintenance it deserves. Even when you want to do this, you may not be at home or have the right garage space to perform any serious maintenance. Thankfully, there are some kinds of car maintenance you can do wherever you are to keep your vehicle in good condition for years.

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Checking Your Oil Level

While many modern cars will flip on a warning light when your oil level gets too low, there are issues that may cause this light to fail to flip on. Thankfully, you can check your engine oil level yourself to ensure it’s high and you’re not putting undue strain on your engine. Wait until your engine is cold to stay safe. So if you’ve just been driving, give it time to cool off.

After the engine is cool, you can open the hood and remove the oil dipstick, which typically has a brightly coloured top. After pulling the stick out, wipe it with a rag. Then, you should reinsert it. The oil level should be between the two markings. If it isn’t, add oil until it falls into the right range. Besides looking at the level, you can also see if the oil is grainy. This is a sign something’s wrong and that you need to go to the mechanic.

Checking Hoses and Belts

While you have the hood open, inspect your belts and hoses too. These components are easy to neglect since they don’t have the same obvious importance as an air intake or engine. But they are crucial components, nonetheless. While the hood is open and everything is cool, consider squeezing your hoses and looking for cracks or fluid leaking.

With your belts, look for fraying. It’s important to remember that if there are issues with these components, you may notice them while you’re driving too, as their symptoms are squealing, foul odours, and poor fuel economy. If you think there’s a problem, it’s time for a professional repair.

Car Detailing

While the inside components of your car, such as the oil levels, belts, and hoses, are important, so are the more aesthetic elements. The inner cabin and your car’s exterior will quickly wear over time. Thankfully, there’s a lot of car detailing you can do at home or wherever you are as long as you have the right cleaning supplies. The basic supplies you’ll need to carry in your car include:

Terry-cloth towels
Bristle brushes
Upholstery shampoo
Water
Soap
Microfiber mitts

With this gear, which you can store easily in your trunk, you can give your car the thorough detailing it needs to stay sleek wherever you go.

These are just a few examples of car maintenance you can do wherever you are. And while there’s a lot you can do, there are a few things you cannot. It’s important to remember that at the end of the day, your car requires a few specific things that you may not have the space or expertise to handle. If that’s the case, don’t hesitate to seek professional mechanical help.

Also, read: Why Is It Good to Carry Out Regular Car Maintenance?