Many car owners have failed to embrace the habit of adequately caring for their cars. They forget that it has to be maintained if they want to enjoy it. Car maintenance is keeping a car in good working condition. Irrespective of style, brand, or model, the necessary maintenance principle remains the same. Everyone who drives a car should be familiar with the fundamental steps in car maintenance. Some maintenance can be daily, weekly, or monthly depending on how you use the car. These simple maintenance practices prevent sudden breakdowns that might cost a lot. 

Paying attention to the little details go a long way to maintain a car. Please keep it clean to maintain its beauty. Disregard for oil check will be the death of the engine. Always remember your appointment with the mechanic. Protect the car battery from corrosion. Inspect the headlight always. Change the wiper as soon as they stop working.

1. First, reference your manual to understand the quantity and type of oil needed. Following the recommendation for oil viscosity is crucial! While you can buy extra in bulk to keep on hand, we’d recommend starting with a smaller jug for your trial run.
2. Lay down a tarp or plastic sheet, if you’d like to avoid any potential oil splashes. Drive your car on top.
3. Warm up your car. You actually want the engine and oil to be warm, so run your car for a minute or two. If has been running already, then let it cool down so it’s not too hot to handle.
4. Elevate your car using the jack stand for better access and visualization, if needed.
5. Undo your oil fill plug. This will let air in, so that the oil will end up draining out faster.
6. Locate the drain plug, and place your drain pan underneath. Make sure it’s a decent size. The oil will come out at an angle, so be prepared to adjust. And note, you’ll want to put on gloves or be prepared with rags at this point.
7. Unscrew the plug with a socket wrench, turning to the left, and drain oil.
8. Change that filter in the meantime. You’ll need to unscrew the old filter, checking that its o-ring comes out with it. Then, you’ll swap it out, but first line the new filter with a bit of oil along its o-ring before securing it on. Hand tighten.
9. When the oil is done draining, put your drain plug back in place.
10. Return to the oil fill plug that you loosened earlier. Add in your new oil to the engine, using a funnel here to prevent any splashing. Return the oil cap. Turn on your car to test that the oil pressure has gone up. Slowly repeat and add more, if needed.
11. Pour the used oil from the drain pan into a large jug. Save it to be recycled later.

Unfortunately, as well as we maintain them, cars do not last forever. Eventually they drive their final mile, and at that point, we have to look for a replacement. Whenever you come to that realization, that your car is too old or too damaged to repair it and drive safely on the road, the best decision for both you and the planet is to consider it a junk car. Give it to professionals that will be able to break down and repurpose it in the most responsible way.
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