The Top Five Things Every Driver Should Know About Their Car

There are a lot of things which we tend to miss out on learning about our cars and these bits of knowledge can be very helpful to us as motorists and automobile owners. The idea of this article is to give you, the reader a few tips which you may find useful when dealing with cars; and of course, mechanics. While it would be great if everyone, women and men alike knew how to do their own maintenance, many of us have neither the time or inclination to do so - nonetheless, there are some things which you can and should know.

1) Tire pressure - Proper tire pressure is very important. You car will handle much more smoothly and you'll even save on gas (especially welcome these days!) if your tires are inflated to the correct pressure. You can get a tire gauge at just about any gas station, garage or even discount store. They cost only a few dollars and are an essential piece of equipment which fits right in your glove box!

2) Regular maintenance - You car should be serviced and have its oil changed every 3,000 miles or three months, whichever comes first. This will consist of taking your car in for an oil change and an evaluation to make sure all is well with your vehicle. Even if your car seems fine, this regular check-up will prevent nasty surprises.

3) Emergencies - You should keep some emergency supplies in your car at all times; just in case. You should carry a few road flares (available at auto supply stores), a blanket and perhaps a little water. Of course, you should also keep a spare tire, jack and tire iron which leads us to...

4) Changing a tire. Everyone should know how to change a tire, just in case you need to in an emergency situation. Even if you have AAA or other coverage, you should have the tools and knowledge to take care of this task when the need arises. You can get books on the topic, or take a basic auto maintenance class at your local community college.

5) Insurance - In most states, insurance is required by law. You should always have adequate insurance coverage for you car, especially liability insurance in case of accidents. Shop around for the best deal you can find; many insurers offer lower premiums for women with good driving records.

Every driver should know some basics about taking care of their automobile. Knowing a little about keeping your car up and running will help you to be prepared in case of emergencies. Until next time, drive safely!