A New Year Is the Perfect Time to Take Better Care of Your Car
Most of us start the year thinking about healthier habits for ourselves, eating better, staying organized, planning ahead. What often gets overlooked is the one thing many of us rely on every single day: our car.
Breakdowns rarely happen out of nowhere. They’re usually the result of small things being ignored for too long. The good news is that a few simple routines can dramatically reduce the chances of being stuck on the side of the road.
At Fogelsong Towing, we see the end result when maintenance slips. This guide is meant to help you avoid that stress altogether, with a realistic, easy-to-follow car maintenance checklist that fits into real life, even if you’re busy.
1. A Monthly Car Care Checklist That Takes 10 Minutes
You don’t need to be a mechanic to keep your car healthy. A quick monthly car care checklist helps you spot problems early, before they turn into breakdowns.
Here’s what we recommend checking once a month:
- Tire pressure and tread: Tires naturally lose air over time. Low pressure affects handling, fuel economy, and tire life. While you’re there, do a quick tread check to make sure tires aren’t wearing unevenly.
- Engine oil level: Low or dirty oil is one of the fastest ways to damage an engine. Pull the dipstick and make sure the level is where it should be.
- Coolant, brake fluid, and washer fluid: These fluids keep your car running safely and predictably. If levels are dropping, it may point to a leak.
- Lights and wipers: Headlights, brake lights, and turn signals are safety basics. Wiper blades should clear the windshield cleanly without streaking.
Think of this as a walk-around check. It’s simple, fast, and often catches the exact issues that lead to roadside calls.
2. Healthy Driving Habits That Help Prevent Car Breakdowns
Preventive maintenance isn’t just about what you check, it’s also about how you drive and respond to warning signs.
Some habits that help prevent car breakdowns include:
- Pay attention to dashboard lights: Warning lights are early alerts, not suggestions. Ignoring them usually makes repairs more expensive later.
- Listen to changes: New noises, vibrations, or smells are your car trying to tell you something. If it feels different, it probably is.
- Don’t push the fuel tank to empty: Driving on low fuel can strain the fuel pump and pull debris into the system.
- Warm up gently: Modern cars don’t need long idling. Start the engine, give it a moment, then drive gently until it reaches normal temperature.
These small habits add up. They reduce wear, extend the life of key components, and make your car more predictable and reliable over time.
3. Prepare for Roadside Emergencies (Just in Case)
Even with great maintenance, things can still happen. Being prepared for roadside emergencies doesn’t mean expecting the worst, it means protecting yourself if something goes wrong.
Every car should have a basic roadside emergency kit that includes:
- Jumper cables or a portable jump starter
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Reflective triangles or flares
- First-aid supplies
- Phone charger or power bank
It’s also important to know how to wait safely for a tow truck if you ever need one:
- Move your vehicle out of traffic if possible
- Turn on hazard lights
- Stay inside the car if it’s unsafe to stand nearby
- Call a trusted, local towing provider
Knowing what to do ahead of time helps keep a stressful situation from becoming a dangerous one.
Healthy Car Habits Lead to Fewer Surprises
Taking better care of your car doesn’t require perfection, it just requires consistency. A simple car maintenance checklist, combined with mindful driving habits, goes a long way toward preventing breakdowns and protecting your time, safety, and budget.
And if the unexpected does happen, having a reliable local towing company already in mind makes all the difference.
At Fogelsong Towing, we’re here to help when drivers need us most, but we’re just as happy helping you avoid that call altogether. Start the year with healthy car habits, and give yourself one less thing to worry about every time you turn the key.