Damaged windshield wiper blades can cause more harm than just streaks on your windshield. Check your wiper blades for cracks, tears and contact with the windshield. To maintain proper driver visibility, the blades should be replaced once a year or sooner if you start noticing streaks and smears on your windshield.

Under-inflation is one of the leading causes of tire failure. Check your vehicle’s owner manual for the correct inflation pressure. Under-inflated tires waste fuel and cause increased friction, which can lead to premature wear and tread separation, as well as reduced fuel efficiency.

For your own safety and others on the road – as well as avoiding a costly ticket – be sure to inspect all your lights, turn signals and emergency flashers and replace any burnt-out bulbs.

A worn engine belt can affect power steering and air conditioning. Inspect your engine belt regularly and look for cracks or missing sections.

Battery corrosion is very common and could prevent you from starting your car. Check your battery cables and posts for corrosion and clean them if needed.

Your air filter prevents dust and dirt from getting into your vehicle’s engine. Check the filter every other oil change to make sure it’s not becoming dirty and clogged.

This check is done by loosening the cap on the master cylinder and removing the lid. If fluid is needed, check your vehicle owner’s manual for the correct type, then fill to recommended level.

Correct engine oil level should be maintained to ensure proper lubrication of your vehicle’s engine. It’s best to check engine oil level about five minutes after a fully warmed-up engine is turned off or before starting the engine after it has been sitting for a longer period of time (such as overnight). Remove the engine oil dipstick, wipe the dipstick clean with a lint-free cloth or paper towel. Reinsert the dipstick until it fully seats in its tube. Then remove the dipstick and read the oil level. Add oil only when the level is at or below the ADD OIL mark.

This should be checked while the engine is running in neutral with the parking brake securely set. The transmission should be at operating temperature. Remove the dipstick, wipe clean, insert and remove again to check fluid level. (Caution: Do not overfill.)

Remove the cap of the reservoir and fill with the wash fluid solvent.

Make sure your vehicle’s engine is completely cooled then remove the radiator cap from the engine and fill with antifreeze. (Caution: ensure you’re using the recommended engine coolant identified in your owner’s manual.)

Engine oil and filters should be regularly changed – every 3,000 to 4,000 miles or 5,000 to 8,000 kilometers.

Your vehicle’s engine should be tuned up regularly – a fouled spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent. Follow the service schedule listed in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.

Your fuel filter should be changed every 10,000 miles or 15,000 kilometers. This prevents rust, dirt and other contaminants from entering the fuel system.

If your vehicle has one, this filter cleans the air that is exposed to the crankcase and the working components of the engine. It should be changed every 24,000 miles or 40,000 kilometres.

To protect the precision-crafted components of the transmission/transaxle and to remove dirt and other foreign material from the fluid, your transmission fluid and filter should be changed every 15,000 to 18,000 miles or 25,000 to 30,000 kilometers.

Driving with low fluid levels can permanently damage your vehicle’s transmission, leading to costly repairs or replacements.

Keeping this fluid at proper levels prevents excessive noise and costly repairs.

To extend the life of the moving components of your vehicle’s suspension system, your chassis should be lubricated frequently.

Your vehicle’s tires will last much longer with regular checks on the suspension system.

The vapor canister collects gas fumes from the gas tank to prevent their escape into the atmosphere, which are then burned by the engine. The vapor canister should be changed every 24,000 miles or 40,000 kilometers.