We found this handy list of the 5 must-have skills every car owner should have over at E3’s website. It turns out that they know more than just how to build a sweet spark plug, and it’s good for everyone that wheels a car anywhere, anytime. Most of it is good common sense, but hey, we can all use a reminder now and then, right? If you’re the guy that thinks all a car needs to run well is to change the blinker fluid regularly, well, you are simply helpless anyway. For the other 99% of you, read on!
- Change a Flat Tire – Who needs AAA when you’ve got two hands, a jack, a lug wrench and a sparkling clean white shirt? As a helpful tip, check the air in the spare once a month.
- Jump Start a Car – It’ll get you back on the road in no time. Plus, if you’re the one with the running car, it’s a great way to play hero to that cutie in the parking lot giving you the damsel-in-distress look. Just be sure that you don’t confuse the positive and the negative, as it’s tough to get a date from someone you’ve helped after frying their alternator.
- Change an Air Filter – This usually gets done when you take your car in for an oil change, but you’ll want to double check with your mechanic. A clogged air filter can cause your once-strong ride to be sluggish or, worse, to overheat and cause more serious – and potentially expensive – problems.
- Check the Oil and Transmission Fluid – If the oil line on your dipstick (OK, stop giggling – We’re all adults here) is below the minimum line, get it changed ASAP. If it’s over the max line, the additional pressure could blow a gasket. If the transmission fluid is below the cold line on the dipstick (Oh, for Pete’s sake, stop laughing), your fluid is low. This can mean trouble maneuvering your car and lead to a transmission failure. Experts say nine of ten transmission failures are due to skipping regular fluid and filter changes – an expensive and totally needless fail. This one is completely cake. Check the fluids each time you fill up with gas, and you’re golden.
- Change the Spark Plugs – Slacking on this one can create poor combustion, dirty up your oxygen sensors and clog your catalytic converter. Luckily, we can help you with this one. If you haven’t already, switching to E3 spark plugs will give your car, truck or motorcycle a stronger, cleaner and more economical ride.