Guide to Ultimate Subaru Maintenance in Covington, LA

If you've recently bought a Subaru, congratulations! You've just purchased a car that will last you for years to come. Subaru was named the fifth most reliable car brand in a recent study. However, that doesn't mean that you can ignore your new car. Subaru maintenance in Covington, LA is important to ensure that your vehicle will perform at peak performance. To make sure you are getting the most gas mileage and performance and to protect your warranty, there are certain things that you can do to stay on the road for a long time. Don't worry, these things are easy to do. Let's take a look at easy Subaru maintenance steps to extend the life of your car and enhance your driving experience.

Get Your Engine Flushed Every 5000 Miles

Your new Subaru needs oil to keep your engine lubricated and running smoothly. Most car owners believe that simply getting your oil changed will keep their vehicle free of the sludge that shouldn't be there. Changing the oil and the filter isn't enough, however. There will still be some leftover oil in your engine, and this oil will likely have things in it that shouldn't be there. Getting your engine flushed will make sure that all the sludge, metal shards and other things are completely out of your engine. A cleaner engine equals a better running and longer lasting car.

Flush Out Your Fuel Injection as Well

This is something that can get overlooked easily. People are in a hurry, so they go to a gas station, fill up their car, and mark another task off their to-do list. Keeping your fuel injection clean is important for several reasons. The fuel injector is what makes sure you get an even supply of fuel for your engine. If it is dirty, it can't do its job properly. This can lead to stalling, hard starting, and lower fuel mileage. With gas prices the way they are, nobody wants to lose more fuel than they have to. You should have your fuel injector cleaned once every 5000 miles as well. If you do this when you get your engine flushed it will be easy to remember and can save you frustration and money later.

Keep an Eye on Your Fluids

For the most part, people assume that their fluids are fine because they get their oil changed and that service normally comes with fluid checks. This is not a good thing at all. Every time you fill up your gas tank, go ahead and take a minute to check your fluids. Look at your oil, windshield wiper fluid, and your coolant (only check the coolant when the engine is completely cool). This will let you know if you need to top them off, or if there is something serious going on, like a leak. If you catch these things early on, you can get your car to a repair shop instead of being stranded on the side of the road. Remember, there are two main goals to proper Subaru maintenance. The first is obviously to ensure a longer life for your car. The second is to save your time and money in the long run. A regular fluid check accomplishes both things.

Check Your Tires

When you fill up on gas and check your fluids, you might as well do a quick tire inspection as well. You will want to first do a quick glance and make sure there are no foreign objects in them, such as nails. Sometimes they can get lodged in your tire and create a slow leak of air. Instead of your tire going flat right away, this can cause your tire to be flat when you go out to your car the next day. Normally, this seems to happen most often when you have an important meeting to get to. You will also need to check the air in your tires. Air loss will naturally occur over time. This can lead to lower gas mileage. It can also affect the alignment of your car, cause your check engine light to come on, and even impact your brakes. The tread needs to be checked as well. To do this, put a penny with the head facing down in between the treads (the grooves in the wall of the tire). If you can see the forehead, you will need to get new tires.