Every car owner knows their vehicle needs regular maintenance but there is a difference between knowing that it's necessary and actually pushing yourself to do it. You can keep your vehicle in good shape with a regular trip to the local auto repair shop for a maintenance appointment, but you can also do some things on your own if you want to take better care of the car or just save some money when compared to taking it to the shop. Here are some preventative vehicle maintenance tasks you can tackle on your own without too much trouble.

Check the Tire Pressure and Adjust As Needed at Every Fill-Up

Most gas stations have tire pressure pumps and some will even let you use those pumps for free. The tire gauge tells you how much pressure is currently in the tire and you can then use the pump to fill the tire back up to its recommended amount of pressure. By keeping your tires at the right pressure, you will reduce wear and tear and you may also slow or avoid the development of problems with your alignment. Tires that are at the right pressure will also respond better on the road, making you a safer driver.

Change Your Oil and Filter to Prolong Engine Life

An oil change can be tackled by a professional in relatively short order, but this is also a task that you can learn to do yourself. Either ask a friend that already knows how or watch a video or two online. You'll have to get down under the car to drain the old oil, so make sure you wear older clothes and bring a pan to drain the oil into. Too many car owners go longer than they should between oil changes, but if you can do it yourself, you'll be able to keep up with a regular schedule without having to find time to take the car to a shop.

Simply Lift the Hood and Take a Look; Make Adjustments If Needed

It doesn't cost you anything at all to just glance at the engine block under the hood and take a look around for anything that might lead to future trouble. For example, if your car's battery has corrosion building up on it, a little baking soda will take care of that before it stops your engine from starting. You can also inspect all hoses or tubes and make sure nothing looks loose or out of place. You can top off your transmission fluid if it's low and so on. If there's anything that doesn't look like a quick fix, contact a repair shop for help.