Preventive Vehicle Maintenance: Basic Monthly Checklist for Drivers in Colombia

When you’re riding for a living, your car is your greatest asset next to your driving skills. It ensures that you’ll always be available to provide safe services to passengers in Colombia. And with a comfortable ride, they’re more likely to tip.

So, make car maintenance a top priority. Consider this your monthly checklist to keep your ride in top condition.

Make sure that the tires are properly and equally inflated based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. By doing this, you’ll be sure to:

• Get equal traction on all four tires so that one won’t get worn out before the rest.
• Maximize fuel efficiency, so you spend less on fuel.
• Prolong the tire’s lifespan, which you’ll be avoiding when you don’t overinflate.

Check the threading of your tires as well. If they’re too worn out, you may have trouble with deceleration, especially on wet roads.

Fluids are crucial in ensuring that the car runs smoothly. Here are the most important ones:

• Engine oil, which limits the friction among different parts of the engine.
• Coolant that helps regulate the temperature of your engine, which is especially important in the hot weather in Colombia.
• Brake fluid that ensures your brake system responds well.
• Transmission fluid that protects the car’s transmission so that shifting gears is always smooth.
• Windshield washer fluid that helps you clean your windshield, allowing you to maintain visibility in rainy or dusty environments.
• Power steering fluid that allows you to steer smoothly, since your power steering is working perfectly.

Except for engine oil, all these only need to be topped off to the optimal level. If any of them appear to drain more quickly than normal, check for leaks. Meanwhile, you should also have the engine oil changed based on the interval specified in your vehicle’s manual.

If you’re mostly getting passengers from hilly cities in Colombia, such as Medellin and Bogota, pay special attention to your brakes. Address any squeaks or reduced responsiveness right away.

And to help keep you safe and comply with local laws, make sure all lights are functional. This isn’t just about your headlights and taillights. The tail lights and internal lights should also turn on and off as intended.

As for the battery, check the terminals for corrosion. Weak starts can also quickly translate to your car stopping in the middle of a trip. See if jumpstarting will resolve the issue or if the battery already needs replacing.