Top 5 simple secrets to car maintenance

In between lie the rest of us, relying on trusted techs for most car maintenance but still knowing how to check the oil or replace an air filter. Regardless of our interest level, all of us should be able to complete certain tasks.

Will you win a medal if you can ace them all? No, but you'll be better off if you break down on a lonely road. And you'll definitely feel less intimidated when your service advisor tells you your EGR is on the fritz or your oxygen sensors are not reacting.

You'll also keep more money in your wallet.

Some of our tips may sound insultingly simple, but read anyway. You'll be surprised by what you learn.

1. How to Fill the Tank

That's not necessarily as straighforward as you might think. Check your owner's manual for your engine's octane number. Some vehicles set off check engine lights if the wrong grade is used. Avoid rounding up the price on the pump after the first stop-click of the handle. Putting too much fuel in a tank can cause problems with its venting system as the cool gasoline from the station's underground storage tank warms up and expands in your tank. Avoid the smell of fuel on your hands by carrying a small box of disposable gloves in the car. Remember the number one cause for activating the check engine light is failure to put back the gas cap properly. With older cars, check the fuel tank filler neck for rust at the lip where the gas cap seals. A little steel wool can avoid a visit to the shop or a failed emission's test.

2. How to Check the Tire Pressure

This is a money-saving task. Get a good quality tire pressure gauge (some of the best cost less than $20). Check the pressure on all tires at least once a month and at least every second fuel fill-up in winter. Check the tires cold which means after the car has been parked for several hours. The owner's manual or the sticker on the driver's door or door jamb will tell you correct pressures, not the sidewall on the tire. Most vehicles with tire pressure sensing systems have the sensors build into the valve stems. If any excess moisture gets into the sensor, it will cause the valve to seize and that could cost $100 to repair. Correct tire pressures can improve fuel economy by 10 per cent.