September is National Preparedness Month, making it the perfect time to improve your car care habits.
What are the Three P's of Car Care?
Nobody likes paying out their hard-earned money toward car repairs. Unfortunately, they are an unavoidable part of car ownership. However, there are ways to curb those costs if you practice appropriate car care. The Car Care Council wants people to "Be Car Care Aware" this September by practicing the three P's of auto care. 
- Preventative:
Regular preventative maintenance is a great way to save money on future repairs and to keep your car running smoothly. These are the basic things that need to be done that can't be ignored, like changing your oil, checking your tire pressure, changing the windshield wipers, making sure your battery is clean, getting your tires rotated and checking your spark plugs. Doing these preemptive maintenance tasks will prevent big problems from coming up. Read your owner's manual for specific manufacturer-suggested instructions on what you should change and when. - Proactive:
Having a proactive mindset towards car care will prevent breakdowns and help reduce unexpected repair costs. Following your manual's instructions, have routine checkups to make sure your vehicle's vital systems are working properly. Early detection of a problem will result in big savings. Also, this means practicing certain season-specific car care habits before the weather turns, like making sure your battery is ready for those frigid winter temperatures. - Prepared:
Ensuring that your vehicle is in tip-top condition also means that you need to have it equipped with certain necessities so you will be better prepared if you encounter a problem while you're on the road. Make sure you always have the following things stored away just in case: A spare tire, jack and tire iron, jumper cables, a first-aid kit, a flashlight, a map (yes, the paper kind), a space blanket, non-perishable food, water, and an ice scraper for those in cold climates. You should always be prepared for the worst-case scenario.
The three P's of car care make sure that your vehicle is ready for the unexpected at all times.
Is it Time for an Upgrade?
If your car is in such poor shape that the three P's can't even save it, it might be time for an upgrade. At Auto Credit Express, we've been helping people with damaged credit find affordable financing for close to 20 years. If you fill out our online auto loan application, we'll get to work finding a dealer who can hook you up with a safe vehicle!
