5 Things You Need to Know About Your Car

With all of that money you put into keeping your car running, it's essential to make sure that you know it inside and out. You may be surprised at how much you don't know about your car, and in the past, may have considered it a little bit overwhelming.

However, as long as you know the basics, you can get by. Let's check out five things you need to know about your car.

1.     VIN

'What is a VIN?' I hear you ask. Well, VIN is short for Vehicle Identification Number. This is basically your car's barcode, and it helps mechanics figure out things like the size of your engine, the date it was manufactured, and the place as well.

Your car will have the same VIN throughout its entire life, and while it is a good idea to know where you can find it, you won't need to know it off by heart. Typically, the VIN can be located between the windshield and the dashboard.

2.     It Can be Collateral

Have you just received a bunch of bills, and you're wondering how you're going to cover them until the next payday? You may not realize, but you can actually take a loan out against the value of your car. It's called a car title loan, and as long as you are the owner and the cash you need is less than the value of the car, you can get a loan.

This is a great way to get cash quick for various things like bills and tax payments.

3.     Maintenance Schedule

If you want to make sure your car can run for a long time, it's best to stick to its maintenance schedule as best you can.

You may find this in your manual, and it's going to be able to tell you things like when you should be changing the oil, and when it's time to rotate the tires again. The better you are at staying on top of this, the longer your car will run for.

4.     Tire Pressure

Speaking of tires, they're super important when it comes to things like pressure and maintenance. However, it's easy to forget about them completely - often until we have a flat tire on the side of the road.

There are many reasons to stay on top of your car's tire pressure. For a start, better tire pressure will help you save fuel, and it can also keep your tires in good condition too. Tires are an expensive part of your car, which means you want to replace them as little as possible. Knowing your tire's pressure can prevent them from wearing out faster.

5.     Engine Light

You may go into full panic mode when you see the engine light appear on your dashboard, but it's nothing to worry about. In fact, it's your cars' way of keeping itself in check.

While the meaning of the engine light is going to depend on the make and model of your car, it's important to consult your manual so that you know exactly what it means when you see it.

Whether you've had your car for years or you just bought it, the more you know about it, the better it will run. Start with our list, and you'll be on the road for a lot longer.