Regular auto maintenance is important if you want to keep your car running smoothly. Certain parts wear out or cause damage if they are not checked or replaced regularly. Periodic maintenance work should be done on the oil, radiator, tires and timing belt. While most of these things can be done by yourself, having a good mechanic is just as vital as saving those few extra bucks.

Keeping your engine oil running clean is imperative, since low levels or dirty oil can damage the engine and cause major expenses. Oil should be changed every 3,000 miles regardless of the color and consistency.  Check the dipstick every two weeks or so. If the oil is sludgy, black or low on the dipstick, then the oil needs to be replaced. Always use a consistent oil weight that can be checked in the car's manual. Replace the filter after draining the oil. This process is easy to do at home and only costs 20 dollars for the required oil and 10 for the filter.

The cooling system regulates how hot the vehicle runs. A cooling system that hasn't been cleaned or changed will end up getting dirty and clogged. The radiator will stop working correctly and that can lead to the car breaking down on the side of the road, smoke pouring out from under the hood. Therefore, the radiator needs to be kept clean and full of fresh coolant. Coolant is inexpensive and the process is simple, so the whole procedure can be done easily at the beginning of every season, or four or five times throughout the year. Make sure that you don't flush out the radiator until the car has completely cooled down, since hot coolant can cause painful burns.

While tires and timing belts can be checked and monitored at home, a mechanic should be considered for replacing the timing belt and rotating or replacing the tires. The timing belt is just a big strip of rubber that can snap and ruin the engine if it isn't replaced according to the manual's predictive schedule. Most should be replaced every 60,000 miles. Tires should be monitored for low pressure and punctures. Rotate or replace the tires every two or three years.

Keeping your car tuned is easy if you follow a regular maintenance schedule. Take care of the easy projects to save yourself the money, but entrust the more complicated processes with the professionals.