Car Tip of the Week: Inspect wheel-well splash guards this winter.

These guards are vital in helping to keep water and winter’s salty slush from splashing up into the engine compartment, where it can damage sensitive electrical components. Unfortunately, these guards can tear off and become damaged easily, and often without you even knowing it. This is why we recommend you check for damage to these guards each time you wash your car. If you find they are damaged or loose during your inspection, be sure to re-secure them with the appropriate fasteners or replace as needed. As added protection from splashed-up muck, slush, and debris, you can also install mud flaps on your larger vehicles.

Car Tip of the Week: Top off your brake fluid.

Check brake fluid monthly. Wipe dirt from the master cylinder lid before you open it. If you need fluid, add the type recommended by your car’s maker. Never substitute other fluids, such as transmission or power-steering fluid. And don’t use brake fluid from a previously opened container. Once exposed to air, brake fluid absorbs moisture and contaminates easily.

Car Tip of the Week: Regularly test your drive-belt tension.

Belts that are too tight can wear out the bearings in accessory components, such as AC compressor, water pump, and power-steering pump. Belts that are too loose will wear out faster and may fail prematurely. Perform your examination before you start the car to avoid injury due to a hot belt or moving engine part. Check for tension by pressing in the center of the belt’s longest exposed run while holding a ruler next to it. If you can depress the belt 1/ 2 to 1 inch, but not more or less, the tension is good. If not, adjust the belt tension yourself according to your car’s service manual, or have your dealer or auto repair service do it.

Car Tip of the Week: Change your vehicle’s oil frequently to improve overall life.

Your dad knew that frequent oil changes were the key to keeping his Buick on the road another year. And while owner’s manuals for today’s cars recommend increasing long intervals between oil changes, the fact remains — frequent changes flush abrasive dirt and metal particles out of the engine, prolonging its life. Most owners’ manuals recommend a more frequent interval for “severe conditions.” To maximize the life of your engine, follow the severe intervals recommendations, especially if drive regularly in stop-and-go traffic.