AMMON - When money is tight, sometimes we let the little things go. Problem is, they could cause big problems down the line if we don't keep them in check. So AAA has given us a checklist. Lets start under the hood.

Number one, don't let that engine air filter get dirty. Jack Likes with Wally's Auto Care explains the problems it could cause. "Gets that debris right inside the motor around these bearings, starts to eat them up, and then worse case, you can look at engine replacement."

Number two, check those battery cables, clamps and terminals.
Number three, keep regular maintenance on your engine oil. Likes says, "That's really the life blood of the internal workings of the engine.

Number four, and while you're under the hood, check the windshield washer fluid. Jack says, "Snow melts, it blows up in your windshield, you can't see, you can't drive."

Number five, Check antifreeze or coolant protection. Likes says it, "protects things like the engine block from cracking, water pumps, things like that. If that were to freeze up or to slush up, it results in some pretty costly repairs. Again overlooking some simple maintenance really costs you in the long run."
Number six, check the drive belt tension. If the drive belt breaks, you could be stranded out in the Idaho cold.
Number seven, Check that brake fluid
Now that we're finished under the hood, lets check the tires. The first thing you should check is the tire pressure. Likes says, "It will result in premature tire wear also, in worse cases, could cause a blow out. So very important to make sure the tire pressure is proper to your specific vehicle and the tires that are on your vehicle."
Number nine, check the tread on your tires. If you don't have a handy little tread measurement gage, you can use a penny. Here's the rule. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, you're dead.
And finally check your windshield wiper blades so you can see.

Cost of this routine maintenance; 100 to 140 dollars. Cost to replace an engine or your car; 45-hundred dollars and up. Cost of your safety; well you can't put a price on that!

So go by your car's manual. But you can check most of these things when you have that oil changed on a regular basis.