More than 25,000 people died in car accidents in 2012, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports. Everybody knows performing basic car maintenance tasks is a vital part of staying safe on the road—we don’t need another statistic to prove it, we just need to do it. Below is a list of important car maintenance tasks and a couple apps to help you remember to do them.

Common Car Maintenance Tasks

• Change the brake pads. Your brake pads press the brake calipers against your tires to stop your car, and they take the brunt of the stopping force in the process. If you don’t replace them when they’re worn, they will increasingly have a harder time stopping the car, and eventually they will fail. When you begin to hear a scraping or grinding noise, it’s time to change your brake pads.
• Check tire tread. Bald tires can’t grip the road well and could lead to an accident. You can check how much tread you have left using a tread depth gauge, or you could try the penny or quarter test. If you live in an area where winter lows are regularly below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, experts recommend you buy a special set of winter tires. These provide improved traction and handling on snow and ice.
• Replace belts on schedule. Your car’s manual will tell you how often belts need to be replaced; a general rule is every 40,000 miles for your serpentine belt and every 60,000 miles for your timing belt. When your car approaches these mileage limits, have your mechanic check out the belts. If they’re still in good shape, you don’t need to replace them. If they are worn, replacing them now prevents on-the-road failure and damage to your vehicle.
• Make sure the windshield wipers work. When your windshield wipers age, they can’t clean the windshield as well. This reduces visibility in rain, sleet and snow, just when you need it most, and can pose a danger to your safety and other drivers’ safety, too.

Try These Car Maintenance Apps

Several car-care apps help automate your car care. Free apps to download include:

• Car Maintenance Reminder Lite. This Android app enables you to log your services, like oil changes and gas fill-ups. Manage one car or a fleet of then, export your data to a CSV file and view auto maintenance records at a glance.
• RepairPal. This app can help you get an idea of how much a car repair should cost and point you toward vetted mechanics, which is especially useful if you break down on the road or in a new city. When you have an idea of how much the repair should cost, you’ll know if you’re being overcharged.

Need Financing for a New Ride?

Wait! Before you go to the dealership to take advantage of these events, be sure to lock in your financing beforehand. Getting auto financing, regardless of your credit history is a breeze at OpenRoad Lending. You can apply and get a loan decision back in just a few minutes. From there, download your low rate car loan package and you are on your way to buying the car or truck of your dreams. Not in the market now for a new or used car? Consider refinancing an existing auto loan. On average, consumers are saving over $100 per month on their car loan payments. It’s just a few clicks away… you will be glad you did.

Shopping for your next new car can be easier than finding the proverbial pot of gold: Just visit www.OpenRoadLending.com to receive eligible incentives and upfront guaranteed savings off MSRP (in most states). You can shop with confidence at a Certified Dealer and experience a hassle-free shopping experience.