Back to the Basics: 5 Simple Car Care Habits Every Driver Should Know
About this episode
Nile MotorMouth Jenkins argues that keeping a car for the long haul is mostly about simple, repeatable habits—not replacing vehicles every 3–5 years. He frames planned obsolescence as a money game between banks and automakers, then pivots to practical “back to the basics” maintenance. The episode includes a quick tech tip on wiper blades (not just for rain) and promises five straightforward checks drivers can do to avoid weird noises, breakdowns, and unnecessary repair costs. Expect a mix of humor, real shop experience, and money-saving guidance.
IA Few Minutes each week can help prevent expensive surprises.
Vehicle ownership doesn't have to be intimidating .In this episode, we cover five simple car care habits every driver can learn: Checking your engine oil level, topping up windshield washer fluid, checking tire pressures, and becoming more familiar with your vehicle. These basic skills can build your confidence, Improve safety, and give greater peace of mind every time you get behind the wheel🚗
#BackToBasics #carCareTips #VehicleOwnership
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monthly payments
"you're not in partnership with any kind of lending institution making monthly [707.9s] payments trading time for money and paying the bank's interest"
Monthly payments are the regular amounts you pay each month when you finance a car. The host is arguing that once a car is paid off, you avoid those payments and the extra interest.
Monthly payments are the recurring installments you make on an auto loan or financing agreement. The host contrasts being “paid off” (no monthly payments) with being in a financing arrangement that includes interest costs.
Toyota FJ Cruiser
"i don't blame you i did the same thing you know i worked my tail off when i bought the fj cruiser [817.8s] paid it off in a year yeah it almost killed me"
The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a tough, off-road-friendly SUV with a classic look. Here, the host is using it as an example of a car they bought and paid off fast so they wouldn’t have ongoing monthly payments.
The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a rugged, retro-styled SUV known for its body-on-frame construction and off-road capability. In this segment, it’s mentioned as a vehicle the host bought, paid off quickly, and used while avoiding additional car loans.
Honda crv
"and i needed to be able to tow something tow the trailer and uh the boat [854.2s] with uh the Honda crv was not going to cut it but yet you know what i missed that vehicle today"
The Honda CR-V is a popular SUV that’s meant for everyday driving. In this story, the host says it wasn’t big enough for their towing needs, but they still liked it and later talked about owning one for a long time.
The Honda CR-V is a compact crossover SUV known for practical everyday usability and strong long-term ownership reputation. Here it’s specifically tied to towing limitations (the host says it “was not going to cut it” for their needs) and later to a real ownership story involving a high-mileage example.
towing
"and i needed to be able to tow something tow the trailer and uh the boat [854.2s] with uh the Honda crv was not going to cut it"
Towing means pulling a trailer or boat behind your vehicle. The host is saying their Honda CR-V wasn’t strong enough for what they needed to pull.
Towing is pulling a trailer behind a vehicle, which requires enough engine power, drivetrain capability, and—most importantly—proper towing capacity. The host says the Honda CR-V “was not going to cut it” for towing a trailer and a boat, implying the vehicle wasn’t suited to their load.
four-wheel drives
"still because it was a real time four-wheel drives the first Honda i ever personally owned [868.6s] and i sold it at 239 000 miles"
Four-wheel drive means the car can send power to all four wheels to help it grip better. The host is saying their Honda CR-V was especially capable for getting around reliably.
Four-wheel drive (4WD) is a drivetrain setup where power can be sent to both the front and rear axles for better traction. The host calls the CR-V a “real time four-wheel drive,” using it to explain why it was useful for events and daily driving.
less is more
"it's basic it's it's not got a ton of thrills and frills and that's you know less [922.1s] is more it is it really is less is more the more gadgetry the more problems it's that simple"
“Less is more” is the host’s philosophy that simpler vehicles—fewer features and less gadgetry—tend to be easier to maintain and less likely to create problems. In car care terms, it’s an argument for choosing setups that are straightforward to clean, operate, and own.
Renault Wind
"....05 of an inch so 67 degrees right now and cloudy wind is making it feel cooler about 66 degrees rainy c..."
The Renault Wind is a small car designed to feel more open to the air than a normal closed car. It’s made for short trips and casual driving, with a design that’s meant to be fun in good weather. The podcast mentions it in the same breath as the weather, which matches that idea.
The Renault Wind is a small, budget-oriented car from Renault that’s built around a distinctive two-seat, open-top design. It’s the kind of vehicle that tends to get mentioned in everyday driving conversations because it changes how the car feels in different weather conditions. In the podcast snippet, it’s referenced alongside weather talk, which fits the Wind’s focus on open-air driving.
motor oil
"could you learn a few automotive maintenance basics checking your own motor oil instead of [1982.3s] you know the kids hop in and they go if that's what you do that's what you're teaching them"
Motor oil is what keeps the engine parts from grinding against each other. Checking it helps you make sure there’s enough oil so the engine doesn’t get damaged.
Motor oil is the lubricant inside an engine that reduces friction between moving parts and helps carry heat away. Checking it helps you catch low oil levels before engine wear or damage happens.
washer fluid
"number three could you check learn to check and fill your own washer [2001.5s] fluid jug do you know where it is do you know how to open the hood these are just some basics"
Washer fluid is the cleaner that sprays onto your windshield. If you know where it is and how to refill it, you’ll be able to keep the windshield clear.
Washer fluid is the liquid used by your windshield washer system to clean dirt and grime from the glass. Knowing where the reservoir is and how to refill it prevents visibility problems.
hood
"fluid jug do you know where it is do you know how to open the hood these are just some basics [2009.3s] number four could you learn to check your own tire pressures"
The hood is the cover you lift to get to the engine area. If you can open it, you can check things like oil and windshield washer fluid.
The hood is the exterior panel you open to access the engine bay. Knowing how to open it is the first step for checking fluids like motor oil and washer fluid.
tire pressures
"number four could you learn to check your own tire pressures if you're watching our youtube videos [2018.9s] you go all the way back to the beginning i'll show you how to do all that stuff it's all on video"
Tire pressure is how much air is in your tires. Checking it helps your tires wear evenly and keeps the car handling safely.
Tire pressure is the amount of air in your tires, measured in PSI. Checking it matters because too-low pressure can reduce grip and increase tire wear, while too-high pressure can make the ride harsher and reduce contact with the road.
o-ring
"you're either every time there's something wrong with it you're going to blow a [2133.8s] gasket that's not replaceable burst an o-ring then you don't have a spare or could you do the basics"
An o-ring is a small rubber seal that helps stop leaks. If it fails, important fluids can leak out and cause serious problems.
An o-ring is a rubber sealing ring used to prevent leaks where two parts meet. If an o-ring bursts or fails, fluid can escape and the vehicle may become inoperable.
gasket
"you're either every time there's something wrong with it you're going to blow a [2133.8s] gasket that's not replaceable burst an o-ring then you don't have a spare or could you do the basics"
A gasket is a seal that keeps fluids and gases from leaking. If it fails, the engine can start running poorly or even get damaged.
A gasket is a sealing component that prevents fluids or gases from leaking between engine parts. If a gasket fails, it can lead to overheating, loss of fluids, or major engine damage.
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