Looking after your car by giving it regular maintenance and cleaning will not only keep your car on the road, but will also enable it to run as efficiently as it can as well as holding its value when it comes to re-selling. Regular maintenance is a great prevention of major engine failures and breakdowns as the smaller problems are addressed before they become a headache for you and an unexpected hit to your wallet. A good idea is to have a couple of the most common replacement auto parts to hand in your garage. This way when minor problems do occur you can repair and swap parts quickly and easily without waiting to get the car back on the road. Some of the most common auto parts you should have on hand are:- ¦Filters – Oil, Air and Fuel ¦Spark plugs ¦Brake Shoes or Pads (depending on which your car has) ¦Belts – Power steering, Air conditioner, fan belt or drive belt (depending on which your car has) Learning how to change these basic auto parts is really important. It can save your hundreds of dollars a year at the mechanics and will enable you to repair, replace and get back on the road in no time. Common car parts for most vehicles can be purchased from online saving you long queues with the kids on a busy Saturday or Sunday at the auto parts shop. Save your weekends for spending time with your family and hop online for your car parts.