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Oil changes alone won't keep your car running well, and forgetting these essentials will keep your car in the shop instead of the road.

Maintenance is more than making sure to do regular oil changes. The car is a complex system of parts that rely on the proper function of all the other elements to produce a harmonic piece of machinery. It can be easy to forget to check any one of these vital systems, especially in the chaos of the modern day. Keeping the car in working order can mean one less stressor despite our hectic lives.

Neglecting any one of these maintenance tips, on the other hand, can end up adding stress to your life. In addition to the increased stress, many of the parts that end up damaged and need replacing cost an arm and a leg, which should be motivation enough to keep every aspect of the car in tip-top shape!

Related: These Are The 10 Most Common Car Maintenance Misconceptions

The moment of panic that sets in when the low fuel light goes off shouldn't be brushed off so quickly. Not only do you run the risk of running out entirely, but the fuel pump can also fail! While pulling into a gas station will solve the immediate problem, ignoring your car's need for fuel frequently can cause some severe damage.

The Fuel pump relies on gas for both cooling and lubrication. Without gas in the tank, the fuel pump must work harder, causing unnecessary wear and tear on the vital component. Additionally, a busted fuel pump could end up costing thousands, according to Repair Pal.

Once upon a time, manual transmissions ruled the car world. Parking in a manual meant using the handbrake to ensure the car stays put. Though manuals have almost totally disappeared, e-brakes and parking brakes have not. This inclusion is because using the e-brake or parking brake is meant to maintain your car, too!

While in park, some pressures are applied to both the transmission and the CV joints to prevent the car from rolling away. Using the parking brake or e-brake will relieve some of this pressure on these components, saving considerable money down the line. Transmissions, for example, average $2,600 according to Repair Pal, and CV joints are several hundreds of dollars.

The old rule of thumb is to change the oil every 3,000 miles. A lot has changed since this rule began to circulate, and one of the most significant changes has been the frequency of oil changes. Modern cars can go several thousands more miles without needing an oil change, but many vehicles need a top-off now and again.

Every engine requires a specific viscosity or weight of oil to function correctly. Topping off with the wrong oil can be devastating to your engine. Using a weight that doesn't match the engine's requirements can cause leaks, noises, lousy fuel economy, oil burning, and worst-case - total engine failure.

Related: 10 Important Car Maintenance Services You Should Have Done Yearly

Pumping fuel has been a financial burden for motorists since the dawn of the automobile. What's worse is that fuel can cause damage to the engine if you don't follow proper maintenance. In fact, even pumping dirty or off-brand fuel can cause unintended dirt or build-up that can damage fuel pumps and injectors.

We live in an age with many fuel options, but knowing what fuel your car takes is critical. Putting diesel or E-85 into a petrol engine can destroy it. The same is true with the other fuel types. While we don't think someone would intentionally put the wrong fuel in the car, paying attention at the pump is still essential. Accidents happen, but this one can be costly!

The right tires can be more impactful for performance, but neglecting to swap them out for winter tires causes accidents or damage to your car. Summer tires in the winter have reduced grip leading to poor handling, which is made worse in poor conditions such as ice or snow.

What's not so obvious is the reverse. Forgetting to swap out winter tires for summer or all seasons can lead to increased wear, decreased handling, performance, and fuel economy. Plus, buying new tires every year gets costly quickly!

Related: $7 Million Hermes Pagani Huayra Carries Hefty Maintenance Costs

Car washes aren't only to keep the car looking nice on the road but also serve to prevent costly damage to the exterior of your vehicle. Streets are incredibly filthy, with dirt and oil, among other abrasive agents creating a film that damages paint, seals, and even the frame!

Skipping out on the car wash may feel like a badge of off-road glory, but the damage can cost thousands. Many areas near the sea have salty road conditions, which leads to rust. Even places away from the ocean are affected by acidic conditions, which cause corrosion to the frame, body, and paint. These factors can give you the excuse you need to keep your ride nice and clean!

It can be hard to remember every bit of required maintenance with so many components. Filters are another afterthought that can get costly or impact your health. Cabin filters, for example, are cheap, improve performance fuel economy, and lead to a fresh cabin for passengers.

In addition to the air filters, fuel filters, which catch impurities, need replacing every 50,000 to 60,000 miles, according to Repair Pal. Old filters fail to catch sediments and gunk, reaching the engine. Worst case scenario, the engine goes. This repair can cost upwards of $8,000.

While it's easy to remember checking the oil, it isn't so easy to remember to check all the other fluids that your car needs. Liquids such as transmission fluid (or gear oil for manuals), brake fluid, coolant, washer fluid, and power steering fluid must be checked frequently.

Neglecting any one of these vital fluid levels can result in some pricey repairs. A transmission, for example, averages $2,600 to replace, according to Repair Pal. Further, a brake system replacement can cost $1,000, and a new radiator will set you back an average of $700.

Related: Check Out These Low-Maintenance Sports Cars Even We Can Afford

The proper alignment for your car is critical to keeping components from wearing early. Potholes and curbs can damage the alignment and suspension, so avoiding both are crucial in saving these parts from damage.

Should a pothole or curb be hit, fixing the damage right away can save you from poor ride quality and handling. Further, forgetting this maintenance impacts performance fuel economy and leads to thousands of accidents every year, according to Repair Pal.

Modifications are a great way to use transportation as a means of expression. It is essential to keep in mind, then, how these modifications may impact performance down the line. Using aftermarket parts that are not approved or exceed the car's capabilities can cause engine and transmission damage.

Should aftermarket mods be installed, checking to see how they impact other components is also vital in avoiding collateral damage. Further, exterior mods hurt resale value, so that dumb spoiler could end up costing a lot more than what the mod cost! Nothing is worse than being stranded in an excellent car.

Michael Stroup is a seasoned automotive author with experience in SUVs, Trucks, and JDM sports cars. He credits his passion to gearhead friends and active involvement with car-related ghostwriting assignments. You can find Michael in the mountains, where he dedicates time to snowboarding, hiking, or off-roading!