Perform Your Own
Automobile Maintenance
by: David Maillie
Today’s cars can typically be expected to pass the 200,000 mile mark
with consistent automobile maintenance. With the price of automobiles, you
will want to protect that investment by performing regular maintenance. If
you can do much of the work yourself, you will save a lot of money in
labor. Invest in a good set of tools and choose quality parts when
performing your own automobile maintenance.
If you have some skill, but want to learn more look for courses in
general repairs and maintenance. These can often be found at your local
community center, Community College or an automotive technical school in
your area. Consider investing in a good repair manual for your car, such
as a Chilton’s manual. The internet is a good place to look for articles
and information. There are many sites devoted to auto repair and
maintenance.
You will want to keep track of all maintenance performed on your car.
You can do this in a log, a notebook or on your home computer. There is
software available to help you keep track of maintenance. These programs
track repairs, maintenance, replacement parts used on the vehicle and fuel
consumption. You can use the same software for multiple vehicles.
Most software allows you to create a service schedule and will remind
you when it’s time to perform maintenance tasks on each vehicle in your
household. The software contains a wide variety of tips for car care. In
addition, many have reference and diagnostic tools to help you diagnose
various problems with your cars. Many companies offer a free trial that
can be downloaded on the internet. This allows you to try out the program
before investing your money.
Your owner’s manual will give you some basic information about when
certain maintenance tasks should be done. Most tasks will be listed
according to the mileage on the car.
3000 Mile Maintenance
Change the oil in your engine every 3000 miles. The filter should be
changed at the same time. Newer synthetic oils are said to last longer
without breaking down. When you change the oil, check the fluids, the air
filter, tires, hoses and belts. At this time check the battery cables and
terminals for corrosion. This can be removed with a wire brush or
sandpaper.
5000-10,000 Miles:
Have your tires rotated and balanced every five to ten thousand miles.
This helps the tires wear evenly and extends the life. The best tires
should be put in the front of the car. Check the tire pressure regularly
and check the tread for signs of uneven wear or damage.
15,000 Miles:
Change the air filter every 15,000 miles. A clean air filter improves
the fuel economy of your car. A dirty air filter can cause the engine to
run rough and stall. At this time you should also check the pads and shoes
on your brake system. Check the brake fluid and top it of, as needed. The
fluid should be clear. If you notice noise when the brakes are applied or
the steering wheel shakes or vibrates, this can be an indication that the
brakes need replacing. In this case, don’t wait check the brakes and
replace as needed.
30,000 Miles:
Check the fluid level on your transmission. The owner’s manual will
have information about the kind of fluid that should be used in your car.
The manual should have directions on how to drain and replace the fluid.
The pan gasket should be changed when the fluid is drained. Also at this
time, give the car a tune up. Replace all spark plugs and wires.
50,000 Miles:
Change the coolant at 50,000 miles. See the owner’s manual for
directions on how to perform this task.
Remember to take care of your car’s finish. You want the paint to
remain in good condition for as long as possible. Wash the car regularly,
even in the winter when salt from the roads can ruin the finish. Apply wax
to protect the paint from the sun, salt and weather conditions. Don’t
neglect the headlights, which can become cloudy and won’t operate as well.
New Lite Headlight Cleaner and Restorer will return cloudy headlights to
like new condition. Learn more about this product at
http://www.mdwholesale.com
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Researched and Recompiled by
Alan MacLeod
www.cafbastore.com