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Archive for the ‘Car Maintenance’ Category

Buying a new car, if it is a financially viable option, has a number of advantages over buying a used one. For one thing, it means that your car has a resale value should you be looking to trade it in at some point. Secondly, there is something quite rewarding about the feel of owning and driving a new car. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, there is the matter of maintenance.

Used cars have a lower price in no small part because wear and tear happens as a matter of course. Eventually there will be a need to repair some of this damage, but as you will no doubt have heard, a car loses value from the moment you drive it off the forecourt at the sales lot. This is standard depreciation – once you use a car, you are making it do work which places a strain on it – and without regular services will eventually become problematic. Therefore you should not be tricked into thinking that because your car is new, it will not need any maintenance for a while. Regular and fairly basic maintenance every so often is hugely preferable to major corrective action when the cumulative faults suffered by the car become too serious to bear.

A lot of the problems suffered by cars both new and used could be avoided with a bit of regular maintenance. After all, the word “maintenance” comes from the verb “to maintain” – meaning to keep something as it is. Rather than allowing your car to drop to a level from which it needs to be cured, maintenance means that it stays at the optimum level for driving and does not need so many repairs in order to be safely and comfortably driveable. Regular checking of the oil and the filters in the engine – and changes of these to keep it running smoothly – are the basic minimum that is advisable. These are simple processes that will become second nature pretty soon.

Keeping your engine clean is also an essential element of new car maintenance. This does not need to be done extremely frequently. In fact, every 18 months to two years should be ample. This will allow the engine to “breathe”, and stop it holding in heat which will compromise the car’s performance.

Some years back, when doctors (or physicians as they were then called) checked up on a human patient, they would address the issue of “humors” – essential bodily fluids that could, they believed, give the important clues around the cause of a patient’s illness. That was at best partially true, but in a motor vehicle there are several fluids that can be checked as a diagnostic measure or just as part of a tune-up. Brake fluid, transmission and power steering are all major elements of how to keep a vehicle running at its optimum level. Checking that the vehicle has enough of each, that they are clean and functioning as they should be, will allow you to run a motor vehicle in the way it should be running for longer.

Cold weather is coming and in some northern states is already here. That means it’s time to winterize your car.

Vehicle maintenance is something we don’t think about unless there’s a problem, but regular maintenance and routine inspection can prevent unnecessary breakdowns and expenses. Although there are some maintenance items that must be done by a professional, there are some simple things you can either check at home or schedule to have done routinely.

Fluids

Windshield washer fluid is held in a reservoir under the hood that is usually very easy to get to. If you live in a mild climate you may fill the reservoir with water and a little mild dishwashing detergent. However, if you live in a cold climate, water may freeze and burst the container, so be sure to use a windshield washer solvent instead. The same goes for your radiator, use a quality antifreeze mixed with water and use an antifreeze tester to make sure the mixture will hold to the lowest temperature possible for your area.

Keeping your oil and oil filter changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles can add years of life to your car. Dirty oil cuts down on gas mileage and causes unnecessary friction on engine parts. Make sure you change the oil filter every time you change the oil. Check the oil level between changes especially on cars with high mileage. If you let the oil get low you could blow your engine and have to pay serious money for a rebuild. Some people prefer to change their oil at home, but since some people do not have an appropriate (safe, flat surface) place or tools to do an oil change, it’s easier to take it to one of those places that do it while you wait. It only takes about 15 minutes and costs about $20 to $25 so grab a sandwich and a good book then have your oil changed during your lunch hour.

Brake Fluid weakens with exposure to air and moisture and needs to be replaced periodically. Unless you know what you are doing, I recommend you take it to a mechanic and have your brake fluid changed when have new brake pads installed about every 40,000 miles. It’s a good idea to have the transmission fluid checked when you change brake pads.

Tires

Tire pressure should be checked once a month. Be sure to check the tires when the car hasn’t been driven for at least three hours. Look in your owner’s manual or on the inside of the door jam for the manufacturers recommended air pressure. You will need an air pressure gauge which is available for a few dollars at any auto supply store.. Take the valve cap off the tire and place the end of the tire gauge over the valve. Press the gauge straight and firmly until the scale in the center of the gauge pops out. If the scale shows less pressure than your manufacturer recommends, you should take your vehicle to a service (gas) station where there is an air machine. You will again remove the cap from the valve and use the air hose to fill the tire a few puffs at the time and recheck between puffs to make sure you have reached the desired pressure without overfilling.

To check the tread on your tires you will need a penny. Stand Abe Lincoln on his head between each row of tread of your tire. If any of Abe’s head is hidden, you have sufficient tread. You will need to check all the way around the tire not just in one position. Conduct this test on all your tires even the spare in your trunk. The most common cause for irregular wear patterns on a tire is due to one of three things:

1. Not having the correct amount of air in your tire

2. Not having the tires rotated and balanced.

3. The front end of your car is out of alignment.

Tires should be rotated every 5,000 miles or sooner if you car’s manufacturer recommends it. The alignment can be checked at the same time.

Vehicle maintenance is really not that hard once you understand the basics and it doesn’t take that much time to do a few simple tests.

Every car owner should take care to regularly perform car care maintenance. This is because routine maintenance will do more than just prolong the life of the vehicle. It also improves the car’s performance and saves owners a great deal of money by preventing costly damage.

The meaning of routine care is tricky to define. This is because each car manufacturer offers different services at different time intervals. They do this in order to prevent the warranty from becoming void. The best way to determine which items will need routine service on the vehicle is to read the owner’s manual, which gives valuable information on car care maintenance.

Some parts are important to routinely service, regardless of the type of vehicle. These are parts essential to the vehicle’s condition. An oil change is one example of this. An oil change helps to keep the engine in good condition, and prevents any serious problems in the future. Many car manufacturers recommend that owners get oil changes every three thousand miles.

The windshield wipers are another part that demands regular replacement. During the summer months, the blades will be exposed to a great deal of heat from the sun and can become damaged. This results in blades that do not work as well. It is also a good idea to carefully inspect the tires and wipe them off during routine car care maintenance. This gives vehicle owners a chance to inspect their tires for damage. Vehicle owners should also check the battery cables to ensure that they are connected, and do not have any corrosion.

Americans certainly love their cars. Many of us spend countless hours each and every year cleaning and maintaining our vehicles, especially in the summertime. One of the worst feelings in the world is coming up to your car in a parking lot or other place just to find that the paint has been scratched. Although taking care of a scratch isn’t as easy as a quick car wash, you can do it yourself and avoid a costly auto body shop repair or insurance claim. All scratches should be repaired immediately in order to prevent further damage, such as paint chipping or rusting. Following these simple guidelines will help you repair that scratch all by yourself.

First you’ll need to determine the severity of the scratch you intend to repair. Light surface scratches are obviously much easier to repair than deep ones. If you have a deep scratch, you’re going to need some additional materials, so you should be prepared ahead of time so you don’t have to make an extra trip to the parts store. You can tell how deep a scratch is by running your fingernail gently over the damaged area. Exposed metal indicates an extremely bad gouge and may be more difficult to fix.

There are a couple options when it comes to supplies. Some places will offer full repair kits that include everything you need to fix a scratch, but can often be very costly. Your other choice is to purchase all of the supplies individually. You’re going to need some high quality polish, filler compound (for deep scratches), a super fine grit sanding pad, a small paintbrush, and some touch up paint that matches your vehicle.

You’ll start by washing the damaged area with a very mild soap and water. Simple dish soap will suffice. Clean the area thoroughly, but don’t apply excessive pressure because you don’t want to cause any chipping or flaking. Lightly sand the area until the lowest point of the scratch is level with the surrounding area. Carefully apply filler if the scratch is deep. When that’s set and dry, sand the area smooth. With an extremely steady hand, apply the touch up paint to the damaged area. After that has dried, use the polish to restore shine. A good coat of wax or polish will help protect the repaired area from further damage. Once you’re done, take a few steps back and determine if the damage is still noticeable. If you’re having any major issues with the repair, you may want to consult a professional.

Maintaining your vehicle can help make your car last longer, help you save money on gas, help save you money on unnecessary repairs, and so much more. It is not difficult to do on a regular basis, nor is it hard to learn. You do not need to be an auto mechanic to know how to properly maintain your car. This article will provide you with the necessary steps to take to keep your vehicle running smoothly, and help you learn how to do each one.

One of the first things you should do is buy a Chilton’s Manual for your vehicle. It can help you a lot with small repairs, getting to know your vehicle, when to change fluids, troubleshooting, and more. You can find a Chilton’s Manual for your specific vehicle in your local auto parts store or online.

Here is Your Car Maintenance Schedule -

Weekly: Check all of your fluids. This includes your engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, radiator fluid, and windshield washer fluid. All of these, except maybe the last one, are vital to your car. All of your fluids need to be filled. If any of your fluids are chunky, discolored, etc. it is time to change the fluid.

Windshield Washer Tip – During the wintertime, you can find windshield washer fluid that helps melt the ice off of your windshield!

Bi-Weekly: Check your tire pressure. You will need a tire pressure gauge, which you can get at any gas station, or auto parts store for a few bucks. You will need to take the valve off of each tire (one at a time) and attach the pressure gauge to the valve. It will read what the air pressure is in your tires. Check your car’s manual or the inside of your front door to see what your tire pressure should be. You might need to add more air to your tires (which you can do at almost any gas station for about 50 cents or a dollar). You will then need to check the air pressure again to make sure it is where you need it to be.

Tire Pressure Tip – Keeping your tire pressure correct can help you save on gas!

Every 3,000-Miles or Three Months: Change your engine oil and transmission fluid. You can get this done by bringing your vehicle to your mechanic or you can do it yourself. Your Chilton’s Manual might have a section that can walk you through the process step by step.

Oil and Fluid Tip – Keeping your engine oil fresh and new will keep your engine running smoothly. Keeping your transmission fluid fresh will keep your transmission running well, and possibly help prevent any minor damages. Doing these changes will also keep debris out of your engine and transmission that can build up when you don’t change them on a regular basis.

Every Six Months: Change your windshield wipers. Windshield wipers corrode over time and that affects the way they work. When it rains, snows, sleets, etc. you need to be able to rely on your windshield wipers to keep the windshield free from these things so you can see properly through your windshield. Even if they do not seem like they need to be changed, change them anyway. You certainly do not want to get stuck in a rainstorm and realize that one or both of your windshield wipers is not working!

You will also want to do a tune up on your vehicle during this time. This includes changing your air filter, spark plug wires, cap, rotor, and spark plugs. You can do this yourself or bring it to your mechanic. It all depends on how you feel. This is something you can learn to do yourself, and you should check your Chilton’s Manual to see if they offer step-by-step guides for these changes. This will help you save on gas.

Wiper Tip – A lot of stores now have a computer system that will help you find the appropriate wipers for your vehicle. This can save you time looking it up in your manual if you do not have to. Call and ask before you go, though!

All of these tips and maintenance schedules depend on how much you actually drive your vehicle. You will want to take that into consideration. Keeping the fluids in your vehicle clean and fresh is important to your vehicle’s life. Maintaining your vehicle is important to its life as well, and will help you save on gas and avoidable (and possibly expensive) repairs.

Regular car maintenance is the key to keeping your car in proper shape and great functioning condition for long. With some professional help and regular tune ups you can successfully retain the life of the car and perhaps even increase it manifold. Your car entails frequent tune-ups or a “main service” every two years or 30,000 miles any one that comes first. Mentioned are some trouble-free steps to keep it at distance from shop for long.

You perhaps not keep cleansing fuel filters. They require a fresh one simply if you have fuel injectors and they are clogged. Spark plugs require frequent replacement with superior quality wires that will add to the car’s performance unless your car has platinum spark plugs that run for 30,000 miles or more.

If you do not hold a distributor less electronic ignition, alter the distribution cap and the rotors commonly. Get the ignition timing checked as early on as even six months for superior functioning- modify points and condenser more over if the ignition is not electronic. Belts and oil beneath the hood requires normal checks too. Just alter the belt if it is worn out. Do not get them revamped. Change the oil any ways if the run of the car has been more than 3,000 miles. Air filters should be changed too the chief services too.

extra key characteristics of car maintenance are servicing the battery, adjusting the clutch, cleaning the cable ends and terminals, adding distilled water on a regular basis. An oxygen sensor in the vehicle is responsible for setting the engine accurately and the production of the discharges. Examination on a usual basis is extremely important and replacement to be done at the earliest if needed.

An auto repair manager may be a great guide. A checklist planned with his aid may go a long way in preserving your car accurately. The manufacturer’s guidelines should be followed properly for greatest results.

If anything is suggested to be replaced, get it done instantly. Any delay or negligence can be risky. It can ask more snag for you if the parts of your car stop operating. Then you need to spend more time and funds on its repair.

A regular tune up simply keeps at bay a whole lot of costly tribulations though it may not be a way out or cure in itself. Not remembering or neglecting even one tuning up can produce disordered and dangerous situations.

Following handy instructions and acquiring easy skills of car maintenance saves you time and money and entail total peace of mind and safety for you and your loved ones.