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 |
