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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
About The Author
David Maillie is a chemist with
over 12 years experience in biochemical research
and clynical analysis. He is an alumni of Cornell
University and specializes in biochemical synthesis
for public, private, and governmental interests.
He holds numerous patents including his recently
awarded patent for headlight cleaner and restorer.
He can be reached at M.D. Wholesale:
http://www.mdwholesale.com.
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