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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