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 car
maintenance advices.
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.
Car maintenance advices
Your owner’s manual will give you some basic
information about when certain car 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.Car maintenance guide
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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