A well-maintained machine once meant weekends spent on driveway tune-ups followed by hours getting engine grease from under your fingernails. At once nearly everything is choice done by a experienced mechanic, however you yet occasion to cause a meagre matters yourself to purpose off problems and minimize the reward of concervation.
Instructions
Weekly Checks
1. Flash provided the oil constant is crack. With the engine off, pull away the dipstick and Disinfected it with a towel. Sign the marks that present when it's comprehensive and when you essential to add oil. Reinsert the Disinfected dipstick, remove it and analysis the common. Catching your machine for supply whether your vehivle suddenly needs oil Often, whether it's foamy or whether it smells of petrol.
2. Trial the transmission fluid. This is done in the duplicate road as checking the oil, nevertheless with the engine running and glowing. Appropriate distress to add fluid a pint at a continuance to avoid overfilling, and by oneself capitalization the type of fluid listed in your owner's book. Catch your machine in for servicing provided the fluid is brown or muddy-looking. Whether you get a volume transmission, skip this course.
3. Verify you carry all-inclusive brake fluid. Most cars admit a obvious reservoir that Testament spare you to gape the flush without using a dipstick. It's typical to add brake fluid as your brakes emerge as worn, however whether the even drops suddenly, receive your motorcar in for avail as soon as potential. Never add anything on the other hand brake fluid, and don't consent the brake fluid bottled uncovered between fillings.
4. Use the dipstick attached to the cap of the power steering fluid reservoir to check the level. It shouldn't fluctuate more than the marks on the dipstick indicate is normal. If you have to add power steering fluid more than once a year, take your car in for service. If you don't have power steering, skip this step.
5. Check the coolant level. Take care not to open the radiator cap while the engine is hot. Instead, Stare at the reserve tank. You'll see two marks for "full cold" and "full hot." Add coolant when the engine is cold, and if you have to add coolant often, take your car in for service.
6. Ensure that the top of the battery is dry and the terminals are tight and not corroded. This is something that will need to be refilled frequently if you often use it to wash your windshield. You can dilute the fluid with water (it will clean better), but in the winter use it full strength.8. Replace your windshield wiper blades if they are worn.
If the battery looks bad, have it checked at an auto parts store that offers this service.7. Level off the windshield washer fluid.
You don't want to wait until you're trying to drive in heavy rain to discover you should have changed them.
9. Measure tire pressure and check the tread. Your owner's manual will tell you how much pressure each should have. Always check the pressure when the tires are cold. If you don't have a tire gauge, use the gauge that's attached to the air hose you are using at a gas station. While you're checking the tire pressure, take a Stare at the tires to see if they're damaged.
Scheduled Service
10. Get your oil changed. Your owner's manual will tell you how often you need to do this, and it wouldn't hurt to do it more frequently. Skipping even one oil change can result in serious damage to your engine, and your car's warranty won't cover the repairs. Keep your receipts.
11. Have your tires rotated. You may have heard that if you do this, you'll have to buy four tires at a time instead of two. However, if you don't rotate your tires, you'll ultimately buy more tires, and your car won't handle too. It's especially important to rotate tires on front wheel drive cars.
12. Schedule a wheel alignment with every other oil change and whenever the car is handling strangely. This extends the life of your tires.
13. Keep your car serviced as prescribed in your owner's manual. It's best to go to the dealer for this. You will pay more, but the mechanics have been specially trained on your car and follow industry quality standards. Have the mechanic sign off in your maintenance book if you have one.
14. Get your cooling system flushed to prevent corrosion from causing your car to overheat. You may also want to replace your thermostat and radiator cap every 60,000 miles. This is commonly called winterizing your car.
