You know the old saying, "an once of prevention..." If you need automotive maintenance schedule check out the auto repair manuals. It is quite interesting what is under the hood of a car and it can leave you asking yourself questions. Does the engine oil need to be changed? Maybe your transmission needs some work or filter serviced? Something seems wrong with your brakes? Is your car making strange noises? Acquiring a vehicle is a fairly easy task... the tough part comes later with maintenance.
How to Change Oil Yourself
10 Most Important Car Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Car in Top Running Condition
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Battery - fully charged and no corrosion
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Fluid Levels - oil, coolant, brake, power steering, washer fluid
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Tires - Tread depth, wear pattern, inflation
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Brakes - pad life, rotors, noise
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Fuel - filters, injectors, proper octane
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Belts and Hoses - soft, worn, cracked, rotten
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Spark Plugs - engine tune up, how often
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Alternator Repair - checking and testing
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Lubrication - Grease fitting, wheel bearings, ball joints
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Maintenance - intervals and schedules
How Car Maintenance Can Save You Money
The way cars are built today has almost made maintenance unnecessary. If your plan is to trade your car in for a new one before your warranty is up, like at 50,000 miles. You don't even need to change the oil or rotate your tires. This definitely lowers all car maintenance costsNow with that being said, if you plan to keep your car for some time. Change the oil every 3 to 5 thousand miles. Rotate your tires front to back every other oil change. Replace your wiper blades every other year. And by all means, just walk around and take a look at it every now and again. Look to see that your lights are working. If it is slow to crank over, replace the battery SOON! Check the air filter when you change the oil. If it needs one, replace it. $10 bucks now may save you a $100 bucks in the future.
In the long run a few things maintained now may save you from a lot of things later. As one one thing goes it can break other things.
The best and most efficient method of knowing about your car and keeping track of it is through the owner's manual which provides complete information on how to go about it. You can inspect your car every time you enter it, or on a daily or weekly basis or at intervals specified in the manual.
A few while driving tips
Strange Smells
At times, strange smells may emanate from inside your car. The possible causes may be:
- Musty odors indicate the existence of some trapped later, usually under the carpet. This will ruin the carpet and also speed up corrosion. The proper solution would be to remove the carpets and dry both the carpet and the floor.
- Smoky smells are of various kinds. Electrical smoky smells are the most dangerous and it is advisable to shut down, open the bonnet, disconnect the batteries and seek professional help. Other smoky smells may occur when the sound or heat proof lining inside the engine space burns. Trace the cause.
- Fuel smells occurs either when the fuel tank venting gets choked or if there has been an overflow.
- Sometimes, oil or exhaust smells from the engine occur. This maybe caused either due to too much engine oil, or if the engine oil has grown old and is burning, or if it has been overheated.
- A typical sweetish smell emanates when varnish is being burnt which occurs when your dynamo or alternator is about to pack up and would, usually be accompanied by flickering lights.
- Burning rubber smells tend to come when you drive with your brakes on. Overheated tires may also be the cause.
Strange smells are an early warning signal that need to be heeded if much more time and money are to be saved later on.
Strange Sounds
Strange sounds tend to be sidelined in the bustle and din of our roads, and by the car stereo playing in the background. However, if the problem persists, the car will make its condition known every time you take a corner or ride over a bump. Some easily recognizable sounds are- Strange clicking while taking a turn from the front wheels means that the front shaft is about to fall apart. Get it fixed before it actually does.
- A fan-belt squeal means that another one is needed.
- Rhythmic clicks from the wheel indicate faulty bearings at worst or just large pebbles stuck in the tread pattern at the best.
- A change in engine tone usually indicates engine overheating, especially if you have been driving at constant speeds for a long time. Stopping or varying the engine speed should be enough if there is no severe problem. Otherwise, let the car cool down and then check radiator and water levels.
- Backfiring while normal driving means serious problems and should be properly investigated. Promptly.
- Engine knocks means that it is time to get into a lower gear. If it persists, however, it is time to get your engine and engine oil checked.
At times, your car give personal signals which can be deciphered by only the user. Strange 'hiccups' while driving indicate faulty fuel which would in turn cause faulty carburetor or fuel injector. If there is unequal or wrong air pressure in tires, it is evident on braking. Unexplained shudders in braking indicate problems in suspension or linkages.
