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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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