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
