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

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