Any car nut knows that upgrades, detailing and mods come second to actual maintenance. Cars are serious investment for any person or family, and taking care of it should be a priority. Today I'm going to outline some basic steps anybody who owns a car should take to ensure they're protecting their investment.
1. Engine Oil
The engine is the powerhouse of your car and also the most expensive part. It's also the easiest to take care of. The first step is to change your engine oil regularly. Follow your owners manual's recommended change interval and use the proper oil for the car. Your manual should say something like change it every 3500 miles with 5W-30. The most important thing is that the oil you use is API certified and of the correct viscosity. I could write an entire article on oil but for the purposes of changing your oil the viscosity (5W-30 or whatever your manual says) is the most important. Conventional, Synthetic, Synthetic-Blends are all sufficient and interchangeable if you want to go to a different type of oil for the next change.
The other thing is that in between oil changes you should check your oil level regularly. Check your engine when it's cold, so first thing in the morning before you take it out for a drive. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, put it back in and check it and make sure the oil level is between the full and low marks and you're fine. Running your engine without oil is a surefire way to kill your car, so check your oil twice a month and make sure you're topped off.
2. Transmission Fluid
I'm assuming most you guys drive automatics. If you're one of the lucky people with a stick just change your gear oil according to interval in the owners manual. Nothing to check really. Check your owners manual on how to properly check your transmission fluid, there is a dipstick but there are differences on how you check it. But when you check it you still want the fluid to be between the low and fill marks. You also want to put a little fluid on your finger and make sure it's still relatively red. If it's brown or black that's a sign of neglect and you need to change it out.
Tranmission fluid needs to be changed less frequently but still needs to be changed as a maintenance item. Again this varies with your manufacturer so check your owner's manual. Usually it's like a 15k or 30k interval.
3. All Other Fluids
The other fluids you should be checking the same time you check your transmission and engine oil are your engine coolant, power steering fluid and brake fluid. You check these by finding the reservoir that they sit in, usually all these have markings of MAX and MIN. If you can't see it then use some soap and water and just clean it off with a rag. Usually all you're checking for is to see if they're at an appropriate level. If they are low that's probably indicative of a leak. If they are low, just top them off until they're at the right level. In a pinch you can usually use transmission fluid as power steering fluid.
4. Routine Scheduled Maintenance
Follow the maintenance schedule outlined in your owner's manual. If you're due for spark plugs and an air filter, get them changed. If you're due for a timing belt, get it changed. It's that simple, the people who have cars that never give them problems are the ones who follow what the manufacturer says.
5. Tire Pressure
This is an easy one. Buy a cheapo $20 air compressor or a nice $90 jump starter that can jump start your car without the need for another car. These usually come with a built in air compressor and usb port to charge your stuff in a pinch. And get a tire pressure gauge while you're at it. Keep both in your car. With the car stone cold, ideally first thing in the morning. Check your tire pressure and make sure they're all inflated to the proper spec in your owner's manual. This not only helps your tire wear evenly but also helps your fuel economy. I also rotate my tires every two oil changes to help them wear evenly and make them last longer.
6. Ignoring Problems
Don't do it. If your check engine light comes on, get it checked. If your car is making a noise, get it checked. If you see a leak after you park your car, get it checked. Don't ignore problems just because your car still runs, you're probably running components way past their life-cycle. This is how people end up on the side of road with smoke coming out of their hood.
Sometimes it might seem like you're spending money on nothing when you pay for maintenance when your car is still running fine but remember that maintenance is always cheaper than paying for a new engine or paying for an accident caused a separated ball joint. It's always worth it.
1. Engine Oil
The engine is the powerhouse of your car and also the most expensive part. It's also the easiest to take care of. The first step is to change your engine oil regularly. Follow your owners manual's recommended change interval and use the proper oil for the car. Your manual should say something like change it every 3500 miles with 5W-30. The most important thing is that the oil you use is API certified and of the correct viscosity. I could write an entire article on oil but for the purposes of changing your oil the viscosity (5W-30 or whatever your manual says) is the most important. Conventional, Synthetic, Synthetic-Blends are all sufficient and interchangeable if you want to go to a different type of oil for the next change.
The other thing is that in between oil changes you should check your oil level regularly. Check your engine when it's cold, so first thing in the morning before you take it out for a drive. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, put it back in and check it and make sure the oil level is between the full and low marks and you're fine. Running your engine without oil is a surefire way to kill your car, so check your oil twice a month and make sure you're topped off.
2. Transmission Fluid
I'm assuming most you guys drive automatics. If you're one of the lucky people with a stick just change your gear oil according to interval in the owners manual. Nothing to check really. Check your owners manual on how to properly check your transmission fluid, there is a dipstick but there are differences on how you check it. But when you check it you still want the fluid to be between the low and fill marks. You also want to put a little fluid on your finger and make sure it's still relatively red. If it's brown or black that's a sign of neglect and you need to change it out.
Tranmission fluid needs to be changed less frequently but still needs to be changed as a maintenance item. Again this varies with your manufacturer so check your owner's manual. Usually it's like a 15k or 30k interval.
3. All Other Fluids
The other fluids you should be checking the same time you check your transmission and engine oil are your engine coolant, power steering fluid and brake fluid. You check these by finding the reservoir that they sit in, usually all these have markings of MAX and MIN. If you can't see it then use some soap and water and just clean it off with a rag. Usually all you're checking for is to see if they're at an appropriate level. If they are low that's probably indicative of a leak. If they are low, just top them off until they're at the right level. In a pinch you can usually use transmission fluid as power steering fluid.
4. Routine Scheduled Maintenance
Follow the maintenance schedule outlined in your owner's manual. If you're due for spark plugs and an air filter, get them changed. If you're due for a timing belt, get it changed. It's that simple, the people who have cars that never give them problems are the ones who follow what the manufacturer says.
5. Tire Pressure
This is an easy one. Buy a cheapo $20 air compressor or a nice $90 jump starter that can jump start your car without the need for another car. These usually come with a built in air compressor and usb port to charge your stuff in a pinch. And get a tire pressure gauge while you're at it. Keep both in your car. With the car stone cold, ideally first thing in the morning. Check your tire pressure and make sure they're all inflated to the proper spec in your owner's manual. This not only helps your tire wear evenly but also helps your fuel economy. I also rotate my tires every two oil changes to help them wear evenly and make them last longer.
6. Ignoring Problems
Don't do it. If your check engine light comes on, get it checked. If your car is making a noise, get it checked. If you see a leak after you park your car, get it checked. Don't ignore problems just because your car still runs, you're probably running components way past their life-cycle. This is how people end up on the side of road with smoke coming out of their hood.
Sometimes it might seem like you're spending money on nothing when you pay for maintenance when your car is still running fine but remember that maintenance is always cheaper than paying for a new engine or paying for an accident caused a separated ball joint. It's always worth it.
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