Common Sense Car Care
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
By: Richard Ostien
This article discusses vehicle maintenance.
The truth is that if it moves it has to be maintained, from the human body to a
squeaky door hinge and definitely the auto or truck you own and drive. The
maintenance level you choose as the owner can most effectively be
determined by the type of driving you do.
The auto manufacturer bases maintenance intervals on mileage and normal
or severe service. The person whose driving habits are of short distances
would need to change their oil using time as a guideline rather than mileage. It
would be vice-versa with a person whose driving habits are of longer
distances. The oil in an engine is there to cool and lubricate. Over time and
with the wear and tear of driving, oil looses its ability to perform its primary
function of cooling and lubricating.
The oil change service that is performed by most facilities can vary from a 15
minute in and out to a 45 minute vehicle check included in the oil change. The
price can also vary from about $17.95 to about $36.95. The slogan of “pay me
now or pay me later “ used by the Fram Filter Co. years ago more than holds
true today. The vehicle check is a very good idea and can find problems that
are already in existence or it can head off problems that can become future
emergencies.
A good vehicle check will include a visual check of the following areas:
1. Tire wear and air pressure
2. The exhaust system
3. Front and rear suspension
4. Brake and fuel lines
5. Drive axles
6. Belts and hoses
7. Fluid levels
8. Battery condition
9. Antifreeze PH and protective level
10. All lights
11. Windshield wipers and washers
12. The air filter.
These 12 items are very important and they are often the most ignored.
The air filter, in most cases, can be checked very easily. The air filter box
provides an excellent home for field mice. The obstruction created by these
little creature’s nests cuts the air flow and that results in poor gas mileage and
poor performance. The antifreeze in your cooling system can cause major
problems if it has a high PH level. Engine parts will fail prematurely if this isn’t
taken care of. These are two very good examples of why a vehicle safety
check is so important. The 12 areas listed above need to be checked regularly
to insure the trouble free performance of your vehicle.
The auto manufacturer’s schedule of services is a great guideline to help
you maintain your car or truck. These schedules can be found in the owner’s
manual of your vehicle or they can be obtained from most vehicle repair
facilities. The idea of scheduling services is done so that you, as a consumer,
get the most trouble free miles from your vehicle.
The person who still likes to do some of their own vehicle repairs should
have a thorough understanding of what they are about to undertake. Using the
correct 6 pointed box wrench or socket to remove an oil drain plug can often
head off trouble. Remember to add oil to an oil filter before installing it and
wipe a little oil on the filter seal. The oil added to the filter gives the engine oil
pressure at the start after an oil change and the oil on the filter seal helps the
filter come off easier the next time you change it. The parts you replace should
meet the O.E.M. specifications of your vehicle’s manufacturer. The price will be
higher but in the long run the quality will far out weigh the price. Be sure to
check the above mentioned items and replace worn parts with high quality
ones. This will help to head off trouble down the road.
The winter that is finally over has taken a toll on the vehicle you drive. The
warm days of spring and summer are just ahead. Take the time to have your
vehicle checked so that you can enjoy those weekend outings during the
summer and can keep them as trouble-free as possible.
Happy Motoring,
Rick
This article discusses vehicle maintenance.
The truth is that if it moves it has to be maintained, from the human body to a
squeaky door hinge and definitely the auto or truck you own and drive. The
maintenance level you choose as the owner can most effectively be
determined by the type of driving you do.
The auto manufacturer bases maintenance intervals on mileage and normal
or severe service. The person whose driving habits are of short distances
would need to change their oil using time as a guideline rather than mileage. It
would be vice-versa with a person whose driving habits are of longer
distances. The oil in an engine is there to cool and lubricate. Over time and
with the wear and tear of driving, oil looses its ability to perform its primary
function of cooling and lubricating.
The oil change service that is performed by most facilities can vary from a 15
minute in and out to a 45 minute vehicle check included in the oil change. The
price can also vary from about $17.95 to about $36.95. The slogan of “pay me
now or pay me later “ used by the Fram Filter Co. years ago more than holds
true today. The vehicle check is a very good idea and can find problems that
are already in existence or it can head off problems that can become future
emergencies.
A good vehicle check will include a visual check of the following areas:
1. Tire wear and air pressure
2. The exhaust system
3. Front and rear suspension
4. Brake and fuel lines
5. Drive axles
6. Belts and hoses
7. Fluid levels
8. Battery condition
9. Antifreeze PH and protective level
10. All lights
11. Windshield wipers and washers
12. The air filter.
These 12 items are very important and they are often the most ignored.
The air filter, in most cases, can be checked very easily. The air filter box
provides an excellent home for field mice. The obstruction created by these
little creature’s nests cuts the air flow and that results in poor gas mileage and
poor performance. The antifreeze in your cooling system can cause major
problems if it has a high PH level. Engine parts will fail prematurely if this isn’t
taken care of. These are two very good examples of why a vehicle safety
check is so important. The 12 areas listed above need to be checked regularly
to insure the trouble free performance of your vehicle.
The auto manufacturer’s schedule of services is a great guideline to help
you maintain your car or truck. These schedules can be found in the owner’s
manual of your vehicle or they can be obtained from most vehicle repair
facilities. The idea of scheduling services is done so that you, as a consumer,
get the most trouble free miles from your vehicle.
The person who still likes to do some of their own vehicle repairs should
have a thorough understanding of what they are about to undertake. Using the
correct 6 pointed box wrench or socket to remove an oil drain plug can often
head off trouble. Remember to add oil to an oil filter before installing it and
wipe a little oil on the filter seal. The oil added to the filter gives the engine oil
pressure at the start after an oil change and the oil on the filter seal helps the
filter come off easier the next time you change it. The parts you replace should
meet the O.E.M. specifications of your vehicle’s manufacturer. The price will be
higher but in the long run the quality will far out weigh the price. Be sure to
check the above mentioned items and replace worn parts with high quality
ones. This will help to head off trouble down the road.
The winter that is finally over has taken a toll on the vehicle you drive. The
warm days of spring and summer are just ahead. Take the time to have your
vehicle checked so that you can enjoy those weekend outings during the
summer and can keep them as trouble-free as possible.
Happy Motoring,
Rick