By: Pierre Schexneider M. Ed.
Every 2 weeks or 3,000 miles check engine oil, transmission
fluid and coolant.
Once a month or 1,000 miles check tire pressure - with tire
gauge. Check transmission fluid and brake fluid. Wax car to
protect finish and a smooth finish will reduce the wind drag
increasing your fuel economy. Check belts and hoses for
excessive wear.
Every 3 months or 3,000 miles Change oil and oil filter or every
6 months or 3,000 miles depending on your driving habits. You
will also want to lubricate the chassis check transmission fluid
and check all drive belts (fan belts) replace frayed or cracked
belts.
Every 6 months or 6,000 miles inspect suspension, rotate and
inspect tires.
Every 12 months or 12,000 miles flush radiator, replace
anti-freeze, check air conditioning system. Replace air filters
and lubricate chassis.
Every 2 years or 24,000 miles replace spark plugs (30,000 miles
average suggested for unleaded gas) and PCV valve. Change
automatic transmission fluid, filter and pan gasket. You should
also inspect brake linings at this time.
Every 3 years or 30,000 miles check and test ignition wires,
test cooling system, heating hoses and drive belts, check brake
shoes. (replace if needed)
Replace fluid in differential and manual transmission. (Every
50,000 miles)
If you have a major repair to do, it's wise to get at least 3
estimates, if possible, before you decide. It's hard to be
overcharged when you get three estimates before you have the
work done. Make sure you get promised repairs in writing
including how much it will cost.
Read and follow your car owner's manual - it's your car's bible
for making your car last longer.
Whether you are a man, woman, boy or girl; you should learn to
do some routine maintenance on your car yourself. A multitude of
books, videos, magazines and classes are available at your local
library that will teach you for free if you don't know. Learn
how to check your own oil, transmission fluid, tire pressure and
coolant, etc.
If you find a good mechanic who you can trust, stick with him
even if his prices are a bit higher - all things being equal.
You'll always save time, money and aggravation in the long run.
Beware: Cheapest is not always the best. Normally, the best
mechanics with the best equipment and training cost more. Often
mechanics that charge extremely low prices have inferior or
out-dated equipment, little to no formal training or are
under-insured.
Complex electrical problems are so involved that serious
electrical work should be done in an "Auto Electric" shop. They
have the equipment, tool and training to do the job more
efficiently than the average mechanic.
Avoid car dealers except to have highly specialized repairs done
that can't be done properly anywhere else.
The best as well as the easiest ways to find a good car repair
shop is by recommendation or referrals from satisfied customers.
To have work done on late model computer-controlled engines,
make sure the shop you choose has the equipment to handle
computer-electric service/repair. Sophisticated diagnostic
equipment is a must.
To choose the right repair shop for you, it's wise to have a
small or minor maintenance or repair job done first to see how
the repair shop and mechanic treat you and your car.
You should give detailed description of your car's problem when
you take it in for repairs. The more you can describe what your
car is doing or not doing (thumping, squealing, clacking sound,
etc.) the faster and less it will cost for your mechanic to fix
it.
When in doubt about the cost of a repair or a mechanic's honesty
get a second opinion. This is one of the best ways to protect
yourself from being ripped-off until you can find a permanent
repair shop.
Don't race or gun your engine when you start it up. Accelerate
slowly and smoothly when your engine is cold,
Stop and accelerate gradually avoiding jackrabbit starts and
stops. Avoid burning rubber it places excessive wear on the
transmission and rear end, not to mention your tires.
An international tire company estimated that 33% of all tires on
the road are under-inflated (low air). Under-inflated tires wear
out quicker and have a tendency to blow out easier. Keep
front-end aligned, for longer tire life and better gas mileage.
Tires driven at 70 mph. wear out almost twice as fast as those
driven 50 mph.
Avoid tailgating, tire squealing turns, flying over speed bumps,
pot holes and revving your engine.
When possible, avoid driving your car during rush hour stop and
go traffic periods.
If your car has "Cruise Control" use it. Using cruise control
will save you 5% to 10% of a gallon of gas on long trips.
Avoid constantly pressing and releasing the accelerator when
driving. This practice not only wastes fuel, but it puts
excessive wear on the drive train of your car.
Don't ride your brake pedal, this wears out your brake linings
pre-maturely, and wastes fuel.
Driving with your windows all the way down at higher speeds,
will waste 10% more gallons of gasoline than driving with them
closed. Research by a major car manufacturer has revealed that
neglect of proper routine maintenance is the number one reason
for the enormous increase in car repairs being required.
Tires purchased at department stores such as Sears, Montgomery
Wards, K-Mart etc., can be an excellent value because many are
made by leading tire manufacturers. When purchasing or changing
tires, make sure you have them spin balanced. For a list of what
manufacturer makes which tires for what department store, write
to: Tire Information Centre, P.O. Box 677, Syosset, NY 11791
Avoid cleaning your windshield with a dry rag or towel. Always
dampen with water or some other cleaning liquid. Dry towels
grind and scratch your windshield hindering your visibility.
Avoid turning on the car air-conditioning while running at
highway speeds as this tends to put an immediate heavy load on
your compressor and clutch. This could cause excessive wear and
tear on these components. Instead turn your air conditioner on
at car speeds below 25 to 30 mph. This helps to preserve your
expensive compressor.
Try to avoid running your car with the tank low on gas. Keeping
a low tank of gas increases the chance of dirt, water/moisture
and rust forming in your fuel system. Keeping a full tank
decreases the chance of dirt and other foreign matter forming in
your fuel system.
Regular oil changes are the most important thing you can do to
protect your engine and make it last longer. Each time you have
your engine oil checked; have your transmission fluid checked
also.
If you have a manual transmission it is better to down shift to
slow your car down instead of using your brakes. This will save
wear and tear on your braking system.
A garaged car lasts longer. A car port is next best, and a car
cover is a distant third. Protect your car's interior and make
it last longer - park your car in the shade or place a
windshield guard or cover in the windshield. If you spill
something inside your car, clean it up immediately before it
dries. Delaying even 30 minutes can sometimes leave a permanent
stain or spot. To better protect your car seats have them
treated with scotch guard.
NOTE: According to current auto insurance statistics, the
average U.S. car's useful life is 10 years or 100,000 miles. By
following proper preventative maintenance you can often double
your car's useful life, and spend less
About the author:
Pierre Schexneider is president of The Schexneider Group, LLC an
E-commerce consulting business. As a consultant his research
abilities have afforded him many opportunities to expand his
knowledge base. For gas saving tips please visit:
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