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 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