64 MECHANIC'S WAYS TO MAKE YOUR CAR

64 MECHANIC'S WAYS TO MAKE YOUR CAR

LAST LONGER

Every 2 weeks or 3,000 miles:

1.Check engine oil, transmission fluid and coolant.

Once a month or 1,000 miles:

2. Check tire pressure - with tire gauge.

3. Check transmission fluid.

4. Check brake fluid.

5. Wax car (to protect finish).

6. Check belts and hoses.

Every 3 months or 3,000 miles:

7. Change oil and oil filter (every 6 months or 3,000 miles).

8. Lubricate chassis.

9. Check transmission fluid.

10. Check all drive belts (fan belts) frayed or cracked belts.

Every 6 months or 6,000 miles:

11. Change oil and filter (every 6 months or 3,000 miles).

12. Inspect suspension.

13. Rotate tires.

Every 12 months or 12,000 miles:

14. Flush radiator, replace anti-freeze, check air conditioning

system.

15. Replace air filters.

16. Lubricate chassis.

Every 2 years or 24,000 miles.

17. Replace spark plugs (30,000 miles average suggested

for unleaded gas) and PC valve.

18. Change automatic transmission fluid, filter and pan

gasket.

19. Inspect brake linings.

Every 3 years or 30,000 miles:

20. Check and test ignition wires (replace if needed).

21. Test cooling system and heating hoses (replace if

needed).

22. Check drive belts (replace if needed).

23. Replace fluid in differential and manual transmission.

Every 50,000 miles.

24. Check brake shoes (replace if needed)

25. If you have a major repair to do, it's wise to get at least 3

estimates, if possible, before you decide.

26. Read and follow your car owner's manual - it's your car's

bible for making your car last longer.

27. Whether you are a man, woman, boy or girl, 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.

28. 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.

29. Don't race or gun your engine when you start it up.

Accelerate slowly and smoothly when your engine is cold.

30. Avoid burning rubber - it places excessive wear on the

transmission, rear end, not to mention your tires.

31. 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.

32. A garaged car lasts longer. A car port is next best, and a

car cover is a distant third.

33. Avoid jackrabbit starts and stops. Stop and accelerate

gradually.

34. Avoid tailgating, tire squealing turns, flying over speed

bumps, pot holes and revving your engine.

35. When possible, avoid driving your car during rush hour

stop and go traffic periods.

36. Keep front-end aligned, for longer tire life and better gas

mileage.

37. Make sure you get promised repairs in writing including

how much it will cost.

38. Avoid car dealers except to have highly specialized

repairs done that can't be done properly anywhere else.

39. It's hard to be overcharged when you get three estimates

before you have the work done.

40. Beware: Cheapest is not always the best. Normally, the

best mechanics with the best equipment and training cost

more.

41. Often mechanics that charge extremely low prices have

inferior or out-dated equipment, little to no formal training or

are under-insured.

42. 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.

43. 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.

44. Avoid constantly pressing and releasing the accelerator

when driving. This practise not only wastes fuel, but it puts

excessive wear on the drive train of your car.

45. Don't ride your brake pedal, this wears out your brake

linings pre-maturely, and wastes fuel.

46. Driving with your windows all the way down at higher

speeds, will waste 10% more gallons of gasoline than driving

with them closed.

47. 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.

48. 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. For

a list of what manufacturer makes which tires for what

department store, write to:

Tire Information Center, P.O. Box 677, Syosset, NY 11791

49. When purchasing or changing tires, make sure you have

them spin balanced.

50. 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.

51. 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 m.p.h.

This helps to preserve your expensive compressor.

52. 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.

53. Tires driven at 70 m.p.h. wear out almost twice as fast as

cars that go 50 m.p.h.

54. A government study has confirmed, the top three causes

of car breakdowns while on the road are: (a) running out of

gas (b) tire troubles (c) cooling system problems

(overheating)

55. The best as well as the easiest ways to find a good car

repair shop is by recommendation or referrals from satisfied

customers.

56. To work on late model computer-controlled engines,

make sure the shop you choose has the equipment to

handlecomputer-electric service/repair. Sophisticated

diagnostic equipment is a must.

57. 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.

58. 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.

59. 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.

60. Regular oil changes are the most important thing you can

do to protect your engine and make it last longer.

61. If you have a manual transmission, downshift to slow your

car down instead of using your brakes. This will save wear

and tear on your braking system.

62. Each time you have your engine oil checked, have your

transmission fluid checked also.

63. 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.

64. 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. NOTE: To

better protect your car seats have them treated with

scotchguard.

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 time visiting your

local mechanic.