divine's car care tip of the day:
March 31, 2014
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Get regular brake inspections which are the best way to ensure safe and reliable breaking and minimize the cost of repairs when brake service is needed.
Check the hoses & belts to make sure they are not cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or showing signs of excessive wear Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering, brake & transmission as well as windshield washer solvent & antifreeze/coolant. The ABCs of Car Care for New Drivers: It's never too early to learn the ABCs of car care. A - Always follow a preventative vehicle maintenance plan. B - Be sure to have your car inspected when you suspect there is a problem. C - Correct the problem to help avoid the inconvenience & potential safety hazards of breaking down away from home. Driveline components such as u-joints also require lubrication. The driveline may have to be removed to access the zerk grease fitting. Flush the cooling system and change your coolant once a year. A 50/50 mix of coolant and distilled water will keep the cooling system in good shape, prevent corrosion, and deposits from building up inside the cooling system. Replacing normal wear & tear parts such as timing belts before they break is a good path to follow on the road to long vehicle life. Change out transmission & differential oils. While not requiring frequent service, these fluids must be changed according to service intervals. Always use transmission fluid or gear oil of the recommended type & viscosity. Check & change the oil. No single step will help an engine last more than regular oil & filter changes will. Conversely, nothing will destroy an engine faster than neglecting oil level checks or fresh-oil changes. Keep the outside clean: wash the outside regularly to ensure a long life. Brake fluid is hygroscopic. This means it is adept at attracting moisture. Moisture causes components to corrode & fail. Replace fluid & bleed system once a year. Brake fluid is cheap. Calipers, hoses, & sensors are expensive. Protect the interior plastic by parking the vehicle in the shade, using a window deflector screen, & applying a UV protected to prevent the plastic & vinyl from drying out. Regularly scheduled maintenance & lubrication using the manufacturers recommended type & formulation of oil, grease & liquids will keep your car running smoothly. Nothing keeps paint looking good & protected like a coat of quality wax. Apply wax at least every six months. Start with the wheels and wash thoroughly; Use a lot of soapy water and a scrub brush to scour the wheel and rubber tire to remove deep down dirt. Rinse then use a sponge/washcloth to do a follow-up cleaning. Be sure to take care of your wheels and tires. Try polishing dry glass with crumpled newspaper unlike paper towels, newsprint does not leave lint behind and the ink acts as a polish on dry glass. Use something soft to wash the surface of the car; Like a natural sea sponge, cotton, chenille pad, or sheepskin mitt; The materials have a large number of fine filaments that draw dirt and grime away from the surface. Use suds specially formulated for washing a car; Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for the proper shampoo to water ratio. Wash from the top down and rinse the car often; Use a final rinse of free flowing water(nozzle off the hose) to allow the water to sheet off of the car. Be sure to wash your car in a shady area or on a cloudy day; if a car is not kept cool while washing, the water will evaporate and leave spots. Cold weather brings ice/frost, keep a window scraper or deicer. Don't just toss them in the trunk. Assign each item a secure place in the car that will prevent it from spilling or getting jumbled with other items. A folded blanket in the back of the seat or trunk can be useful if you get stranded, and can't keep the car running. Keep important papers in an envelope in the glove box to keep it neat. Empty your trash can on a regular basis, keeping your car free from clutter ensures that your passengers have as much space as possible. Part of keeping your car organized is keeping it running well. Before fall sets in, be sure that you've had it serviced. Included in this service should be an oil change, engine check, tire check, & radiator fill up. If your car is running smoothly, you'll be much more likely to get where you need to go. Make it a routine to wash your car. Park your car in the garage or carport or covered area...When going out, avoid parking next to cars that you can tell others don't care about. Clean your shoes before getting in.....prevent getting the inside dirty. Every time you leave take something out when you stop for gas reach into all cubby holes and pull out all the trash you can |