Apart from
your house, you car is the one of the most expensive items you invest in. It is
only natural to keep the car in tip-top shape in order to get the most out of
it. I have compiled a list of basic maintenance tips to keep your automobile in
good shape.
Check Your Fluids!
When
checking fluids in your car, it is very important to park the car on level
ground so the fluids are accurately measured. Also, fluids like engine coolant
should never be checked when the car engine is hot. In other words, do not
check all of your fluids right after you drive your car. The oil and automatic
transmission fluids come with dipsticks that you can use to monitor the fluid
levels. Make sure to wipe the dipstick before you reinsert for measurement.
There are
lines marking the full and empty levels on the oil dipstick. The transmission
fluid dipstick has two hash-marked ranges. The range toward the end of the
stick is where the fluid level should be if the engine is cool. The range
higher up on the dipstick is where the fluid level should be if the engine is
hot. It is recommended that the oil is changed once every 3,000 – 5,000 miles.
It is a good idea to track at what mile you last changed the oil. Changing your
oil is often more necessary if you do a lot of driving in the city or in
extreme climates.
Check Your Tires!
The tires are also important to monitor. Having a pressure
gauge in the g love compartment is an easy way to make a quick check of tire
pressure if you believe a tire is lower than another. Rotating your tires every
two oil changes is a good idea in order to make sure that your tires wear
evenly. If you go to a garage to get this done, it is also a good idea to get
your tires balanced.
The depth of the tread is also good to monitor. It is said
that if you place an upside down penny in the thread and can see President
Lincoln's whole head, then it is time to change the tires. Some say that this
method isn't very precise and that a tire thread gauge is a good tool to use.
Treads less than 2/32 of an inch is illegal.
Resources:
http://www.samarins.com/maintenance/simple.html
http://www.insurance.com/article.aspx/Car_Maintenance_Tips/artid/448
http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people-and-stories/74-car-care-tips-to-keep-your-automobile-in-topnotch-condition/article28223.html
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Re: Tips and Tricks to Maintaining Your Automobile
