Keeping a car in fine tuned shape and running, doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. These maintenance tips can help save you money and further car repairs by doing it yourself.
Best of all you don't need to be a mechanic to use these tips. The car's owners manual can help you locate any of the tips in this article. Some of the tips as the car's owner can be done without taking the car to a licenced mechanic to do the job.
Checking the Tire Tread
In order to check the tread of car tires, stick a quarter or penny into the tread of the tire in several places on each of the tires. If part of the head on the coins is always covered, the tire tread is still good. If the head of the coin isn't covered well, it is time for a new tire.
Buying Tires for the Car
When buying tires for the car, always purchase the tire warranty for each of the tires. I do this when purchasing tires at Walmart. This warranty has helped me when I have had flats and needed new tires do to unusual wear and tear covered by the warranty.
The tire warranty, as long as it is purchased at the time the tires are purchased, is good at any Walmart. I have had two tires replaced without charge due to problems with the tires from the manufacturer. I have had at least two tires replaced by paying the difference of the cost of the tire when purchasing new tires.
The tread warranty part of the tire exchange is bases on the depth of the tread at the time of replacing the tires. This warranty will save you money in the long run, especially if traveling is happening. I have used this warranty at Walmart in other states as well.
Airing the Car Tires
I have a portable air compressor in my car that plugs into the cigarette lighter. This portable air compressor also has a tire gauge so that I can check the air pressure in my tires at any time.
This handy air compressor is a great way to keep your tires at the right inflated weight without the hassle of finding an air hose only to find out that you need to purchase the air to air your tires. The plug that fits into the cigarette lighter needs to be long enough to reach to all four tires, in most cases the small portable air compressors are.
TIP: Keeping the tires inflated to the right weight can help in saving on the cars gas consumption.
Oil And Oil Filter Care: Checking and Changing the Oil in the Car's Engine
To check the oil in the engine of the car, locate the oil dipstick in the engine. If not sure where the oil dipstick is located, look in the owner's manual.
Once the oil dipstick is located, remove the dipstick from the engine and wipe the oil from the dipstick. Replace the dipstick, and remove it once again without wiping of the oil. Look to see where the oil is on the dipstick. If it is between the two lines that reads full and low oil, the amount of oil in the car's engine is fine. Wipe off the oil and return the dipstick to the engine.
If the oil is below the low oil line, take the cap off of the oil case, the oil case should have oil or the same symbol as the oil dipstick had, and slowly add a bit of oil at a time. Check the dipstick as before until the oil reaches a place in between the lines.
NOTE: Do NOT over fill the oil crank case. If you do this, take it to a place that does oil changes and have it drained and refilled. Overfilling the car's oil case can cause damage to the car. Make sure the oil filter is changed at the same time if this happens.
If the oil is a golden color when checking the oil, the oil will not need to be replaced. If the oil is a dark color, like the color of Karo syrup, it is time for an oil change. It is best to have the oil changed at a store that can dispose of the oil properly. When an oil change is done the oil filter is also changed out. Make sure to use the suggested oil weight specified by the manufacturer. This information can be found in the owner's manual and in some cases on the driver's side door.
Air and Fuel Filter Maintenance
Air and fuel filters need to be maintained like any other part of the car. The best rule of thumb for both of these filters is to have them changed every time the oil is changed in the car. If having these two filters changed when the oil is changed, try to have them changed at least twice a year. Keeping these two filters clean as possible helps in keeping the engine running at it's best efficiency.
All Other Fluids
In many cases, most oil change service will check the other fluids in the engine for an extra small fee. This is a great option to use when having your car's engine oil changed. This is due to the fact that all of the fluids are checked and filled each time the oil is changed.
Breaks Maintenance
At anytime a difference is noticed in the way the breaks are preforming when being used, it is best to have the breaks checked out as soon as possible. Keeping the break pads and fluids up to date will help in keeping the drums of the breaks in the best possible condition.
There are many more general car care maintenance tips that can be passed along, but these are the most common tips that any car owner should know.
Battery Maintenance
It is best to make sure there is enough water in all the cells of the car's battery. This can be done with a battery tube tester kit. For those who would rather have someone else do this part, have the battery checked when the oil is being changed in the car.
Also, keep the batters cable's clean. This can be done with the use of a baking soda and water mixture or by pouring a small amount of soda pop onto the cables where they attach to the battery. Either of these options will remove the corrosion from the battery cables and posts on the battery.
When the cables need to be replaced due to broken wires that are noticeable have them replaced as soon as possible. This will allow the connection to the battery to be there at all times.
