Automobile Maintenance
Maintenance is something most of us ignore , until our vehicle stops functioning . Then we wonder what went wrong , where and Why that happen . Maintenance is one of the most serious aspects of ownership . It determines the longevity , performance and reliability of whichever vehicle you drive . Looking after your vehicle involves more than taking care of its external coat of paint and keeping it clean and shiny . Maintenance means taking care of all the parts , even those that are inside the bonnet . These are the ones that directly concern the performance of your vehicle . Besides taking it to the service station at regular periods , it is a good idea to go through the owner's manual that will give a fair idea about its routine maintenance .Checking the battery, keeping a check on the oils , changing the oils , checking the electrical system and stereo system s , are some of the absolutely unavoidable things to keep your vehicle in good shape .
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. There are softwares available to help to keep track of maintenance. These programs track repairs , maintenance , replacement parts used on the vehicle and fuel consumption . We can use the same software for multiple vehicles. Most software allows to create a service schedule and will remind when it’s time to perform maintenance tasks on each vehicle . The software contains a wide variety of tips for auto care. Many companies offer a free trial that can be downloaded on the internet. The owner’s manual will give some basic information about when certain maintenance tasks should be done.
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General Maintenance
A well maintained vehicle speaks volumes about you as an owner. More importantly, it will not desert you when you need it most. So here is a detailed list of general maintenance for automobiles .
Engine Oil : To prevent engine deterioration , it is imperative that the engine maintains the amount of oil it is programmed to receive . Negligence in this aspect will lead to a deteriorating engine performance, resulting in falling mileage . Most oils contain ingredients to resist combustion , detergents clean the inside of engines and anti cake agents to prevent the oil clogging up and b locking important bits of the engine . Some oils contain electrostatically charged particles which bond low frction molecules to stressed metal surface and reduce cold engine wear .
It is advisable to keep the oil level below the max and above the min level . Too much oil level cause leaking , burning oil , broken seals and piston rings . Too little will cause premature wear . Always change the filter with the oil .
Lights : It is important for the lights to be properly focused, for your own and for the oncoming vehicle's safety. Travel on low beam so that it does not obstruct your view instead of helping you along .
Tyre Pressure : The required amount of air pressure needs to be strictly maintained if your car is to get the right mileage and pick-up. Tyres have an important bearing on the performance and safety of the vehicle. There should be uniformity of tread pattern in the tyres. Don't mix radial tyres with other tyres. Always ensure that the tyres have prescribed air pressure.
Air pressure should be checked on cold tyres and not when they are hot as the air expands when hot. Having lower air pressure than prescribed adversely affect stability during drive, causes high fuel consumption and harms the suspensions, while excessive air pressure results in faster wear of treads and results in a hard and bumpy ride.
Some more tips on this general maintenance category falls as follows :-
1 . Drive at a moderate speed of 45-55 km/h to maximize fuel efficiency.
2 . Get your vehicle serviced only at authorized service stations .
3 . Give your vehicle anti-rust coating before the monsoons and always use genuine spare parts .
4 . If your engine uses water for cooling, take care to ensure that it is regularly changed. Water can also be used for cleaning the windshield.
5 . Use air-conditioning only when necessary and avoid riding on the clutch pedal and release the c lutch pedal fully while driving .
Engine Oil : To prevent engine deterioration , it is imperative that the engine maintains the amount of oil it is programmed to receive . Negligence in this aspect will lead to a deteriorating engine performance, resulting in falling mileage . Most oils contain ingredients to resist combustion , detergents clean the inside of engines and anti cake agents to prevent the oil clogging up and b locking important bits of the engine . Some oils contain electrostatically charged particles which bond low frction molecules to stressed metal surface and reduce cold engine wear .
It is advisable to keep the oil level below the max and above the min level . Too much oil level cause leaking , burning oil , broken seals and piston rings . Too little will cause premature wear . Always change the filter with the oil .
Lights : It is important for the lights to be properly focused, for your own and for the oncoming vehicle's safety. Travel on low beam so that it does not obstruct your view instead of helping you along .
Tyre Pressure : The required amount of air pressure needs to be strictly maintained if your car is to get the right mileage and pick-up. Tyres have an important bearing on the performance and safety of the vehicle. There should be uniformity of tread pattern in the tyres. Don't mix radial tyres with other tyres. Always ensure that the tyres have prescribed air pressure.
Air pressure should be checked on cold tyres and not when they are hot as the air expands when hot. Having lower air pressure than prescribed adversely affect stability during drive, causes high fuel consumption and harms the suspensions, while excessive air pressure results in faster wear of treads and results in a hard and bumpy ride.
Some more tips on this general maintenance category falls as follows :-
1 . Drive at a moderate speed of 45-55 km/h to maximize fuel efficiency.
2 . Get your vehicle serviced only at authorized service stations .
3 . Give your vehicle anti-rust coating before the monsoons and always use genuine spare parts .
4 . If your engine uses water for cooling, take care to ensure that it is regularly changed. Water can also be used for cleaning the windshield.
5 . Use air-conditioning only when necessary and avoid riding on the clutch pedal and release the c lutch pedal fully while driving .
Preventive Maintenance
Preventive Maintenance include the following tips -
Air Filter : Check it every month. Replace it when it becomes dirty or as part of a tune -up. It is easy to reach, right under the big metal 'lid', in a carbureted engine; or in a rectangular box at the forward end of the air in a duct hose assembly.
Break Fluid : Check the brake fluid monthly. First wipe dirt from the brake master cylinder reservoir lid. Pry off the retainer clip and remove the lid or unscrew the plastic lid, depending on which type your vehicle has. If you need fluid, add the improved type and check for possible leaks throughout the system. Do not overfill.
Wiper Blades : Inspect the windscreen wiper blades whenever you clean your windshield. Do not wait until the rubber is worn or brittle to replace them. They should be replaced at least once per year, and more often if smearing occurs.
Shock Absorbers : Look for signs of oil seepage on shock absorbers, test shock action by bouncing the car up and down. The car should stop bouncing when you step back. Worn or leaking shocks should be replaced. Always replace shock absorbers in pairs.
Transmission Fluid : Check transmission fluid monthly with engine warm and running, and the parking brake on. Shift to drive, then to park. Remove dipstick, wipe dry, insert it and remove it again. Add the approved type fluid, if needed. Never overfill.
Power Steering Fluid : Check the power steering fluid level once per month. Check it by removing the reservoir dipstick. If the level is down, add fluid and inspect the pump and hoses for leaks.
Battery : Extreme caution should be taken while handling a battery since it can produce explosive gases. It is advisable not to smoke, create a spark or light a match near a battery. Always wear protective glasses and gloves .
Interior : The interior of the vehicles must always be spotlessly clean. Regular vaccum of the interior will prevent the deposition of any kind of sand, dust, grime or salt from damaging the floor surface. Wipe the dash, seats, instrument panel and the rear parcel shelf.For cleaning leather interiors, use only leather-cleaning products. Avoid cleaners with high alkaline content as they tend to bleach the color off the leather.
Exterior : A well maintained exterior is a sign of good maintenance and goes a long way in jacking up its resale value. This is especially important in coastal cities where salt air corrodes unprotected metal surfaces. Wash regularly to keep rust at bay.Wash windscreens with soap and water. Follow it up with clean water. Then use chamois leather to wipe all the spots dry. When the vehicle is dry, use a rag dipped in methylated spirit and water solution to polish the glass.
Air Filter : Check it every month. Replace it when it becomes dirty or as part of a tune -up. It is easy to reach, right under the big metal 'lid', in a carbureted engine; or in a rectangular box at the forward end of the air in a duct hose assembly.
Break Fluid : Check the brake fluid monthly. First wipe dirt from the brake master cylinder reservoir lid. Pry off the retainer clip and remove the lid or unscrew the plastic lid, depending on which type your vehicle has. If you need fluid, add the improved type and check for possible leaks throughout the system. Do not overfill.
Wiper Blades : Inspect the windscreen wiper blades whenever you clean your windshield. Do not wait until the rubber is worn or brittle to replace them. They should be replaced at least once per year, and more often if smearing occurs.
Shock Absorbers : Look for signs of oil seepage on shock absorbers, test shock action by bouncing the car up and down. The car should stop bouncing when you step back. Worn or leaking shocks should be replaced. Always replace shock absorbers in pairs.
Transmission Fluid : Check transmission fluid monthly with engine warm and running, and the parking brake on. Shift to drive, then to park. Remove dipstick, wipe dry, insert it and remove it again. Add the approved type fluid, if needed. Never overfill.
Power Steering Fluid : Check the power steering fluid level once per month. Check it by removing the reservoir dipstick. If the level is down, add fluid and inspect the pump and hoses for leaks.
Battery : Extreme caution should be taken while handling a battery since it can produce explosive gases. It is advisable not to smoke, create a spark or light a match near a battery. Always wear protective glasses and gloves .
Interior : The interior of the vehicles must always be spotlessly clean. Regular vaccum of the interior will prevent the deposition of any kind of sand, dust, grime or salt from damaging the floor surface. Wipe the dash, seats, instrument panel and the rear parcel shelf.For cleaning leather interiors, use only leather-cleaning products. Avoid cleaners with high alkaline content as they tend to bleach the color off the leather.
Exterior : A well maintained exterior is a sign of good maintenance and goes a long way in jacking up its resale value. This is especially important in coastal cities where salt air corrodes unprotected metal surfaces. Wash regularly to keep rust at bay.Wash windscreens with soap and water. Follow it up with clean water. Then use chamois leather to wipe all the spots dry. When the vehicle is dry, use a rag dipped in methylated spirit and water solution to polish the glass.
Maintenance in Miles travelled
3000 Mile Maintenance - Change engine oil in every 3000 miles. The filter should be changed at the same time. When you change the oil, check the fluids, the air filter, tires, hoses and belts. At check the battery cables and terminals for corrosion.
5000 - 10,000 Mile Maintenance - Rotate tires and balance it . 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 Mile Maintenance - Change the air filter and check the break fluids .
30,000 Mile Maintenance - Replace all spark plugs and wires. Check the fluid level .
Acquiring a vehicle is quite easy , but maintaining it is some what tough a task . So we should give good care to our automobiles too .
5000 - 10,000 Mile Maintenance - Rotate tires and balance it . 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 Mile Maintenance - Change the air filter and check the break fluids .
30,000 Mile Maintenance - Replace all spark plugs and wires. Check the fluid level .
Acquiring a vehicle is quite easy , but maintaining it is some what tough a task . So we should give good care to our automobiles too .