Must know car maintenance info
updated last on 06/06/2006
Rule #1 - Know what to check monthly on your car
Rule #2 - Know where to find answers
Rule #3 - Check your car before trips and monthly
Rule #4 - Think ahead, know what to do in an emergency
Rule #5 - When gas is half empty, fill it up.
Rule #6 - Before trips, check oil, air in tires, wiper fluid, fill gas.
Rule #7 - Trips - take blanket, gallon of water, box of crackers.
Rule #8 - Glove box - keep car registration, insurance papers, state map.
Rule #9 - Get a car phone charger to keep in your car (for your cell phone).
Monthly check AIR PRESSURE in tires, 32 psi is good.
(psi means pounds per square inch of air pressure)
Your car glove box should have an owners manual that
will tell you all the specifics you should know about
your car. Tire air pressure, type of transmission oil,
weight of engine oil, brake fluid type, etc.
Too much or too little air in your tires can cause an
accident like a tire blowout or loss of control.
Under the hood of the car is an engine oil dipstick.
It is best to check this oil level when the engine is cool,
like in the morning. If the oil is below the LOW mark,
you should add 1 quart of oil. Usually it is 10W-30 Weight Oil.
Again, your car owner manual can tell you or a window sticker
from your last oil change.
You should get a "Lube, Oil and Filter" change every 3,000 to 7,000
miles you put on your car. This will cost $20-$35. If you have a
brand new car I'd change the oil after the first 500 miles and then
again after the next 1,000 miles as a new engine will have some
metal filings from the manufacturing process getting worked out.
This will help your engine last a long time. I usually change my oil
every 3,500 to 4,000 miles to help the engine last longer.
When you change your oil have the service staff check your fluid levels!
This will include minor stuff like window washer fluid and major stuff
like brake fluid level and transmission fluid.
keckr@swbell.net