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Practice
preventive medicine for engines
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Rubber
components, such as fan belts and hoses are usually the first parts to go
on the typical car, even before the vehicle has covered 30,000 miles. If
you live in a temperate area, every three to four years should suffice.
If your car has an overhead camshaft belt instead of a chain, it's especially
critical that you replace it regularly-every 60,000 to 80,000 miles in most
cases (check your owner's manual for the exact recommendation). If the overhead
camshaft belt breaks, your car could require a complete engine replacement.
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Choose
the correct oil for your vehicle.
The owner's manual will recommend the proper viscosity for your car. Don't
waste money on expensive synthetic oils. CU's
tests have shown that they don't boost the performance of most cars. The
exceptions: If you frequently drive in a very hot or very cold climate or
make short trips (three miles or less), a synthetic oil may be preferable.
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Change
the car's oil and filter every 5000 to 7500 miles. CU's tests have found
that most newer cars don't require oil changes every 3000 miles.
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Don't
bother with expensive oil and engine additives; they may actually damage
your engine.
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Keep
your vehicle's fluid clean. To keep the cooling system unclogged, drain
and replace antifreeze every two years in hot climates, and every three
to four years in more temperate areas. It's a good idea to replace hoses
and flush the cooling system with a radiator flushing solution before adding
new antifreeze.
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Replace
the transmission fluid-and filter if your vehicle has one-every 36,000 miles.
Change earlier if the normally pink fluid takes on a brown tinge or smells
"burnt." If the fluid has a burnt odor, have the car's transmission inspected
before an oil change; the transmission may need certain adjustments.
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Check
your car's engine once a week for oil leaks and dirt. If you spot a grimy
area, wipe it clean with a dry cloth. Recheck in two days to see if oil
or dirt has reappeared; if so, take your car in for a checkup. Don't try
to clean the engine by hosing it down. Water may seep into electrical connections,
and could trigger a short circuit.
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If
you regularly drive in stop-and-go traffic, run your car at highway speed
for 20 minutes once a month. This will heat up the engine and burn off condensation
that can attack both the oil and the internal parts of the engine.
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| Exercise
air-conditioners and heating systems |
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Run
your car's air conditioner for about 5 minutes each month, even during the
winter, to keep the system well lubricated and prevent failures.
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Run
your car's heater for about 5 to 10 minutes a couple of times during the
summer to prevent the air-distribution system from sticking or seizing up.
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| Care
for brakes, tires, batteries, and transmissions |
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Watch
for brake-fluid leaks. Try to park your car in the same place in your garage
or carport each night. If you have a slow leak, you'll notice fluid in the
same spot on the floor (check once a week).
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To
lengthen the life of brake pads and rotors, avoid making frequent sudden
stops. Make a point of slowing down gradually by pressing lightly on the
brakes.
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Check
tires twice a month for abnormal wear. Make sure there's no scalloping or
feathering on the outside treads, or scalloping where one edge of the tire
lug is higher than the other. Such symptoms signal a misalignment of tires,
which can cause premature tire wear as well as extra stress on the car's
steering system.
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Rotate
tires every 7500 miles to preserve them (sooner if you frequently drive
at high speeds or negotiate tight turns in parking areas).
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Several
times a year, check battery  terminals
for gooey white deposits. Use a wire brush to whisk off deposits, then clean
the entire battery with a mixture of 2 teaspoons baking soda and 1 pint
of water. Use a clean cloth to pat battery dry before applying a dielectric
grease (which doesn't conduct electricity) to the battery terminals. You
can buy dielectric grease at auto supply stores.
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To
extend the life of your car's transmission, come to a complete stop before
shifting between reverse and a forward gear. If your car has a manual transmission,
keep your foot on the brake and fully depress the clutch when stopped temporarily
on a hill (in other words, don't slip the clutch!). Do the same when stopped
at a long light. Also, always fully depress the clutch when changing gears.
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| Give
tender, loving care to exteriors |
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Wax
your car three times a year-in the summer, fall, and spring-especially if
you must park outside.
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Lubricate
door hinges and locks with a penetrating grease or graphite lubricant spray
once a year. Constant opening and closing of doors allows dirt to creep
into and eat away at hinges. Also, if you lubricate hinges and locks regularly,
you won't have to slam the car's doors, which can damage their electrical
and mechanical parts.
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Hose
down the undercarriage of your car several times during the winter, especially
if you frequently drive in snow and your car is exposed to road salt, which
can cause corrosion. Pay special attention to wheel arches and rocker panels.
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| Take
your car for regular checkups |
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For
both routine servicing and major repairs on cars less than six years old,
take the vehicle to the dealer. A dealership employs people specifically
trained to repair the cars it sells. But avoid being talked into costly
additional checks and repairs before getting a second opinion from a trusted
technician. |
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