If you’re like most people, your vehicle represents one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make. He takes pride in his trip: he insures it, washes it, and repairs it. So nothing annoys you more than the car you’ve worked so hard for and saved so much time for breakdowns.
Your car not only gets you to your places safely, efficiently and comfortably, it has become a symbol of your personal independence, illustrating the freedom to choose where you drive, how you drive and when you drive there. When his car is “in the shop,” he begins to realize how dependent he is on his car.
Knowing a few basics about your vehicle and scheduling regular maintenance can help save money on repairs and help keep you out of the shop for major fixes. We’ve put together some frequently asked questions and answers about car care for your convenience.
Are my tires properly inflated?
The correct auto tire pressure for a vehicle is determined by the size and weight of the motor vehicle, the type of auto tires used, the load being carried, and the type of automotive driving for which the vehicle is intended. The motor vehicle manufacturer places a tire inflation placard on each vehicle that indicates the proper tire inflation pressures for that motor vehicle. This cabinet is located on the inside of the glove box door, inside the fuel filler door, or on the door post on the driver’s side of the car (depending on the manufacturer). Most car manufacturers also list tire inflation levels in the owner’s manual.
How often should I change my engine oil/filter?
According to automotive experts, regularly scheduled oil/filter changes are the single most important element in extending the life of a car’s engine. Most new motor vehicles have recommended oil/filter change intervals of 7,500 miles and some new motor vehicles have recommended oil change intervals of 11,000 to 15,000 miles under normal operating conditions, with “normal” operation described as the operation of the vehicle for at least 20 minutes at average speed, with a constant throttle and in a clean driving environment.
Short trips to the shop, stop-start driving at peak hours, driving on dirt roads, and operating in inclement weather are all considered severe operating conditions that can cause impurities to build up rapidly in the oil, causing impurities to build up quickly. resulting in increased wear on internal components. Share. That’s why most car owner’s manuals and auto mechanics recommend changing your oil and filter every three months or 3,000 miles (whichever comes first) to ensure maximum engine lubrication occurs while suspending a Minimum of impurities in the oil. To find out the recommended oil change frequency for your vehicle, check your car’s owner’s manual or talk to your automotive service professional.
What can I do if my car overheats?
If you are driving at normal highway speed and the automatic vehicle begins to overheat, turn off the air conditioning, turn on the heater, and immediately pull over to the shoulder. Chances are that if the vehicle begins to overheat at highway speeds, there is a problem with the cooling system, such as low coolant, a clogged radiator, a broken drive belt, or a broken hose. Once on the shoulder, turn off the car engine, open the hood and allow the car engine to cool down, minimum 20 minutes. Once the over-boiling stops and the car’s engine has cooled, look for obvious signs of trouble. DO NOT attempt to open the car’s radiator cap unless the car’s engine is off and the top of the radiator is cool. If there is no noticeable problem, such as a broken drive belt or broken hose, you can add a mixture of coolant and water to the radiator or overflow reservoir, start the vehicle, and drive slowly to a service center.
How often should I tune up my car?
The term “tune up” really only applies to older cars without electronic ignition (before 1981). On these motor vehicles, a tune-up is generally required every 15,000 – 20,000 miles and consists of replacing the spark plugs, ignition contact points, distributor rotor and cap, and adjusting the ignition timing and carburetor.
On modern motor vehicles equipped with electronic ignition, fuel injection, and computer controls, the term “engine performance maintenance” is a more accurate term. A “tune-up” for these newer vehicles is an orderly process of inspection, computer diagnostics, testing, and adjustment to maintain the car’s peak engine performance, maximum operating efficiency, and low car tailpipe emissions. During this process, spark plugs, spark plug wires, sensors, and modules can be replaced. How often a newer motor vehicle needs a tune-up depends more on driving conditions than mileage, and recommended tune-up frequencies vary between 30,000 and 100,000 miles, depending on the manufacturer. To find out how often your motor vehicle needs a tune-up, check your owner’s manual or talk to your local automotive service provider.
Does my transmission ever need service?
Most car care experts change an automatic transmission fluid and filter every two years or 24,000 miles to keep it in good working order. This is especially important if the vehicle is more than five years old. Many motor vehicles newer than five years may need scheduled service less frequently, and some newer motor vehicles have transmissions that do not need scheduled service for the life of the car.
However, compliant service may not be appropriate if your vehicle is being driven hard, towing a trailer, going off the road, or carrying an RV. Under these conditions, the car’s fluid and filter may need to be changed more frequently, every 12 months or 12,000 miles, because dirt and moisture buildup in the fluid can cause internal damage. Heat buildup can also be a problem. The harder the car’s transmission works, the hotter the fluid gets and the faster it breaks down. For the recommended service schedule for your car’s transmission, check your owner’s manual or talk to your local automotive service provider.
Manual transmissions generally do not need regularly scheduled service, but may need service due to clutch wear and waste bearings and broken timing gears. Check your owner’s manual for specific manual transmission service information or talk to your local auto service provider.