Checking oil
Posted on October 10, 2009
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A car’s engine must always have the right amount of oil. Otherwise, it can be seriously damaged. Checking the oil level of your car is pretty much simple and does not require the attention of a mechanic.
The oil dipstick is usually can be found sticking on one side of the engine. Newer car models have dipsticks that have brightly colored handles such as yellow, red, and orange for easy spotting.
Check the oil level at least every other week (I do it once a week). Make sure that the engine is cold and the car is on a level surface (no point in checking if your car is parked on an inclined street).
To check, have a rag handy. Pull the dipstick and wipe it clean with the rag. Return it, making sure that the stick is fully inserted. Pull it once again and check the oil mark. If it is between upper and lower limits on the dipstick then the oil is still fine. If it is below the lower limits (and if the oil�s color has become really black), then your car is in need of an oil change.
Changing headlight bulbs
Posted on September 10, 2009
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Try to avoid touching the headlight bulbs when changing car headlights. It’s like this. Most bulbs made for car headlights are filled with halogen. If you handle the glass with your bare hands, chances are you will leave invisible trace amounts of grease and oil on the glass of the headlights (oohh…. very CSI!). When the headlights are turned on, the bulb heats up and the traces of grease and oil on the glass will get hotter which eventually will cause the glass to crack. So when changing headlight bulbs, hold them at the metal base or use clean gloves.
Condense clean-up
Posted on August 10, 2009
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Make sure that you clean your car’s condenser to prevent the air-conditioning from
Make sure that you clean up your car’s condenser to prevent the air-conditioning from clogging-up,(which may result to slow cooling). Never use your air-conditioner with an open fresh air mode, this may slow down cooling. Never use the air-conditioning without a refrigerant system to compress it early. See to it that you moderate refrigerant use; excessive consumption results to minimized cooling while too little could also cause the same problem. See to it that the cables between the air-conditioner and the refrigerant are properly adjusted to make sure that air circulation is contained.
Rotate ‘em wheels
Posted on July 10, 2009
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Think of it as re-assigning your tires to different positions. You see, the position of your car’s tires can be detected by the wear pattern on them. Rotating your tires every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) can even out the wear so you don’t have to change them often. This is a good idea if you are on a budget and you want to get the best out of your existing tires. The actual swapping of the front wheels with the back also depends on the type of your vehicle. So if you’re a little apprehensive about it, you can ask your mechanic for some advice.
Source: Car Bible
Mile Maintenance II
Posted on June 10, 2009
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More on mile maintenance! You can schedule your car maintenance by the vehicle’s mileage. By keeping these tips in mind, it will be easier to remember scheduling car check-ups.
Air filter: The air filter can be changed every 15,000 miles. Why do this? It not only is essential to better air circulation, but it also saves your car fuel. You wouldn’t know about it but a clean air filter can prevent engines from stalling eventually. Other things to check is your brake system -the break pads and shoes shouldn’t be worn out. The break fluid should also be adequate and clear. If you hear an uncanny noise when the brakes are applied or if you experience shaking of the steering wheel shakes, then your brakes need some replacing.
Transmission fluid: This is done every 30,000 miles. Which fluid should be used can be verified on the owner’s manual. Don’t forget to do a little tune up. Replace the spark plugs and wires if needed.
Coolant: Change the coolant every 50,000 miles.
Brake break
Posted on May 10, 2009
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Have you seen those TV shows where the brakes fail on an unfortunate soul while driving? Brr… we sure don’t want that to happen to us, do we? In any case, here are some signs that you have brake problems:
Brake warning lights flash
Irregular noises such as squealing
Unusual pulsations in the brake pedal
Steering wheel shakes
Stopping distance increases
Car pulls to one side when you stop
So be sure to have your breaks checked and your break pads replaced regularly. Ask your mechanic for assistance regarding this. It is always better to be safe than be sorry.
Source: Cars.com
Mile Maintenance I
Posted on April 10, 2009
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You can schedule your car maintenance by the vehicle’s mileage. By keeping these tips in mind, it will be easier to remember scheduling car check-ups.
Change oil: This one can be done every 3000 miles. Don’t forget to change the oil filter at the same time. Other details you may need to look into are the fluids, air filter, tires, hoses, and belts. Battery cables and terminals may have corroded at this point so check them too. These can be cleaned with sandpaper. But if you are not sure on how to go about it, then it is better to have your car checked by a professional.
Tire rotation: Have your tires checked and rotated every five to ten thousand miles. Check the pressure of each tire and be on the look out for signs of tread wear and damage. There is a system to tire rotation in order to get the optimum performance for your tires. Ask your mechanic on the details for this.
Keeping it clean
Posted on March 10, 2009
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I’ve seen a lot of cars with Wash me written on them and I always shake my head at that. Don’t these people know that (squished) bugs, bird droppings, and limestone dripping can not only leave permanent stains but they can also ruin the paint? Dirty cars keep moisture in tact and they cause corrosion. And what does that leave you? Rust trouble. Preventing it is as easy as washing your car at least once a month or twice if you come into contact with dirt roads a lot. It will also help if you had your car pressure-washed to get to those hard-to-reach areas.
Checking the engine oil
Posted on February 28, 2009
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1. Park you care in a secure and level spot.
2. Pull out the engine oil dipstick and wipe it with a clean piece of cloth. If you don’t know where the engine oil dipstick is, consult the manual for the location.
3. After wiping, put the engine oil dipstick back into its place, and the pull it out. The oil level should be somewhere near the full mark, and should be changed when the color is black or dark brown. If the color is white, then you have an engine problem and should have your car inspected as soon as possible.
4. Refilling your engine oil is easy. It is recommended to use the same brand of oil you used before, pouring the oil slowly. Wait for the oil to settle before measuring the level again. Be very careful not to overfill it.
Summer’s Here – Check em’ Hoses
Posted on January 17, 2009
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Any automobile has a number of rubber hoses under the hood which is mostly used for the cooling system where an isolated link is needed between an externally mounted part and the engine itself. They are quite cheap but can cause major headaches should they fail without warning so best to include them in your regular inspection and replacement schedules. Check all of them, making sure they have no drips and leaks which is sure sign of pending failure. The large hoses are mostly for the engine cooling system connecting the radiator to the engine itself, taking away excess heat and cooling the engine properly. Warped or bloated hoses will eventually burst so replace any that show such signs.
There are also hoses in the fuel system, brakes, and the clutch that need inspection for any failure in these rubber hoses will cause major headaches. A burst steering hose will cause you to lose power steering immediately and can even damage your steering pump. For the brake, it’s more air lines but leaks can render them useless, unable to obtain enough pressure to drive the breaks. Fuel lines have rubber hoses connecting the metel lines to the fuel filter which can affect fuel economy. Checking and replacing these simple rubber hoses can save you a lot, in terms of major engine problems so take a good look and drive safely.