Take your exam before starting the car to avoid injury caused by a hot tire or a moving part of the engine. Check the tension by pressing the center of the longest exposed belt stroke while holding a ruler next to it. If you can press the belt 1/2 to 1 inch, but no more, no less, the tension is good. Otherwise, adjust the belt tension yourself according to your car’s service manual or let your dealer or car repair service do it.
Use synthetic engine oil or gear lubricant for longer transmission life unless the manufacturer recommends otherwise. The PCV valve is an emissions control device in older cars – check your service manual to see if your car has one. The valve recirculates partially burned gases from the engine crankcase to the combustion chamber. Important for a properly functioning engine, the valve should be replaced every 30,000 miles or as specified in the owner’s manual. In addition to helping to get the most out of a gas tank, it helps prevent the buildup of harmful sludge and corrosion. When replacing your PCV valve, make sure you are using the correct one, otherwise it may damage your engine.
Although it is a fairly simple repair, you should first consult the user manual before attempting to replace the windshield wipers. The manual specifies the correct blade size for your vehicle and includes instructions on how to replace them. While you can get Mobile Mechanic Reading by with universal knives, it’s best to go with any size the manufacturer recommends. If the stripe of the windows or blades beeps when the system is running, it’s time for a replacement set. This is actually a very important vehicle maintenance measure.
Also check the fluid level of your power steering, hoses and belts for signs of wear. Also check the level of transmission fluid after heating your car. Your driving behaviour reflects the condition of your car. When you drive smartly and safely, not only is there less wear and tear on your car, but you can also save on fuel costs. So start looking at your acceleration and braking behavior today.
The most common answer was to change your oil, but to the question of how often people were a little less informed. That was pretty much the same when asked about their belts, hoses, batteries, coolant, windshield wipers, etc. The wheels of your car are there on the road and take the brunt of the dirt off the road. Add the dust that wears out your brake pads and you have a formula for stains that are difficult to remove when you wash your vehicle. You will need a wheel cleaner specially formulated to remove such stains.
It’s always a good idea to spend a little now to save much later if you can, and that’s exactly what strategic car maintenance is all about. The following is a checklist of automotive tasks that won’t cost you much upfront, but can save you a lot of money in the long run. Some will improve your fuel economy, others will prevent small problems from becoming big problems. But they’re all relatively simple and easy, but they have the potential to save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars over the life of your car. Drivers in Long Beach know that if you want your car to last, you need to take care of it, and that means maintenance. But when we asked local drivers what they need to do to make their cars last longer, let’s say their answers were a bit light on the details.
There is literally no better way to recognize emerging problems before they fester and avoid expensive repairs. Your father knew that frequent oil changes were key to keeping his Buick on the road for another year. That’s where the function of your radiator is required, and the fluid supplied to you is your engine’s coolant. If the coolant in the tank is almost empty or if it is not there, the heat from the engine will not get into the environment. Before you leave your driveway, check your engine’s coolant levels as part of your car’s maintenance checklist. Today, most cars have coolant tanks that are translucent in some way and have the correct level markings on the panel.