How to Maintain Your Car
Cars need to be maintained frequently in order to stay healthy. Your vehicle needs your attention more often than most people realize. Some people don’t even know the least little thing about maintaining a vehicle. Your vehicle is basically a weapon if used incorrectly and if you don’t maintain it there’s a greater risk of hurting yourself or others. I will go through some of these maintenance methods in full detail, the methods I will be discussing are fluids, air filter, and oil. Preventative maintenance will save you money and headaches.
Just like a human being, your car needs fluids to survive. If they were taken away, your vehicle would quickly find its way to the shoulder and beg for a drink. Maintaining proper fluid levels is an essential and easy maintenance task. Even armchair mechanics can perform this one. It's fun, quick, and can add thousands of miles to the life of your car. This procedure is particularly important if you're planning on a long road trip and want to travel safely and efficiently.
The systems that need checking include the following:
• engine transmission
• radiator/cooling system
• brakes
• window washer
• Transmission
Engine. Find a cool, shady spot to pop the hood. Let the car sit for at least five minutes before checking, to give the oil time to settle into the oil pan. With the hood open, locate the dipstick. It will be near the front of the engine, close to you, and sometimes has a brightly colored handle, yellow, red, or some other noticeable color. OK, remove it and wipe it with a clean rag or towel. Reinsert it into hole, and then slowly remove it again. Check the level. The oil mark should fall between the two hash marks on the dipstick. If it's below the lower level, you need to add oil -- a quart will usually do it. Before you do so, though, wipe the dipstick again and check it a second time. Still low? Add a quart and recheck it. (It's best to add the oil, and then start the engine to circulate it, and
Just like a human being, your car needs fluids to survive. If they were taken away, your vehicle would quickly find its way to the shoulder and beg for a drink. Maintaining proper fluid levels is an essential and easy maintenance task. Even armchair mechanics can perform this one. It's fun, quick, and can add thousands of miles to the life of your car. This procedure is particularly important if you're planning on a long road trip and want to travel safely and efficiently.
The systems that need checking include the following:
• engine transmission
• radiator/cooling system
• brakes
• window washer
• Transmission
Engine. Find a cool, shady spot to pop the hood. Let the car sit for at least five minutes before checking, to give the oil time to settle into the oil pan. With the hood open, locate the dipstick. It will be near the front of the engine, close to you, and sometimes has a brightly colored handle, yellow, red, or some other noticeable color. OK, remove it and wipe it with a clean rag or towel. Reinsert it into hole, and then slowly remove it again. Check the level. The oil mark should fall between the two hash marks on the dipstick. If it's below the lower level, you need to add oil -- a quart will usually do it. Before you do so, though, wipe the dipstick again and check it a second time. Still low? Add a quart and recheck it. (It's best to add the oil, and then start the engine to circulate it, and