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In this section, you'll see step-by-step instructions on how to maintain your car, accompanied by lots of photos to show you what's what. You'll discover how easy it is to change the oil and filter, and how to perform many other basic service procedures. You can start with simple weekly maintenance while you're waiting for the gas tank to fill up (and keep your mind off the price!). This simple procedure can save you from being stranded at the side of the road--or in the clutches of Dishonest John's Auto Shop. And you won't even have to get your hands dirty.
If you're hesitant to step into the world of auto maintenance, you're not alone. But fear not! My mechanic and I will be with you every step of the way--and we brought my digital camera to show you what everything looks like. Let the fun begin! |
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Gas Pump Maintenance
Where to start? How can you start the habit of car care without planning your life around it? The best place start, in my opinion, is at the gas pump! You have to buy gas, right? And you have to stand there while the tank fills up, right? So why not make those few minutes productive and go through some easy-to-remember steps that can make a difference between an expensive repair and a drive-forever car?
It really can be that easy to start your car care habit. In fact, that’s what this section is all about. Maybe you’ll decide to hire someone else to change the car’s oil and tackle other tasks, but if you can get into the habit of checking it every time you fill it up, your car can live longer—and make your life a little easier.
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Driveway Maintenance
Doing your own “maintenance” at the gas pump prepares you for the next step: driveway maintenance. Even if you’ve never popped the hood on a car you now can make a habit of car care with just a few minutes. This section offers easy care steps that you can tackle about once a month to keep your car on the road longer. They are basic, but important tasks that will take you just a few minutes.
About the only tool you’ll need is a shop rag or old washcloth to keep your hands clean. If you prefer, you can also wear surgical gloves to ensure that oil and gunk won’t ruin your manicure. All of these checks are done at the front of your car, so pop the hood and let’s get started.
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Change Oil and Filter
As you’ve seen, oil is the life-blood of your car’s engine¾and the engine is a pretty important part of your car. So making sure that the oil is doing its job is a vital part of maintenance. Here’s where you can save some time, money, and potential repairs with an investment of less than 20 bucks about four times a year. This section offers step-by-step instructions for the most popular do-it-yourself car care job: changing oil and filter. It includes info on exactly what parts and tools you’ll need to do the job in less than an hour. Once you get some experience you can cut that time in half. And you’ll know the job is done by someone who cares about your car, rather than by a minimum-wage daydreamer who may forget to put on the new filter.
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Semi-Annual Maintenance
Twice a year (every-other-quarterly maintenance) you also can perform other vital maintenance procedures that will keep your car on the road longer. They’re just as easy—especially if you do them at the same time as an oil and filter change. What are they? Tires, brakes, and suspension.
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Annual Maintenance
Today’s cars require so much less maintenance than dad’s car. However, when something goes wrong on today’s car it takes a cosigner to get it repaired. That’s a big reason why you or some other trustworthy soul should make sure that required car maintenance gets done.
Once a year, maintenance gets a little more technical. Some of the jobs, like changing the air filter are relatively easy. Others, like adjusting valves are tougher, especially as the number of valves on modern engines increases. This section will show you what typically is done for annual maintenance so you can decide what’s a do-it-yourself job and what isn’t.
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Bi-Annual Maintenance
About every two years (or 30,000 miles) there will be additional car care jobs for your To-Do list. Some are relatively easy while are others require tools and experience you may not have. In any case, this section offers a look at those—and future—maintenance chores that can keep your car on the road longer.
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