Tips on automotive maintenance procedures that will prepare your vehicle for summer are given by an auto service as a public service on its website. Scott?s Automotive, Inc. provides both easy maintenance procedures that vehicle owners can do by themselves and more complicated maintenance procedures that should be done by a professionally trained and skilled automotive mechanic.

Guess what?? These are the last two fluids left to check every month, to keep your vehicle sufficiently hydrated and all of its thirsts quenched. These two fluids, while not crucial to the life of your vehicle, make driving that vehicle more pleasant and comfortable. Also, these are the only two fluids that do get used up. If the levels get low, adding the proper fluids is something that needs to be done for the mechanical equipment to work. No washer fluid, no clean windshield. No air conditioning refrigerant, no air conditioning.

Air Conditioning Refrigerant

Checking the level of your air conditioning refrigerant is a procedure that your technician will have to complete for you. Because it is not actually a fluid, but a gas. In most of the newer model cars, there is a light in the instrument panel that goes on when your refrigerant is low, or there is some other problem with the air conditioning.

Windshield Washer Fluid

Almost every newer model vehicle on the roads today has a light in the instrument panel that will tell you when you are low on washer fluid. And most vehicles that are equipped with rear windshield wipers will have a receptacle located in the rear of the vehicle that contains the fluid for the rear windshield. Your owner?s manual will tell you how to access that container.

Although it seems as if it would be logical, and certainly less expensive to simply use a household window cleaner to refill your vehicles washer fluid, it is not a good idea. Household cleaners are just not designed for windshield use. These fluids would freeze in the winter and crack the reservoir, and they would not be able to adequately remove the road salt, bugs, or any other nameless disgusting thing that hits your windshield at speeds of 50 miles per hour, or more.

Checking the level and refilling your windshield washer fluid reservoir is a very simple process.

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Conducting periodic maintenance will ensure its performance capabilities and life of your vehicle. The following are general recommended intervals for your passenger vehicle, SUV, minivan and pickup truck and are based on oil changes performed every 3,000 miles. Always read your owner’s manual for other recommendations.

Every month check the following:

? Engine light. If the engine light remains lit after the vehicle is started; check the owner’s manual for possible malfunctions. The vehicle may have an emissions or sensor problem. If it is blinking, it indicates a more serious problem and needs immediate attention.

? Lights, inside and outside the vehicle. Check the fuses first, then the light bulbs. Buy the recommended size and type for your vehicle at your local auto parts shop. If you are unsure of the type, the helpers at the auto parts shop can locate the right light or fuse.

? Proper tire inflation and condition. Not only does the correct pressure help ensure the life of the tire, but also your gas mileage. Check tread and general condition of each tire including the spare. The tires should be free of bulges, cracks and uneven wear. Any of these imperfections are a sign of needed replacement.

? Windshield washer fluid. Some vehicles have two reservoirs. If the fluid is low, do not replace with regular tap water. Fill with only windshield washer fluid from your local auto parts shop.

Every 3 months or 3000 miles (whichever comes first) check the following:

? Automatic Transmission Fluid. Check the fluid with the engine running and transmission in park. If the dipstick indicates it is low, add the manufacturer’s recommended type until the dipstick indicates it is full. If the fluid type is unknown or difficult to read on the dipstick, contact your local auto parts shop and ask for help. ATF only needs to be changed every 2 years or 24,000 miles.

? Battery and Cables. Battery cables should be clean and securely mounted. If the battery is three years old or more, it should be tested and checked and replaced if necessary. Visit Parts Plus Auto store to buy a battery if necessary.

? Belts. Check V and serpentine belts for wear and tear. They should not have visible signs of cracking, fraying, or glazing this indicates excessive wear and needs replacement. The timing belt is typically replaced every 60,000 to 90,000 miles and can be bought or ordered from an auto parts shop.

? Air and oil filters. Inspect engine air filters at every oil change and replace annually or sooner if the filter is oil soaked or shows signs of excessive wear. Oil filters should be changed and replaced at every oil change to maximize an engine’s performance.

? Fuel Filter. Inspect. For vehicles with carburetors, the filter should be replaced annually while those with fuel injection only needs replaced every two years or 24,000 miles.

? Hoses. Inspect and change when cracked, leaking, rusted or restricted.

? Power steering fluid. Check when the car is warm and if topping off is required regularly, then it is time to get it checked for leaks.

? Follow monthly checks as well.

Every 6 months or 6000 miles in addition to regular monthly maintenance and 3 month checks:

? Chassis lubrication. Most newer model vehicles do not require this check although steering and suspension components may need lubrication.

? Exhaust. Inspect for leaks, cracks and damaged supports or hangers. A leaking exhaust is dangerous and needs maintenance immediately.

? Polish. Use only automotive polish instead of regular dish soap to prevent removing the original polish from the vehicle. Automobiles only need waxed and polished twice a year.

? Wiper blades. Replace if chipped, cracked, streaking or excessively worn.

Every 9 months or 9000 miles ? same as 3 and 6-month maintenance checks.

Every 12 months or 12,000 miles check the following:

? Brakes. Check entire brake system including rotors, drums and brake linings. Most replacement parts are sold at the auto parts shop.

? Cabin air filter. Replace once a year or in places where air contaminants are worse or when heating and cooling is not working properly.

? Coolant (antifreeze). Change annually when the engine is cold; mix with a 50/50 solution as recommended by the owner’s manual. Some brands are premixed and are sold at auto parts shops.

? Steering and Suspension. Inspect the entire system and replace as needed. Symptoms of a replacement needed are uneven tire wear and excessive bouncing after bumps.

Keep a schedule of monthly maintenance in your car, so you will know what service is required at your vehicle’s next check up. Many owners’ manuals have a place to write down service dates and maintenance performed.

Preventative maintenance is important because it keeps your car running smoothly, avoiding the problems that come from a lack of care. Having your car serviced at a good foreign or domestic automotive maintenance shop is important to ensure that it gets the best care possible.

Here are some of the standard foreign and domestic automotive maintenance procedures that you should be sure to have done periodically:

Oil Changes: This is one of the most obvious, yet it is also one of the most frequently overlooked. Changing your oil and oil filter every three thousand miles keeps your engine running smoothly. Not changing your oil and oil filter often enough, on the other hand, can be disastrous: Over time, the additives in your engine oil break down, and the oil becomes thick and sludge-like. When this happens, the oil creates resistance on the engine, causing buildup and premature wear. Old engine oil can also cause the rubber seals in your engine to prematurely dry out and crack, creating leaks that can be quite expensive to fix.

There are a lot of quick-lube places that will change your oil quickly and cheaply, which may make you question the need to take your car to a good foreign or domestic automotive maintenance shop. However, it is definitely worth the extra money to make sure an experienced professional services your car. It is not uncommon for quick-lube shops to employ inexperienced teenagers at minimum wage, and horror stories (driving off without oil in the engine, finding months later that the oil plug won’t come out because it was stripped) abound.

Air Filter Replacement: Replacing the air filter is another important precaution that many people forget about. The silly thing is that this is also the easiest thing you’ll have to do on your car. Just as easy, if not easier, as filling the washer fluid on some cars. In fact, this one is so easy that you may not even have to get a foreign or domestic automotive maintenance shop to do it for you. Just make sure you get a high quality replacement filter. If you are not sure where it goes, ask. There will be a couple of clips you’ll have to undo to open the air filter box, but that’s about it.

Your air filter should be replaced once or twice a year. Every six months, you should at least check it. If it looks dirty, replace it. The better airflow your engine gets, the better it will perform, which to you means higher gas mileage and lower maintenance costs over time.

Basic Tune-Up: A tune-up basically involves replacing a bunch of inexpensive, quick-to-wear-out parts, and checking out a bunch of more expensive, slower-to-wear-out parts. This should be done once a year, but again, many people aren’t very good at making sure it gets done regularly.

A basic tune-up involves replacing (or cleaning and re-gapping) your spark plugs, replacing your distributor cap and rotor, and checking and/or replacing your spark plug wires. Other parts that might need to be replaced during a tune-up are your PCV (positive crankcase ventilation valve) and your oxygen sensor. All of these can affect the way your car runs, causing your gas mileage to go down and the carbon monoxide in your exhaust to go up.

Radiator Flush and Coolant Replacement: Your cooling system is a vital system. It prevents your engine from overheating, which can ruin an entire engine in mere minutes. Your cooling system therefore ought to be treated with respect, which means flushing your radiator and replacing the coolant every year or so, preferably at the end of summer or fall, before the cold weather hits.

The reason for flushing your radiator and replacing the coolant is that the Ph balance in antifreeze breaks down after a while, destroying many of its protective properties. Not only will it not cool to as low a temperature, but it will also begin to allow rust to form in your cooling system, which may lead to premature leaks in your radiator.

Be sure your replacement coolant is half water and half antifreeze. The 50/50 mixture has the lowest possible freezing temperature, the highest possible boiling point (meaning your coolant won’t boil on hot days), and will protect against corrosion inside the system.

Automatic Transmission Fluid and Filter Replacement: Many people don’t realize that their automatic transmission contains fluid and a filter that need to be replaced periodically, just like an engine. Unfortunately, neglecting this maintenance repair can result in parts in the transmission going out more quickly than they should, requiring you to overhaul or replace your transmission, which is a costly venture, to say the least.

The fluid and filter in your automatic transmission should typically be replaced about every 25,000 miles, which is less than a year’s worth of driving for most cars. The oil in a standard transmission doesn’t need to be replaced as frequently. Replacement about once every couple of years, unless you happen to do a lot of hard driving, such as towing.

Keeping up on these five preventative maintenance repairs will ensure that you maximize the life of your car. A good foreign or domestic automotive maintenance shop can help you keep track of the required maintenance, making sure that you don’t miss anything important.

Auto inspection is the term commonly used to mean vehicle inspection covering automobiles and trucks. There are several reasons why a vehicle undergoes auto inspection. One is when this is required by law. Another is when a vehicle is being sold as a used automobile or truck and the buyer requests the auto inspection. Finally, it is recommended that a vehicle owner bring his or her own automobile or truck for auto inspection by a highly skilled automotive mechanic every year or two as part of preventive maintenance. Tampa vehicle owners should take note of this.

Auto Safety Inspection Required By Law

The law requires auto safety inspection to make certain that vehicles are road worthy, preventing harm to the drivers, passengers, the other people on the road and even the environment. There are specific automotive shops that are licensed to perform such required auto inspections, with specially trained vehicle inspectors.

Auto safety inspection covers the vehicle?s brakes, tires, engine, transmission system, muffler, horn, lights, mirrors, windshield, windshield wipers and window glass. To pass clean air inspection, the vehicle?s emission control system is checked and the chemical content of its exhaust is tested.

Failure to pass any of the safety tests means the automobile or truck needs to undergo immediate repair and another round of tests.

To pass, vehicle owners should ensure the following before bringing the vehicle for auto safety inspection.

All tires, including the spare tire, should be in good condition with no bulges, bald areas, cuts or any fabric showing. Tread depth around the tire circumference and across 75% of tire breadth should be no less than one millimeter.

There should be no leaks at all, whether of gasoline or any other fluid.

The brakes should be working properly and should be able to stop the vehicle within 50 feet when running at 25 miles an hour.

There should be no leaks in the exhaust system and the sound of engine exhaust has to be effectively reduced by the muffler.

The horn should be in good working condition, as do the lights, including headlights, parking lights, turn signals and license plate lights.

The windshield should be made of clear glass and any tint should be only a strip of not more than four inches from the top of the windshield. The windshield wipers and their rubber blades should be working properly.

The mirrors should provide clear views of the rear and sides of the vehicle.

All glass used in windows should have no holes, breaks or cracks. Tinting is allowed by law only up to 35%.

Pre-Sale Auto Inspection of Used Vehicles

The type of auto inspection required by buyers of used vehicles is meant to ensure that the vehicle is a worthy purchase. The buyer needs to trust the mechanic who will check the vehicle?s engine, transmission system, brakes, cooling system, instrumentation, wheels, tires, body, interior, underbody and everything else for signs of damage or any impending problems. The mechanic then gives the buyer a report.

Auto Inspection for Vehicle Maintenance

Auto inspection for vehicle maintenance is a voluntary procedure by vehicle owners. This ensures that the vehicle is kept in prime condition and that any potential problems are discovered early on and are acted upon. This is not only ensures that you are able to protect your investment in the vehicle but, more importantly, prevents any future accidents caused by malfunction.

Take care of your engine and car transmission system. Follow all maintenance procedures such as truck and auto oil change. Make sure you use reliable car and truck parts such as those from AC Delco. Proper maintenance and timely auto and truck repair by a qualified automotive mechanic will ensure that your vehicle always passes any auto inspection in Tampa.

Purchasing a vehicle is a major financial step. In order to enjoy the return on your investment, you need to perform maintenance on your car or truck. However, you can save a lot of money on your next oil change or set of tires if you know where to look and what to do. If you take your time and shop around, you can save up to 50% off your next automotive project.

Spending Money on Maintenance Can Save You Money

Studies show that most major auto repairs are directly related to lack of maintenance. Consider that most oil changes cost as little as 30 dollars, but a new motor will cost you thousands. Most auto makers will provide a checklist of things on your vehicle that need maintenance on a monthly of yearly schedule. Performing these small tasks can leave your vehicle running like new for years to come.

Join a Car Care Club

The cost of vehicle repairs can vary from shop to shop. Many repair shops now offer car care clubs for loyal customers. They might offer your tenth oil change free or a huge discount on your fourth set of new tires. These clubs can save you a lot of money over the years. When you are in search of this type of offer, look for a shop that has been in business for a long time. It is no fun to get to the goal and find the business is no longer open. You should also look for quality workmanship; never sacrifice service just to get a discount.

Do It Yourself

Even if you have no automotive experience, there are many things you can do yourself. Buy a manual for your vehicle that provides step by step instructions. Most auto repair costs are high because of labor costs. You will find that in most cases, the parts required are only a fraction of the cost. Rather than paying an automotive shop fifty dollars to change a light bulb, you can buy the part for just a few dollars and do it yourself. However, you need to make sure that any task you decide to take on will not void your existing warranty.

Buy Online

If you need automotive parts you can often find great prices online. When you are in search of that specialty part, this can also be a great option. There are many large part companies online. You will find that many offer substantial savings over your local parts supply store. Cutting out the middle man can save you a lot of money on auto parts. Consider that every time an auto part changes hands, the price is marked up a little more. Order directly from the distributor and save yourself up to 50%.

Use Coupons for Auto Service

You can often find coupons for auto maintenance or repair. Some companies offer an opt-in list that you can join. They will send you coupons by mail or email. You can also look on coupons sites online and find many great coupons. If you live close to major auto chains, this can be a good option.

What’s a good reference book for automotive repair, maintenance, and tuning. I’m trying to learn all I can about cars and need a good place to start. I’m hoping to get to the point where I can do mods and performance tuning one day (not ****** rice cans, I mean American V8 classics and modern muscle cars).

Author: Sam Postema

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Article Link: http://www.mineeds.com/Lansing/Professional-Fleet-Services-Auto-Repair/Articles/Engine-fluids-and-vehicle-maintenace-What-you-need-to-know-809

Tags: Auto Brake Repair , Auto Engine Repair , Auto Muffler & Exhaust Repair , Auto Radiator Repair , Auto Repair Mechanics , Auto Transmission Repair , Car Oil Change / Auto Service

Engine Fluids and General Maintenance

What You Need to Know

How often should you change your oil?

How often should I change my transmission fluid?

How often should I change drive train fluids for rear wheel drive and 4 wheel drive vehicles?

At what mileage should I start performing maintenance on my vehicle?

Is it expensive? ? Why should I do it?

These are all great questions!

Unfortunately there are as many answers as there are brands of oils on the market today.

Vehicles today are capable of driving 200,000 ? 500,000 miles on the original drive train parts. Most fluid changes cost between $19 ? 100. The part the fluid protects costs between $1,500 ? 10,000 and more!

Once a vehicle arrives at the 80,000 ? 100,000 mile mark, the fluids have outlived their useful life span. They are no longer able to fully protect your vehicle.

All vehicles have a manufacturer recommended service schedule. What most people do not know is there is up to three different maintenance schedules per vehicle. They are based on the kind of driver you are, the climate you live in and what the vehicle is being used for.

The oil life indicator on most vehicles today does not take these situations into consideration. They use a generic interpretation from above or only one of the above methods. They also do not take into consideration what brand or type of fluid is being used.

Most vehicles today that use the extended drain interval either recommend the use of synthetic oils or require them. The reason for this is the engines, transmissions and drive train components operate at a higher temperature and performance level than they did 10-15-20 years ago. Synthetic oils can last longer under extreme conditions without failing to protect the part they are lubricating. They also are much less likely to cause build up and leave behind sludge.

As of 1998 and newer, ALL vehicles either recommended or required the use of synthetics. Not all synthetics are created equal. Many of the name brands on the shelf are not true synthetic. They are derived from conventional oil ? (oil from the ground) and have been purified and have had additives added back into them so they can legally be called synthetic. These additives do not protect the vehicle once they are used up. A true synthetic is man made and uses almost no convention oil in it whatsoever.

Synthetic oil as a whole will not break down and leave your vehicle unprotected. Synthetics also improve fuel economy and eliminate costly part failures. They reduce our dependency on foreign oil and result in less byproduct being put in landfills.

Most conventional oils for engines will not last beyond 3,000 miles. Most synthetic oils on the market do not protect the engine beyond 5,000 miles.

You should also take into consideration how good is the oil filter being used, can it continue filtering? How good is the air filter that keeps dirt out of the engine and how well is the rest of the vehicle maintained?

There are oil changes using specific synthetic oils that will allow you to go 25,000 miles at a cost that is less expensive than most people spend on oil changes combined in one year using conventional oils. You can also find drive train fluids that are approved for 250,000 miles, which exceeds the manufacturer recommendations and can actually save you money in the long run.

Here are some basic rules on average for changing your engine oil:

? Change every 3,000 miles when using a good conventional oil

? Change every 5,000 miles when using most synthetic oils

? Change every 25,000 miles when using an Amsoil synthetic (www.amsoil.com)

Engine coolant should be flushed every 3 to 5 years to eliminate major part and gasket failures. Small particles will break off into the cooling system thus turning the coolant into very fine sandpaper, tearing away at the metal and gaskets within the engine.

Transmission fluid should be flushed every 30,000 ? 60,000 miles to eliminate transmission fluid related failures and extend the life of the transmission. Most transmissions fail due to some sort of fluid failure.

Differential fluids should be changed every 60,000 ? 100,000 miles to reduce and eliminate bearing failure

Fuel injection services should be performed annually to eliminate carbon build-up of the inside of the engine. This build-up lowers fuel economy and engine performance and causes other hard part failures.

Timing belts are the most common cause of engine failure today. Timing belts should be changed every 60,000 ? 100,000 miles. There are more cars seen in service at the 80,000 ? 125,000 mile mark that have not had the timing belt replaced. The broken belts result in major engine damage thus ending the life of the vehicle due to expenses involved in repairing or replacing the engine. Check your owner manual, local dealer or trustworthy repair shot to see if your vehicle has a timing belt and when it should be changed.

When it comes to your vehicle maintenance, it is always best to error on the safe side ? your vehicle is usually the second most expensive item you own.

People who regularly maintain their vehicle never have major breakdowns or costly repairs and their vehicle will last 200,000 ? 500,000 miles! Approximately $500 per year spent on maintaining your vehicle for five years is $2,500 ? a new engine or transmission can cost up to three times that amount!

Article submitted by Sam Postema of Professional Fleet Services, Lansing, Mich.

www.professionalfleet.com

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Engine Fluids And Vehicle Maintenance. What You Need To Know

What’s a good reference book for automotive repair, maintenance, and tuning. I’m trying to learn all I can about cars and need a good place to start. I’m hoping to get to the point where I can do mods and performance tuning one day (not ****** rice cans, I mean American V8 classics and modern muscle cars).

An automobile is