12. Car Care Tips For Your Vehicle
Car care? We know that for most young drivers, the idea of car care is simple; wash the car so it looks good and get $20 for gas from mom or dad. However, if you truly want to extend the life of your vehicle and keep it running smoothly, a little more knowledge and responsibility is required.
Don’t worry though; getting a basic understanding of car care is really pretty easy and sometimes it’s only a matter of common sense. Just like regularly brushing your teeth will help ensure that your teeth and gums stay healthy, simple routine maintenance will keep your car healthy too.
As a driver, here at Driver’s Edge we constantly tell you to always be aware and to anticipate what could happen. The same is true for the maintenance of your vehicle; be aware and anticipate its needs. Don’t just react to a problem that you could have prevented. By then it’s often too late. Things like running out of gas, getting a flat tire, the engine breaking down because you never checked the oil, or it’s raining and your wipers don’t work, all can be avoided. And remember, not only can a failure to perform basic maintenance end up being financially costly, it can also, sometimes, be deadly.
Anticipate what could happen; don’t react to what has already happened.
Car care today can help you avoid a costly repair down the road.
Your first step to being more aware of your vehicle is to read the owner’s manual. I know, I know… boring is what most of you say, but along with providing a solid foundation for understanding your vehicle, the owner’s manual will also provide important scheduled maintenance information, the proper tire pressure recommended for your vehicle, and other essential information.
What are the two key elements of basic car care?
Fluids and Tires.
Key Elements of Basic Car Care: Fluids and Tires
Fluids
Typically, there are six fluids to maintain under the hood of today’s passenger vehicles: washer fluid, brake fluid, oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid and steering fluid. The term that the folks at Bridgestone/Firestone came up with to help you remember all the fluids is “WASHBOATS”:
WASH(er) fluid;
Brake fluid;
Oil;
Antifreeze;
Transmission fluid;
Steering fluid.
Washer Fluid
One of the most overlooked fluids in every car is washer fluid. Washer fluid is an important safety component of every vehicle. You don’t have to be a brainiac to realize that being able to see out of your windshield is pretty important.
Fill your washer fluid reservoir whenever it is low with a windshield washer solvent.
Brake Fluid
Everyone will probably agree that being able to stop your car is critical. Well, if you want your car to continue to stop properly, your brake fluid should be checked routinely.
Brake fluid transfers the pressure that your foot places on the brake pedal to the brake components at each wheel to stop the car. So, obviously, having enough of this vital fluid is important. Check the fluid level regularly. Brake fluid may weaken with exposure to air and moisture. Remember to check your owner’s manual for the proper scheduled maintenance for your brake fluid.
Oil
Oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle. Engine oil lubricates, cools, and cleans your engine. Oil puts a coat of protection over engine parts to protect against friction and wear.
Engine oil comes in a variety of weights, or “viscosities”. The numbers on the front of a bottle of oil represent the thickness of the oil, ranging from a baby oil consistency to the heaviness of honey. The lower the numbers, the thinner the oil (10W-30 versus 10W-40). Use the weight of oil that is specified in your owner’s manual (if you use anything else, you may be underprotecting your engine and may void your car’s warranty).
Multi-weight oils like 10W-30 have two numbers separated by a “W”. Such oils exhibit different thickness characteristics through a range of temperatures, kind of like syrup or honey; the colder it is, the thicker it is. Warm it up, and it’s easier to pour.
Oil should be changed according to your car’s owner’s manual
Antifreeze / Coolant
Antifreeze, or coolant as it is also called, is essential to preventing your car from overheating. The cooling system in most cars requires a 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze.
Along with carrying heat away from the engine, coolant also contains anti-corrosives that protect the radiator from the rusting effects of the liquid. Over time, these anti-corrosives can break down. The mixture (of antifreeze and water) should be changed at the service interval specified in the owner’s manual, and the entire system should be flushed to remove any deposits that may have built up.
Transmission Fluid
In a car with an automatic transmission, this fluid is called (remarkably enough) “automatic transmission fluid” (ATF). In a vehicle with a manual transmission, it’s referred to as “gear oil”. Regardless of the type of transmission you have in your car, the purpose of the transmission fluid is the same– assist the transmission in shifting from one gear to the next. Sluggish shifting in an automatic or a heavy stick shift can indicate low fluid levels. If these symptoms show up, have this fluid level checked immediately. Many vehicle manufacturers specify a fluid change interval based on time or mileage
Power Steering Fluid
Power steering makes steering your vehicle as easy as steering a bicycle. Power steering fluid is a multiplier, translating your exertion on the wheel through the power steering system into much more resultant force. Have you ever tried to turn the steering wheel of a vehicle that didn’t have the engine running? Without power steering, it becomes pretty difficult to turn the wheel.
Low power steering fluid could mean the loss of power steering— something you don’t want to have happen. You can still steer, but you’ll really have to turn the wheel hard to get the car to turn.
Tires
What’s the only thing connecting you and your vehicle to the pavement? Your tires. It almost goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: proper tire maintenance is critical. Proper tire maintenance can save you money, headaches, and possibly even your life
The number one cause for tire failure is improper tire pressure
Tire Pressure
How do you know if a tire is properly inflated? Can’t you just look at it? Well, no, you can’t. Simple visual checks will not tell the whole story.
The proper inflation pressure for your vehicle is printed on a label usually placed on the doorjamb of your vehicle. You may also find the proper inflation specs for your vehicle in your owner’s manual.
Tire pressures need to be checked regularly. Tires can lose one pound per square inch of pressure every month, and for every 10 degrees of temperature change outside, a tire can gain or lose an additional pound of pressure.
When a tire is under-inflated, it builds up heat. The faster the vehicle is driven, the more heat is created.
Tire pressure should always be checked when the tires are cold! Cold means driven less than one mile or sitting still for 3 hours.
And if you’re wondering why you should rotate your tires, the purpose is to minimize irregular or uneven wear caused by the continuous use of a tire as it remains in the same position, rotating the same way, over an extended period of time. Your tires should be rotated every 5,000 miles, or at the recommended mileage in your owner’s manual. Remember to check your owner’s manual for proper tire pressure.
Tread Depth
As a tire wears, its ability to grip the road decreases. If your tires are neglected, the tread can completely wear away. If you play basketball, you should really be able to relate to this. I don’t know anyone who would play a game of basketball if their shoes didn’t grip the court. If anything, you’ll spend a few hundred dollars to get the latest and greatest shoes to help you have an advantage over the other players. So when your safety is a concern, why wouldn’t you look at your vehicle’s tires the same way?
Having little or no tread on your tires is dangerous, and it can also be illegal.
Remember to check the wear on your tires. Common sense should tell you if you have a problem. Look for obvious signs of wear. Once again, your tires are the only things protecting you from the pavement, so you need to take care of them!
An easy way to check the tread depth of your tires is to take a penny and place it headfirst (Abe Lincoln’s head, that is) into the tire tread. If the tire tread covers any part of his head, you’re within the legal amount of tread. However, if you can see the top if his head, then you’re ready for a new tire.
Balancing
Having a rough ride? It may be as simple as finding some balance…balancing your tires, that is. We’ve all seen a washing machine go crazy every once in a while. You know when clothes clump up in one spot in the washing machine, and the washer rocks wildly from the uneven weight distribution? The same thing happens to a tire if it’s not properly balanced. As the vehicle moves on an unbalanced tire, the tire begins to shake, causing an uncomfortable ride and possible damage to your tires and to your suspension.
If you think your tires need balancing, this is an easy problem to fix by simply having your local tire dealer balance them for you.
Alignment
Does your car pull to one side or the other? Do you have very uneven tire wear? Your tires may be out of alignment. Having your tires aligned is a pretty simple process, and it will allow your vehicle to be in proper contact with the road. Your car will roll and steer easily and predictably. Left unchecked, a simple alignment problem can escalate into a major repair bill. So remember to get your alignment checked every 12,000 miles or at least once a year.
Some Additional Car Care Basics
Scheduled Maintenance
Scheduled maintenance for your vehicle is similar to having an annual physical at the doctor or getting your teeth cleaned every 6 months. It’s your vehicle manufacturer’s prescription for providing proper care and service for your vehicle. Your owner’s manual includes a detailed service schedule that tells you exactly what needs to be done and when. Follow it!
Battery Life
Does your car start slowly or have trouble turning over when you turn the key? This could be a telltale sign that there may be a problem with your battery. Bring it in; get it checked.
Spots On The Driveway
Leaks are pretty obvious signs that there could be a more serious problem. Does your car leave little puddles of fluid underneath it every time you park? You may be able to determine the origin of the problem just by looking at the color.
- Coolant (Typically bright green)
- Oil (Brown)
- Power Steering Fluid (Typically red)
- Brake Fluid (Tan, almost clear)
- Gasoline (Clear with a very distinct odor)
If it looks like it’s just plain water, touch it. If it’s icy cold, odds are it’s just condensation from your air conditioning system and is nothing to worry about. But if it’s one of the colors above, it’s probably time to have the problem looked at.
A Little Common Sense
Every now and then, you probably think we’re pointing out the obvious. Well, here we go again. Steam or smoke coming from your engine or exhaust should alert you to an obvious problem.
- Pay attention to your dashboard warning lights. If something lights up, check it out.
- Smell something odd or unusual? No, we’re not talking about your buddies riding in the back seats. You may have a leak somewhere. Get it checked! Do you smell something burning? You may have a problem under the hood. Don’t just ignore it and hope it goes away. Get it checked out.
- Is your car making any strange noises? Simply turning the radio up will not make them magically go away. A strange noise from your vehicle may be a cry for help. For example, a ticking in the engine can be a sign that your vehicle is very low on oil. Don’t ignore the cries. Take your vehicle in for servicing.
- Wiper blades. Don’t wait until it’s raining to see if your wiper blades work. Check them BEFORE it rains. Visibility is essential to safe driving. Make sure you’re able to see.
- Communication. If you take your vehicle in to be serviced, try to help the technicians pinpoint any problems that you might be having. Does your car make a noise? When does it make a noise? Where is the noise coming from? What does it sound like? Does it get better or worse as you drive? Having the answers to very simple questions can help the service technician find your problem.