| Perform Your Own Automobile Maintenance by: David | | | | Maintenance Change the oil in your engine every 3000 |
| Maillie Today's cars can typically be expected to pass | | | | miles. The filter should be changed at the same time. |
| the 200,000 mile mark with consistent automobile | | | | Newer synthetic oils are said to last longer without |
| maintenance. With the price of automobiles, you will | | | | breaking down. When you change the oil, check the |
| want to protect that investment by performing regular | | | | fluids, the air filter, tires, hoses and belts. At this time |
| maintenance. If you can do much of the work yourself, | | | | check the battery cables and terminals for corrosion. |
| you will save a lot of money in labor. Invest in a good | | | | This can be removed with a wire brush or sandpaper. |
| set of tools and choose quality parts when performing | | | | 5000-10,000 Miles: Have your tires rotated and |
| your own automobile maintenance. If you have some | | | | balanced every five to ten thousand miles. This helps |
| skill, but want to learn more look for courses in general | | | | the tires wear evenly and extends the life. The best |
| repairs and maintenance. These can often be found at | | | | tires should be put in the front of the car. Check the |
| your local community center, Community College or an | | | | tire pressure regularly and check the tread for signs of |
| automotive technical school in your area. Consider | | | | uneven wear or damage. 15,000 Miles: Change the air |
| investing in a good repair manual for your car, such as | | | | filter every 15,000 miles. A clean air filter improves the |
| a Chilton's manual. The internet is a good place to look | | | | fuel economy of your car. A dirty air filter can cause |
| for articles and information. There are many sites | | | | the engine to run rough and stall. At this time you |
| devoted to auto repair and maintenance. You will want | | | | should also check the pads and shoes on your brake |
| to keep track of all maintenance performed on your | | | | system. Check the brake fluid and top it of, as needed. |
| car. You can do this in a log, a notebook or on your | | | | The fluid should be clear. If you notice noise when the |
| home computer. There is software available to help | | | | brakes are applied or the steering wheel shakes or |
| you keep track of maintenance. These programs | | | | vibrates, this can be an indication that the brakes need |
| track repairs, maintenance, replacement parts used on | | | | replacing. In this case, don't wait check the brakes and |
| the vehicle and fuel consumption. You can use the | | | | replace as needed. 30,000 Miles: Check the fluid level |
| same software for multiple vehicles. Most software | | | | on your transmission. The owner's manual will have |
| allows you to create a service schedule and will | | | | information about the kind of fluid that should be used |
| remind you when it's time to perform maintenance | | | | in your car. The manual should have directions on how |
| tasks on each vehicle in your household. The software | | | | to drain and replace the fluid. The pan gasket should |
| contains a wide variety of tips for car care. In addition, | | | | be changed when the fluid is drained. Also at this time, |
| many have reference and diagnostic tools to help you | | | | give the car a tune up. Replace all spark plugs and |
| diagnose various problems with your cars. Many | | | | wires. 50,000 Miles: Change the coolant at 50,000 miles. |
| companies offer a free trial that can be downloaded | | | | See the owner's manual for directions on how to |
| on the internet. This allows you to try out the program | | | | perform this task. Get More Smart Tips About |
| before investing your money. Your owner's manual will | | | | Automotive and Motorcycle Maintenance And Save |
| give you some basic information about when certain | | | | Your Time And Money At: Your Friend List M. List |
| maintenance tasks should be done. Most tasks will be | | | | More articles from this pro: M. |
| listed according to the mileage on the car. 3000 Mile | | | | |