8 Ways to Ensure you Car Stays Young Even After 150000 Miles

Automobiles were always built to last and that is the reason why we see antiques manufactures centuries ago still running and not just in museums. If you take good care of your car it can stay young well past 150000 miles and this is not true only for Japanese cars.

Be a parent to your car and nurture it well:

1. Be tuned in to the car and learn to recognize coughs, sputters, and knocks. This wi Read more »

Car Maintenance Tips

Preventative maintenance is extremely important for your vehicle. Adhering to the car maintenance schedule will prolong the life of your vehicle, as well as lessen the chances of an unexpected breakdown during a time of need.

These basic car maintenance tips will help guide you when it comes to preventative maintenance so you can get the most out of your car and prevent Read more »

General Vehicle Maintenance

Regular vehicle maintenance or preventative maintenance, if you will, can go a long way in making sure your vehicle runs at optimal condition. For example, no one truly enjoys the trips to a mechanic because our brake pads are worn down to the rotors or drums and we have to spend more time and dollars to repair the brake system. What little time it takes to make sure we do the “regular” things to our vehicle, makes the time well spent. The pay me now or pay me later cliché, in this case, is never more true. The following tips will aid you in keeping your vehicle ready to take you wherever you have to go.

Enough can’t be said about regular oil changes and oil filter replacement. Personally, I have oil changes every 2,000 miles. The recommended schedule is every 3, 000 miles. Because of my prompt attention to regular oil and filter changes, I have a 1978 Buick LeSabre with 195,000 miles on it and in 2006 it still runs like a dream. It should go without saying but a lubing of the chassis or “lube job” some call it, should be performed at the same time you have the oil changed.

The air filter, when dirty, is a common problem when you notice your car has less power and is using more fuel. A simple check of the filter will give you an idea of how dirty it is. Mechanics will almost always agree that this simple step can go a long way in improving your vehicle’s performance. Air filters are instrumental in decreasing the amount of dirt, dust and other damaging contaminants going into the engine. Simply put, your vehicle runs less efficiently when the filter is clogged with dirt and grime. Filters should be replaced every 3,000 miles. Also, have the air filter changed when you have an oil change performed on the vehicle to save time or an extra trip to the mechanic.

And while we’re talking about filters, the fuel filter is probably the most overlooked or forgotten item for regular checkups. Auto experts don’t understand why this happens but it does. Remember the Buick I just mentioned? I have had the fuel pumps and fuel filters checked regularly on that vehicle. I can honestly say I get approximately two more miles to the gallon when I calculate mpg/number of gallons of fuel used after I have replaced a fuel filter. Whenever you happen to notice or think to yourself, “I sure am using more gas lately”, check the fuel filter.

Regular replacement of the brake pads is also very important. Many expert mechanics will agree that all parts to the brake system are the most important safety features on an automobile. You must be able to stop your vehicle quickly and safely. All brake pads will wear out eventually. If you start hearing squealing like sounds or the feel of the pedal upon braking is “mushy”, you need to consider that the brake pads are beginning to become worn out. The responsibility of the brake pads is to provide friction with the pad to make braking or stopping possible. Brake pads can be easily diagnosed for wear and tear with regular examinations.

operating in a dance with the distributor and ignition coils. Many things can indicate problems and spark plug wire malfunction. There may be corrosion at the wires or connectors. Resistance can increase as the wires get older. The material encasing the wires may be shredding or wearing out.

The first sign of trouble generally comes when you start noticing a missing or stuttering type action when the vehicle is operating. There’s a significant tugging like symptom that feels to you that your vehicle can’t get the energy to move. Always keep your spark plug wires clean. Always troubleshoot for wires that look worn out or are not properly applied to the spark plugs. Replacing your spark plug wires will mean efficient starting and less ignition type problems that can follow because of worn spark plug wires.

Wash Me! Well maybe this one isn’t actually vehicle “maintenance” per se, but doesn’t a clean vehicle make you feel better? Again, have you ever noticed the vehicle seems to run smoother when she’s clean? Having the engine steam cleaned on a regular maintenance plan can also go a long way in extending the life of your engine. Engine cleaning will keep the corrosion and grime from building up on your spark plug wires too. It will help when you are looking over your engine for leaks, unplugged or loose wiring and keep the corrosion off your vehicle’s battery.

While these aren’t the only “regular maintenance” tips available, you can always research your vehicle’s handbook for other ideas that can help extend its life and keep it running in optimal condition.

Car Care Tips – How to Keep Your Car in Immaculate Condition

There are several things you must do to keep your car in immaculate condition and retain its value.  Apart from regular mechanical servicing and maintenance, your car must also be groomed regularly to keep it looking like new.  This means more than simply putting it through the carwash each week.  Although it takes a bit longer, you’ll find that hand grooming your car achieves a far better result.  There’s no need to spend a lot of money on car care products, however you will need to buy a few.  These are some tips I use every time I clean my car.

Exterior

Rinse your car down to get rid of excess dirt, and then wash it with a sponge and soapy water.  Once you’ve washed the whole car, rinse it off and then dry it with a soft cloth.  If you don’t dry your car afterwards, water droplets gather dust, and when they dry out, you’re left with many spots all over the body of the car.  This is especially noticeable with dark colored cars.

Every month or so you should use a bug and tar removal product on the body of your car.  There are many of these types of products available at most car care stores.  A great product to go for is one which removes bugs, tar and other spots, while polishing the car’s surface at the same time.

Polishing and waxing your car regularly maintains the “shiny look” and also protects the paint from being damaged by the sun.

Always clean the wheels and shine the tires.  If your car has alloy wheels, dirt shows up more easily and makes them look dull.  You can buy wheel cleaning products which remove the build up of brake dust, but if you clean them each time you wash your car, you should only need to use water and a cloth.  When shining the tires, I always use a spray-on tire shine which is quick and easy to use.  This not only keeps them looking like new, but protects them from the sun and makes the whole car look magnificent.

For other external areas, use a surface protecting product which is designed to protect rubber, vinyl and plastic from the sun’s UV rays.  This can be used on bumpers, rubber seals around doors and windows, and for the interior as well.

Interior

Purchase some car seat covers to protect your seats from getting worn out.  They can easily be taken off and washed once in a while.  I vacuum the seats and carpet every time I clean my car.  Dirt and grit which falls deep into the carpet causes it to wear out quickly, so regular vacuuming is the best way to prevent this.  Buying a set of floor mats will keep the majority of dirt from getting into your carpet.

Clean the inside of your car’s windows with a glass cleaning product and a soft cloth.  I use a normal household glass cleaning spray for this and it seems to do the job.  When cleaning the dashboard and other interior surfaces, be careful you don’t use a product that will damage them.  Some vinyl and plastic surfaces can be ruined simply by using the wrong product when cleaning.  Once cleaned, you can use a surface protecting spray on these areas also.

When you aren’t using your car, park it in the garage.  This not only keeps it out of the weather, but also prevents it from getting dirty.  If you don’t have access to a garage, consider buying a car cover.  Protecting your car from the weather as much as possible will ensure it remains immaculate.

Car Washing 101

Cleaning a car is a piece of cake, right?

It is if you follow the procedures suggested by the Car Care Council. While it’s the most basic procedure in car care, it does require some thought.

Research shows that 52 percent of American car owners wash their cars less than once a month, with 15 percent never washing their cars. An estimated 37 million cars smell because of interior garbage, according to a consumer survey conducted by the International Carwash Association.

To get started, you must have the right supplies for the job:

* finish-safe wheel cleaner;

* a soft brush;

* a 3- to 5-gallon bucket;

* liquid car-washing detergent;

* a hose with pistol-grip nozzle, if possible;

* car-washing mitts or soft all-cotton towels;

* several all-cotton towels or synthetic chamois for drying.

Give the car a good rinsing from top to bottom, including the wheels and inside the fenders. Always clean the tires and wheels before washing the body, and don’t use the same mitt for both. This way you’ll avoid contaminating the vehicle’s paint with debris from the wheels and tires.

Use a good tire cleaner with a stiff brush to improve the appearance of your tires. Next, clean the wheels with a wheel cleaner that removes the brake dust, which often blackens the front wheels.

To wash the body, use a product sold specifically for automobiles; household cleaners can strip the wax from the paint and damage the finish. Starting at the top, wash one section at a time, thoroughly rinsing away the soap before moving on to the next section. Work your way down toward the front, sides and rear of the vehicle.

To rinse, start at the top, and let the water cascade down the surfaces of the vehicle. To avoid water spotting, dry with a chamois or similar product.

Then follow up by waxing, which not only protects the finish but also makes subsequent washing easier. Before proceeding, use a car cleaner to remove contaminants embedded in the paint.

Once the surface is clean, apply the wax, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers.