 Automobiles
Starting and Charging System
Your car's starting and charging system is essentially
the life source of your engine. It supplies the energy to start
the engine and maintain all the electrical elements of the car
- from the headlights to the stereo. You need to be aware of telltale
signs that may spell trouble.
- Does the car start slowly or have trouble
cranking when you turn the key?
- Do you experience trouble starting the engine
in cold weather?
- Do your headlights dim when the car is idling?
These symptoms may mean there is trouble with
the battery or another area of the system.
Engine Service
One of the most important things you can do
to keep your car maintained is take it in for scheduled engine
service. This is generally referred to as tune-ups. Different
service centers define tune-ups differently. So make sure you
find out what your mechanic provides as part of a "tune-up."
As a rule, such service will include:
- spark plug replacement
- a precise series of tests and adjustments
to regain maximum engine performance.
In addition, have your mechanic inspect your
car's spark plug wires, distributor and fuel injector during your
engine service visit. A tune-up typically does not include an
oil change, chassis lubrication, inspection of or work on your
brakes, transmission or suspension system, or tire rotation, alignment
or balancing. You have to ask for those.
You car's owner's manual includes a detailed
service schedule that names exactly what needs to be done and
when. Follow it. And when you call around for tune-ups, make sure
you ask what you're getting for your money and that these are
the services your car really needs.
Fluids
Fluids are essential to keeping your car running!
Whether you do it yourself or take it to a service center, the
fluids in your car must be in good condition -- Not Too Hot, Not
Too Cold.
Whichever name it goes by, coolant and antifreeze
are the same fluid. The cooling system of most cars requires a
mixture of water and antifreeze, although some owner's manuals
specify 100 percent antifreeze. Follow your owner's manual. Along
with carrying heat away from the engine, coolant also contains
anti-corrosives that protect the radiator and other metal engine
parts from the rusting effect of liquid. Over time, these anti-corrosives
break down, and the antifreeze can actually begin eating away
at the inside of your radiator. The mixture should be changed
about once a year and the system flushed to remove any deposits
that may have built up.
 Brake
fluid: Give Yourself a Brake
To stop a two-ton car, it takes a lot more pressure
on the pedal than you would physically be able to exert. Brake
fluid multiplies the pressure from the pedal into enough pressure
to stop the car. Having enough of this vital fluid is obviously
important. Brake fluid breaks down with exposure to air and moisture.
Check your car's owner's manual for its brake fluid maintenance
schedule. Although new fluid is typically introduced during brake
work, your car may require additional servicing of this liquid.
Steering
fluid: The Right Turn
The power steering system on your car helps
you to maneuver your multi-thousand-pound vehicle as easily as
steering a bicycle. Like brake fluid, power steering fluid is
a multiplier, translating your exertion on the wheel through the
power steering system into much more resultant force. Low fluid
can mean the loss of power steering. You will still be able to
steer, but you'll really have to crank on the wheel to get the
car to turn.
Washer
fluid: A Clear View
So easy to overlook until you can't see through
the windshield, washer fluid is an important safety component
of any car. Make sure you fill you reservoir whenever it is low.
Always use commercial windshield washer solvent. Never use ammonia-based
cleaning products. These can damage your car's finish.
Oil:
You've Struck Oil
Engine oil lubricates and cools your engine.
Just like rubbing two sticks together creates enough friction
to cause a flame, metal-to-metal friction inside your engine causes
premature wear and excessive heat. Oil puts a coat of protection
over engine parts.
Oils come in a variety of weights, or consistencies.
Those numbers on the front of the bottles or cans 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
(5W-30 versus 10W-40). Use the weight of oil that is specified
in your owner's manual. Never use an oil that has numbers lower
than those required by the manufacturer. You could underprotect
your engine, and you may void you car's warranty. Multi-weight
oils have two numbers separated by a "W." Such oils
exhibit different thickness characteristics through a range of
temperatures. Think of honey. When it's on the shelf, it's pretty
runny. Pop it in the refrigerator, and it becomes very thick.
Honey is multi-weight.
As a rule of thumb, oil should be changed every
3,000 miles or three months, whichever comes first, but check
your car's owner's manual for recommendations. Always change the
oil filter when you change the oil. The dirt and old oil trapped
in the old filter will quickly contaminate the new oil.
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