Vehicle Maintenance: Get Ready for Winter Articles | Automotive

By: Yvonne Perry

Cold weather is coming and in some northern states is already here. That means it’s time to winterize your car.

Vehicle maintenance is something we don’t think about unless there’s a problem, but regular maintenance and routine inspection can prevent unnecessary breakdowns and expenses. Although there are some maintenance items that must be done by a professional, there are some simple things you can either check at home or schedule to have done routinely.

Fluids
Windshield washer fluid is held in a reservoir under the hood that is usually very easy to get to. If you live in a mild climate you may fill the reservoir with water and a little mild dishwashing detergent. However, if you live in a cold climate, water may freeze and burst the container, so be sure to use a windshield washer solvent instead. The same goes for your radiator, use a quality antifreeze mixed with water and use an antifreeze tester to make sure the mixture will hold to the lowest temperature possible for your area.

Keeping your oil and oil filter changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles can add years of life to your car. Dirty oil cuts down on gas mileage and causes unnecessary friction on engine parts. Make sure you change the oil filter every time you change the oil. Check the oil level between changes especially on cars with high mileage. If you let the oil get low you could blow your engine and have to pay serious money for a rebuild. Some people prefer to change their oil at home, but since some people do not have an appropriate (safe, flat surface) place or tools to do an oil change, it’s easier to take it to one of those places that do it while you wait. It only takes about 15 minutes and costs about $20 to $25 so grab a sandwich and a good book then have your oil changed during your lunch hour.

Brake Fluid weakens with exposure to air and moisture and needs to be replaced periodically. Unless you know what you are doing, I recommend you take it to a mechanic and have your brake fluid changed when have new brake pads installed about every 40,000 miles. It’s a good idea to have the transmission fluid checked when you change brake pads.

Tires
Tire pressure should be checked once a month. Be sure to check the tires when the car hasn’t been driven for at least three hours. Look in your owner’s manual or on the inside of the door jam for the manufacturers recommended air pressure. You will need an air pressure gauge which is available for a few dollars at any auto supply store.. Take the valve cap off the tire and place the end of the tire gauge over the valve. Press the gauge straight and firmly until the scale in the center of the gauge pops out. If the scale shows less pressure than your manufacturer recommends, you should take your vehicle to a service (gas) station where there is an air machine. You will again remove the cap from the valve and use the air hose to fill the tire a few puffs at the time and recheck between puffs to make sure you have reached the desired pressure without overfilling.

To check the tread on your tires you will need a penny. Stand Abe Lincoln on his head between each row of tread of your tire. If any of Abe’s head is hidden, you have sufficient tread. You will need to check all the way around the tire not just in one position. Conduct this test on all your tires even the spare in your trunk. The most common cause for irregular wear patterns on a tire is due to one of three things:

1. Not having the correct amount of air in your tire
2. Not having the tires rotated and balanced.
3. The front end of your car is out of alignment.

Tires should be rotated every 5,000 miles or sooner if you car’s manufacturer recommends it. The alignment can be checked at the same time.

Vehicle maintenance is really not that hard once you understand the basics and it doesn’t take that much time to do a few simple tests.