| We all want our cars to last and no one wants to be | | | | You can usually always find someone to give you a |
| stranded along side the road with a malfunctioning car | | | | "jump" if you have the cables. |
| or worse yet stalled in the midst of freeway traffic. | | | | If you have purchased a new car, the owner's manual |
| You can avoid or minimize these calamities by doing | | | | will advise inspections every so many miles. These are |
| the necessary maintenance in accordance with the | | | | important to keep your warranty in effect. |
| manufacturer's owner's manual. | | | | You should also keep a record of all maintenance |
| Check your oil at least once a month. You should also | | | | performed on your car. This record will help you when |
| plan to change oil and buy a new filter every 3000 | | | | you get ready to sell or trade in your car. Prospective |
| miles. Be sure to use the recommended oil for your | | | | buyers are impressed by cars that have been well |
| engine. You can find this information in the owner's | | | | maintained and this adds to the value of your car. |
| manual. If however, you purchased a pre-owned car | | | | It is also important to keep your car looking good. |
| and there is no owner's manual, check with the dealer. | | | | Appearance is a major factor when reselling or trading |
| If you live in the Snow Belt you may need to use a | | | | in a car. You need to be careful about parking under |
| different grade of oil in the wintertime. And if you are in | | | | trees, particularly if birds are around. Bird droppings can |
| an extremely hot climate, you may also need to | | | | cause paint damage so if a bird does choose your car |
| change the grade of your oil. Again, the owner's | | | | for a deposit, clean it off immediately. |
| manual will specify the proper grades to use. | | | | You need to wash your car often. Many gas stations |
| When you do your monthly oil check, you also need to | | | | offer free car washes with a fill-up so this isn't difficult |
| check the coolant and the transmission fluid. | | | | to do. It just takes some extra time. |
| It is important to maintain these fluids at their proper | | | | It is recommended that you wax your car a couple of |
| levels to protect your engine and transmission. And, | | | | times a year. This protects the paint from corrosion |
| just as with oil, you need to purchase the type fluid | | | | and also keeps your car looking shiny. |
| recommended by the manufacturer. | | | | If you notice odd noises or smells, you may have a |
| Don't wait until your gas tank is practically empty | | | | problem so you need to have a mechanic check the |
| before refueling. There are sediments at the bottom of | | | | car. Failure to follow up on these can result in |
| your gas tank. If you let the gas levels become low, | | | | breakdowns, accidents and definitely more expensive |
| these sediments will mix in with the gasoline. Then your | | | | repairs at a later date. Even if your car appears to be |
| spark plugs and some engine parts may become | | | | running okay, you should have a professional mechanic |
| clogged. This can entail expensive repairs later on. | | | | check it out once a year. |
| Check your battery cables and terminals to ensure | | | | A little time and money spent on periodic maintenance |
| you have a good electrical connection. It is also a good | | | | can help you avoid expensive repairs at a later date. |
| idea to always have a set of jumper cables with you. | | | | |