09/15/2017
What can you do to keep your car on the road?
If only the things we see on TV were actually true. If that were the case, then keeping your vehicle running great and looking good would be a painless, easy task. Every day the magic box tells us that if we pour some miracle liquid into the crankcase or spray some magic ionized water on the interior, that it will make the life of our vehicle last forever. Alas, this is far from the truth.
What really keeps our vehicles running into that high, six-figure mileage range is regular, proper care and scheduled maintenance.
Regularly scheduled maintenance and lubrication using the manufacturers recommend type of oils, grease, and liquids is what will do the trick. In addition, replacing regular wear items such as the timing belt at manufacturer recommended mileage is a great path to follow on the road to a long vehicle life. Taking good care of your vehicle in these ways can be the difference between becoming that proud vehicle owner of a reliable long-lasting machine or waving a tearful goodbye at that broken down jalopy.
Below are the top 10 tips to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape.
Tip 1
Check and change the oil. No single step will help an engine last more than regular oil and filter changes will. Conversely, nothing will destroy an engine faster than neglecting oil-level checks or fresh-oil changes.
Tip 2
Flush the cooling system and change coolant when recommended. A 50/50 mix of coolant and distilled water will keep the cooling system in good shape and prevent corrosion and deposits from building up inside the cooling system.
Tip 3
Change out transmission and differential oils. While not requiring frequent service, these fluids must be changed according to service intervals. Always use transmission fluid or gear oil of the recommended type and viscosity.
Tip 4
Keep it clean. While washing the outside of the vehicle is obvious, most everything the vehicle ran over can also get stuck to the underside. Hosing off winter salt and road grime is a good idea.
Tip 5
Everything with moving parts needs grease to survive. Ask you service technician when you take your vehicle in for maintenance to add this to the list as well.
Tip 6
Nothing keeps paint looking good and protected like a coat of quality wax. Apply wax at least every six months.
Tip 7
Driveline components such as u-joints also require regular lubrication. The driveline may have to be removed to access the zerk grease fitting.
Tip 8
Protect the interior plastic by parking the vehicle in the shade, using a window deflector screen, and applying a UV protectant to prevent the plastic and vinyl from drying out.
Tip 9
Inspect, clean, and repack wheel bearings with wheel bearing grease according to service intervals. Wheel bearings and grease are inexpensive compared to spindle and hub replacement, or liberated wheels rolling down the road ahead of you.
Tip 10
Brake fluid is hygroscopic. This means it is adept at attracting moisture. Moisture causes components to corrode and fail. Replace fluid and bleed system once a year. Brake fluid is cheap. Calipers, hoses, and sensors are expensive.
If you use these tips to your advantage and keep up with your scheduled maintenance you will become that person who everyone says "I cannot believe you are still driving that"!
Enjoy your vehicles long life and check back next week for more tips and information from the automotive world.
