Car Maintenance Tips

Maintain your car properly. Aren’t you maintaining your car well by adhering to service intervals, giving it regular washes and keeping it dust-free? There’s quite a bit more you can do to keep your car as good as new. We’ve put down a few tips for you: 

• Regular oil changes are the most important aspect of keeping your engine in good shape.
• Wash your car regularly, wax it on your weekly off to keep the car shining and free from corrosion.
• Take care of any minor niggles as soon as you can, so that they don’t balloon into serious problems and maybe the need for expensive repairs.
• Use only original parts. Spurious spares may be cheaper, but how much is your peace of mind worth?

How to check the engine oil?
Park your car on level ground and turn the ignition off. Wait a while so that the engine oil drains into the oil pan. Remove the engine oil dipstick. If you don't know where the dipstick is, go through your owner's manual - it will show you where to find it. The dipstick usually has a bright handle saying "engine oil". Wipe it with a clean rag or tissue. Then put it back all the way down into its place.
Now, pull the dipstick again and check the oil level. It should be at the "FULL" mark. It isn’t a big problem if it's a bit lower than the ‘Full’ mark, but top it up anyway. If the oil is black and opaque, it's definitely time to change it. If it's slightly brown, it'll do. If it's dark-brown, but still transparent, it's admissible but it will need to be changed soon; the sooner the better.
If the oil is white (the colour of coffee with milk,) it means that the engine coolant is mixing with the engine oil. This indicates an internal engine problem, for example, a blown head gasket - have your car checked at authorized service center.
How to top up the engine oil ?
It is better to add the same type and brand of engine oil that is already being used. Add a little at a time, wait a while to let the oil drain and then check the oil level again with the dipstick. If it still isn’t full, add some more - but don't go over the mark. Don't forget to put the dipstick back and close the oil filler cap when you are finished topping the oil up.

How to check automatic transmission fluid?
Park your car on level ground and start the engine. Set transmission lever to the "P" (Park) position, and let the engine idle (on some cars this procedure may be different, please check the owners' manual for details). Pull the transmission dipstick. Check your owner’s manual to find where transmission dipstick is placed in your car if you don’t already know where it is. Wipe it with a lint-free clean rag or tissue. Then insert it back carefully all the way down into its place.
Pull again and check the fluid level. If the engine is cold, it should be above the "COLD" mark. If the engine is hot, the level should be at the upper end of the "HOT" mark. If it's just a little bit lower you don’t need to worry. If you do, go ahead and top it up. Check the fluid condition also: if it's black and has a burnt smell, your transmission isn’t going to last. Normally it should be clean and transparent, as in the image. New transmission fluid is red in colour. Over time it turns brownish. If it is brown, check your owner's manual, it may be time to change it. Some manufacturers require transmission fluid changed at 60,000km, others specify that you never have to change it - check your car’s manual for information pertaining to your car.
How to top up the transmission fluid?
It's very important to use only the transmission fluid specified in your owner’s manual. For example, some Chrysler transmissions need a specific fluid and regular fluid like Dexron II may even destroy the transmission. Add a small amount of the fluid through the dipstick pipe and do not overfill it. Wait for a few minutes - let the fluid flow down. Start the engine. Check the level again.
Engine coolant
Low coolant level will cause the engine to overheat, which may cause serious damage to the engine.
How to check the engine coolant level?
Maintain the coolant level should be between the "LOW" and "FULL" marks in the coolant overflow tank. If it is lower, top it up. If there is no coolant in overflow tank or you have to top it up quite often, have your car inspected, there is probably a coolant leak.
Caution: never open the radiator or coolant overflow tank when the engine is hot! The fluid is under pressure when the engine is hot, and might spurt out and burn you. Turn off the engine, and when engine is cool enough (a few minutes after the engine has been turned off,) simply add a coolant into the overflow tank.
Tires
Check tyre pressure at least fortnightly. If you don't have a tyre pressure gauge please invest in one, it is worth every penny. You can find the recommended tire pressures for your car in the owner's manual or on the tire pressure placard. Some cars have it on the inside of the doors as well. The maximum pressure listed on tires is NOT the ideal pressure! Refer to the owner's manual for the ideal pressures.
Rotate tyres at every other oil change - it will ensure that all tyres wear equally. If you feel vibrations at cruising speed, have your wheels balanced. There is a safe limit for tread wear. If the tire is worn below this limit it is a safety hazard. Refer to the result of mechanical inspection. Uneven tire wear indicates alignment problem or problems with your suspension.
Improper alignment causes increased tire and suspension component wear and poor handling. In worst case scenarios, improper alignment may throw your car into a skid, especially on a wet road. If a car pulls to one side, wanders or feels unstable on the road, have the alignment checked. Alignment that has been done properly will make your car's ride a lot more enjoyable.
CV joint boots
Most of the modern vehicles are Front Wheel Drive, and they all have CV joints (Constant Velocity joints) used to transfer the engine’s torque to the front wheels. The CV joint is greased on the inside and sealed by a rubber boot that unfortunately, may break. If the CV joint boot breaks, the grease escapes, dirt and water enters and the whole axle unit may become inoperative in a short while. There is a CV joint located on the internal side of each of the front wheels. You can check CV joint boots visually by looking inside the front wheel arch from the front of the car with the wheel turned as far as it will go in that direction. The boot should be dry. If it is broken you will see grease all over the area. If the boot is broken, it needs to be replaced. If not replaced in time, the whole axle shaft will need to be replaced which will cost you more than replacing just the boot.
A stitch in time…
As soon as you feel there is something wrong with your car, for example, any irregular noise, vibration, shimmer, or you note some leak or a warning light comes on while driving or anything irregular occurs, have your car inspected at a dealer or a garage as soon as you can - it might be unsafe to drive. It is better to check for a small problem before it develops into something serious.
Regular mechanical inspection
For your safety, have your car inspected at least once a year by a mechanic. Not a simple visual inspection by a fast-lube place, but a mechanic that can lift your car and check major components such as brakes, suspension, etc., while having your tires rotated, for example. This is because many components (e.g. ball joints), can not be inspected visually with the car on the ground. 
Treat your car well and it will treat you well – you’ll have a good-looking car that will be a pleasure to drive and when the time comes to move on, will return a good price as well. The little things matter, so pay careful attention to them and you’ll end up with a much better ownership experience.

You have fulfilled your long-cherished dream of buying a car. Now, you can easily reach any and every part of the town easily, sitting on your latest set of four wheels. All said and done, are you aware that the task of owning a car does not end with buying one and using it on a regular basis? You have to take proper care of your vehicle as well. In this context, taking your car for regular service sessions, washing it on a daily basis and protecting it from extreme weather conditions (scorching sun and pounding rain) are the usual steps that almost any car lover takes.

Apart from the common steps, there is a number of other maintenance tips that you need to keep in mind, so as to make sure that your car does not suffer from frequent breakdowns and stays in a good running condition for a long time to come. In fact, following them will ensure that your vehicle delivers optimum performance and does not desert you in the time of need. Talking about the maintenance tips, you need to change the car's oil on a regular basis, to keep it running smoothly. Then, there is a need for you to wax it frequently, to ensure that your vehicle shines beautifully and remains free of corrosion.

Whenever you get your car repaired, do not comprise on the quality of spare parts and go for the original ones. Local spare parts, though commanding a low price, will adversely affect the performance of your vehicle, especially in the long run. Another maintenance tip that you need to follow to the letter is to take care of minor problems almost immediately, before they balloon into something bigger and really serious. At the same time, apart from engine, ensure proper maintenance of, tyres, gears, fuel system and even electrical system. If routinely undertaken, these tips will surely prolong the life of your car and ensure a smooth and effortless drive.
Air conditioner
Air Conditioner is an integral part of any car really taking care of the comfort of the passengers. Proper functioning of air conditioner is definitely a thing of importance for the comfort of the occupants of the car. While driving in hot and humid weather, an efficient air conditioner is must. If the AC is not functioning properly, riding the car would be tough, no matter what other accoutrements in it are.

A properly functioning air conditioner works due to following factors:

Air or moisture Contamination
This is the most common cause of car A/C malfunctioning. The A/C must not be contaminated with air or moisture. If it is, it would not be able to work efficiently. Air reduces the cooling efficiency of the system while moisture can freeze and form ice that causes blockages in several parts of the system. Air and moisture contamination may be the result of unattended leaks in the system, or failing to vacuum purge the system prior to recharging it with refrigerant. Care must be taken to free the A/C for any kind of moisture on regular intervals.

Mechanical Problem
This kind of problem includes metering a compressor clutch that fails to engage, bad pressure switches, valve failures, compressor wear and tear, etc. Pinpointing the problem will require the skills of a competent air conditioner technician. If you guess that your car A/C has developed any kind of these mechanical problems, get it examined by a skilled technician.

Dirt in Condenser
The heat exchanger mounted in front of the radiator is called condenser. It cools the high-pressure refrigerant vapor after it exits the compressor. If leaves, bugs and road debris fill the condenser, airflow through the unit may be blocked to the extent when there would be little or no cooling. Cleaning the condenser would cure the problem. So get your condenser properly cleaned before going on a long journey.

Low Refrigerant
Any air conditioner needs a certain amount of refrigerant to cool properly. If low, it works not so efficiently and does not cool well. So you must make sure that the needed amount of refrigerant is present in the A/C.

Blockages
The orifice tube or metering valve that admits refrigerant into the evaporator could be blocked by rust or debris. If the tube is obstructed, the flow of refrigerant may be restricted or blocked causing a loss of cooling. It could also damage as well in systems that rely on oil circulating with the refrigerant for lubrication. Ensure that these kind of blockages are not in your system

Car brake
Brakes are, of course, the most vital safety component of a car. And it is mandatory for your own security that you keep the brakes of your car in best condition. Break problems do not rise to a serious level suddenly. Most brake problems develop gradually and if the system is detected properly, these can be detected before they become serious. Driver of a car can tell if it has problems with its brakes. If it does have, it must immediately be taken to a technician.

Causes
There could be several causes of breaks malfunctioning.

• If the brakes squeak on pressing then either the brake pads require a change or the brakes need to be cleaned.
• A soft or mushy brake pedal indicates that the brake fluid might be low.
• When the rear brake lining is wearing, the brake pedal goes all the way down.
• Sometimes the brakes pull the car to one side. In this case the brake clearance need to be adjusted or there is insufficient hydraulic pressure in one part of the brake system.
• If the brake fluid level is low the system indicates it by glowing the brake light. You must get the brake fluid filled immediately.

HandBrakes
One must apply the hand breaks when the clutch is pressed or the car is on the neutral. It will not damage the clutch system. While having the general check up of brake system, pay attention for blunt notches of the hand brake. If the brakes are not effective, see if the cable requires a replacement.

Parking Break Operation
People who drive automatic transmission vehicles seldom use parking brake. This could cause parking brake mechanism and cables to seize up. When set, the parking brake prevents vehicle from rolling. The vehicle rolls freely when the brake is released.

Level of Brake Fluid
One of the reasons for low level of fluid in brake fluid container could be leaks. There might also be a leak in the brake system. Whenever the system indicates this, you must immediately get the car examined. Driving a car with low brake fluid level could be dangerous

Car cooling system
Cooling system in a car protects the engine from overheating. An efficient cooling system to keep the engine protected. One must always use good quality coolant for car engine. The coolant level must be checked at least once a fortnight. During summers, it must be checked and preferably at more frequent intervals during summers.

Function
Cooling system removes excess heat from the engine, thus keeping the engine functional at the most efficient temperature. It lets the engine to reach its ideal operation temperature. No matter what the operating conditions are, the coolant keeps the engine running.

Why it is Necessary
A cooling system is mandatory in any internal combustion engine. In its absence, parts of the engine would melt from the heat of the burning petrol.

Parts of Cooling System
The cooling system includes the engine's water jacket, thermostat, water pump, radiator and radiator cap, cooling fan (electric or belt-driven), hoses, heater core and overflow tank.

Pressure Cap
The pressure cap over the radiator must be given specific attention. When the coolant reaches high temperature, it forces its way through a valve in the pressure cap and the overflow is then collected in the coolant reservoir. When the engine becomes cool, the vacuum created in the radiator draws the overflow back. If the pressure cap is malfunction, the coolant evaporates through the pressure cap when it reaches high temperature, instead of flowing into the coolant reservoir. The engine could be harmed due to the reduced level of coolant.

Cooling System Hose
Any cooling system hose that is cracked, and feels hard or spongy when squeezed must be replaced immediately. Fan belt has a vital role in cooling the engine. So make sure that it is working properly.

Head Gasket
If you see large amounts of white smoke emanating from the exhaust, you could have a problem with your head gasket. So you must get seen by a technician
Car engine
When it comes to a car, the most important component is the engine. The engine can well be regarded as the soul of a car. In fact, you might have the most well-maintained and sparkling set of wheels in your neighborhood, but if its engine is not working, it is as good as waste. In order to make sure that your car has a long life, you need to undertake regular maintenance of the engine, say changing the oil, checking the belt, putting in adequate coolant, and so on. We have provided a number of maintenance tips in the following lines, to help you take care of your car engine,

Car Engine Maintenance Tips

• Engine oil is one of the most important things that determines the performance and life of the car engine. The oil level of your car engine must be checked at regular intervals, say once in every two weeks, and even before going on a long trip. This can be done by opening the bonnet and pulling out the dipstick, which is calibrated and indicates the oil level.
• In all the cars, there is an indicator for engine oil level. When the oil level is low and lubrication is not happening properly, the indicator glows as a warning. If this light comes on, immediately check the oil level and if it is low, fill it. Do not drive the vehicle if there is no engine oil. Improper oil pressure engine means that lubrication is not taking place as it should, which could result in serious breakdown of the engine.
• Always make sure that you care engine has the requisite amount of coolant. At the same time, inspect the radiator on a regular basis, for leaks as well as any type of corrosion.
• If you feel that your engine is not heating up properly, and is too cool, it means that the thermostat is not working properly. So, either get it repaired or replaced, at the earliest.
• In the usual cases, engine belts last for somewhere around 4 years. However, if you find any cracks or frays in the timing belt, get it replaced almost immediately.
• In case your car has platinum spark plugs, it is advisable to get them changed after every 65,000 miles. If they are made of some other metal, then the change will be required every 35,000 miles.
• The air filter of a car engine requires a replacement every 15,000 miles. You can also get it changed, if you feel that it has become too dirty. In case of oil filter, the replacement needs to be made after every 3,000 miles.

Car fuel system
One of the basic components of a car comprises of its engine and talking about the car engine, its fuel system needs to properly taken care of. In fact, proper car maintenance is as good as incomplete without adequate maintenance of the fuel system. Taking proper care of the fuel system will ensure that you care does not consume extra fuel, runs smoothly and does not suffer from frequent breakdowns. In this context, the maintenance and troubleshooting tips for the car's fuel system provided below will come handy.

Car Fuel System Maintenance Tips

• Always be particular about the place from where you get your car filled with fuel. Make sure that it is a trusted, quality filling station. This is because adulterated fuel can lead to a host of problems for the engine and result in heavy expenses for you.
• In case you live in an area that experiences tropical and dusty conditions, there are high chances of the fuel lines and filters getting clogged. So, it is advisable for you to get the tanks checked properly, at least once a year.
• You need to replace the fuel filter, air filter, spark plug as well as the timing belt of your car on a regular basis. This will make sure that your car runs efficiently, does not suffer from excess fuel consumption and boasts of a high performance engine.
• Whenever you need a replacement in your fuel system, always go for the original parts. The local (or you can say fake) ones have a low shelf life and might even affect the engine adversely. At the same time, stay away from any add-on items that claim fuel savings.
• If it is possible, switch over to synthetic motor oil. Apart from helping the engine run smoothly, the oil will also make it cooler than before, thus providing your car with a better mileage. It will also help you decrease the frequency of oil changes

Gear system
Gear system forms an important component of a car and thus, requires proper handling and attention on your part. Since they help you maintain the speed of your car; you cannot afford to misuse the gears. While changing the gears, it is very important that clutch should be completely pressed. At the same time, you need to make sure that the clutch is properly adjusted for free pedal movement and smooth gear change. There are some other maintenance tips as well that you need to keep in mind, to ensure a long life of the gear system. We have mentioned a few of the important ones, in the lines below.

Car Gear Maintenance Tips

• Whenever you change the gear, make sure that you are pressing the clutch completely with your foot, simultaneously. Otherwise, you might end up harming the gears.
• As far as possible, avoid changing the gears with too much force. In fact, whenever you change a gear, try to let the gearshift pause for a second, as it crosses the neutral zone.
• Whenever you feel that the gear is not changing smoothly, it might be that the transmission fluid is contaminated or its level is low. So, get the fluid checked by a mechanic.
• Select the right gear for a given condition and speed to avoid overstraining the engine. At the same time, you need check the oil level in the gear box, on a regular basis.
• It is advisable to use grease on the gears, at regular intervals. This will help the gears runs with less friction and also prolong their life, before the next replacement.
• Try to avoid the bad habit of resting the left foot on the clutch pedal, even when the clutch is not in use. You also need to keep away from revving the engine too much while putting the car in the first gear

Car tyre
Though a large number of car owners are unaware of the fact, car tyres have an important bearing on the performance and safety of the car. In fact, when car maintenance is the question in point, ensuring a good condition of the tyres is an issue that occupies a central place. Old and worn out tyre can easily lead to skidding of the vehicle and endanger your life as well as that of your car. In order to help you take proper care of your car tires, we have listed a number of maintenance tips, in the lines below.

Car Tyres Maintenance Tips

• One of the first things that you need to make sure, in context of car tyres, is that there should be uniformity of tread pattern in all the tyres. Never ever make the mistake of mixing radial tyres with other tyres.
• Always ensure that the tyres of your car have prescribed air pressure. Having lower air pressure in the tyres, than what is prescribed, adversely affect driving stability, causes high fuel consumption and even harms the suspensions. On the other hand, excess air pressure results in faster wearing down of tyres, apart from a hard and bumpy ride. Remember that air pressure in tyres should be checked when they are cool, as the air expands when the tyres are hot.
• After you car has run for 5000 km, it is advisable to rotate them diagonally. In other words, the front right tyre should be exchanged with rear left one and front left tyre should be exchanged with rear right one.
• It is necessary to check the wheel alignment of your vehicle on a regular basis. This is because proper wheel alignment prolongs the life of the tyres and enhances the safety of the car as well. So, you need to make sure that the wheels are properly balanced, at all times, preventing the avoidable centrifugal force and wobbling of tyres.
• The tyres of your car need to have positive cambering. In other words, the wheels need to be set further apart at the top than at the bottom. By ensuring doing, you will be able to prevent the unusual wearing of the tyre, at one of the edges.
• Whenever you get a new tyre for your car, make sure to get a new tube as well. At the same time, as far as possible, go for tyres and tubes of the same brand.
• You need to avoid driving at too high speeds and also keep away from heavy braking, both of which lead to early wearing down of the tyres. At the same time, you need to check the tyres, on a frequent basis, for small stones and metal pieces. They might get lodged in the grooves and cause unnecessary wear.
• There is need for balancing the tyre-rim assembly, after you car has run for 5000 km, has undergone too much mounting/demounting or is experiencing unusual vibrations.
• Clean the tyre rim on a regular basis, to keep it free of dirt and rust. There should also be no visible bends therein. Even the rim valve hole should be round and smooth

Car electrical system
Has you car ever got stalled midway due to electrical faults? Such a scenario is quite frustrating, isn't it? However, proper maintenance of the electrical system of your car can go a long way in ensuring that it gives a trouble free performance in each and every drive. The electrical system of a car consists of battery, alternator, starter and fuses. In case you are wondering how to undertake maintenance of all these parts, then the tips given in the following lines are sure to come handy to you.

Car Electrical System Maintenance Tips

• One of the most important aspects of the electrical system is the battery. You need to keep in mind that the car battery needs to be changed after every four years.
• The cables of your car battery need to be so tight that they do not move at all. If they are not so, contact a mechanic. At the same time, take the battery for a load test every month, to make sure that it is charging properly.
• Check the water level in the battery on a regular basis. If, and when, you find the level to be low, add water immediately. However, make sure that you use distilled water only
• Make sure to measure and record the alternator output, both rated and sustained, on a regular basis and bring it to the notice of the mechanic every time you take the car for a service session.
• Pay proper attention to the alternator, starter and fuses of the car electrical system. They need to undergo regular check as well as servicing, just like the other parts of your car.
• Most of the people are aware of the fact that a dead battery can be brought back to life by using a battery charger. However, hardly a few of them know that it is possible to overcharge a battery as well, adversely affecting its life as well as performance. So, always be a little cautious while getting your car battery charged.
• Always keep you car battery in the tray designated for the same. At the same time, make sure to clean the battery on a regular basis, to avoid the formation of any crust. You can use a solution of water and baking soda for the purpose, along with a toothbrush

Car alternater
The alternator produces electricity used to maintain battery storage charge and to help run all the electrical accessories, including the ignition and the engine control systems. It is belt-driven by the engine and produces an alternating current (AC), which is converted internally to 12 volts direct current (DC) by the diode bridge or rectifiers.

Some cars have alternator-warning lights. If the alternator warning light is on, it means your charging system is not producing enough current to meet the electrical needs of your vehicle and to keep the battery charged. A warning light should not be ignored. It usually means something has failed and needs to be fixed.

Sometimes the alternator warning light will come on, when nothing is really wrong with the charging system. It's a gauge or light problem. One way to tell is to turn on the headlights. If the headlights shine with normal intensity and do not change as you rev the engine, all's well with the charging system and the problem is in the warning light or gauge circuit. But if the lights are dim or get brighter as you rev the engine, you have a charging system problem that requires further diagnosis.

Any of a number of problems can cause the alternator-warning lamp to come on. If the alternator drive belt is slipping, has broken or flipped itself off the pulley, the alternator will cease to produce current and the warning light will come on. If the regulator that controls the alternator's output has failed, the warning light will come on. And if there's a wiring problem in the charging circuit, the light will come on
Car battery
The battery acts as the nerve centre of a car's entire electrical system, storing energy produced by the alternator or generator and supplying it to those systems requiring smooth, uninterrupted, and continuous current (lights, fuel injection system, main computer). There are several types of batteries used in modern automobiles, each varying in performance and price.

Batteries come in three varieties - conventional batteries (using a conventional lead-sulfuric acid matrix), low-maintenance batteries (using low-antimony content lead and sulfuric acid), and maintenance-free batteries (using lead-calcium matrices and an electrolytes of low vapor pressure).

Conventional batteries may be easily recognized by the presence of vent caps through which hydrogen and water vapor are expelled during the charging process. These vent caps must be removed periodically to add distilled water to the electrolyte.

Low-maintenance and maintenance-free batteries have, at the most, four small vent holes. The alloys and electrolytes used, however, last for the designed life of the battery and should never require the addition of distilled water.

Battery problems are one of the most common problems associated with car. With a little bit of care and simple preventive maintenance lots of problems associated with battery may be avoided. In case of conventional battery, regularly check the level of distilled water and add if necessary. Maintenance-free batteries, despite their name, require minimal care. The posts and cable terminals must be kept free of corrosion and deposits so that the battery can continue delivering its charge at peak efficiency.

When servicing a battery, work in an open, ventilated area, and always wear safety glasses. Battery acid is very corrosive: take care not to get any on your skin or clothes.

Use a solution of baking soda and water to wipe away corrosion from the top of the battery and around the posts. Baking soda is a base, so it will neutralize the acidic deposits that have built up on the outside of the battery.

Use a wire-bristle battery brush to clean deposits from the posts. Some brushes also have an attachment for cleaning inside the opening of the battery cable.

To help prevent future corrosion, apply petroleum jelly to the inside of the terminals and the posts before reattaching the cables.

If you are not using the vehicle for a long period of a month or so then remove the terminals from the battery. This prevents the discharge and prolongs the life of the battery
Car starter
Car Starter is simply a DC motor that turns the engine crankshaft through the flywheel, starting the combustion process by creating compression within the cylinders. Voltage to the starter is supplied directly from the battery and is controlled by a relay and/or solenoid operated from the key switch inside your car.

A slow cranking engine may be a sign of a bad starter and with age, that's very likely. It may also be due to low battery voltage, poor electrical connections at the battery or a failed relay or fusible link.

Starting your car with the major components turned off (like the AC compressor, blower motor and high-powered stereos) will greatly ease the load on the starter.

Although the starter drive can be replaced separately from the starter assembly, it is better to replace the whole starter assembly. Failure of any part is due to age, usage and heat stress, to which the entire starter has also been subjected. So the other parts are also just as old and stressed. It's quite common to replace the starter drive only to buy another starter in a few months because the brushes wore out, a magnet broke, the solenoid failed, among other common mishaps