Chapter 20 Section 1

 Routine care that you give to your car ◦ Day to day care  Changing oil  Filling tires with air  Checking fluid levels  Routine servicing  Follow the schedule of preventative maintenance in your owners manual

 Easiest part of the vehicle to monitor, although they are often overlooked ◦ Easier to change a tire at home than on a busy street  Take the time to research the best tires for your vehicle  Never mix and match tires ◦ Should be of equivalent size, quality, and tread design

 Inflation ◦ Help the vehicle to grip the road evenly and wear at the same rate ◦ Overinflation  Only the center of the tire grips the road  Harder ride  Faster wear ◦ Underinflation  Outer edges of the tire grip the road  Steering is more difficult  Heat buildup  Decreases fuel economy  Faster wear ◦ Tire pressure should be checked once a month  Measure when the tires are cold  Make sure you check the spare

 Wear ◦ Make sure you check the tread of the tires and make sure they are not bald  Bald tires=no traction  Can lead to punctured tires  Tread should be no less than 1/8 inch ◦ Get your tires rotated for equal wear  Should be rotated on a regular basis  Switching tires from front to back and side to side

◦ Lifeblood of your vehicle  Check them regularly ◦ Also check under the vehicle for signs of leaking  Color of the puddle on the pavement indicates the type of fluid leaking out  To make leaks easier to see, leave a white sheet of paper under the vehicle overnight

 Oil ◦ If you suspect a problem with your oil or the oil gauge light comes on, stop immediately  Can damage the engine ◦ Check oil at least once a month  More frequently in older vehicles ◦ Change the oil at least twice a year or every 3,000 miles  Depending on the type of driving you do

 Oil (cont.) ◦ Check when the engine is cool and not running  Remove dipstick, wipe it off, reinsert, remove again and check oil level  Don’t only rely on the oil gauge to tell you when to change the oil  By the time the warning lights are on, its too late  Transmission Fluid ◦ Bright, cherry red ◦ Should be changed every 25,000 to 30,000 miles, depending on type of vehicle

 Brake Fluid ◦ Check fluid levels in the master cylinder ◦ Should be checked every time you have oil changed ◦ Replace it at least once a year ◦ Attracts water from condensation and humidity in the air, causing corrosion  Coolant ◦ Check levels in the radiator overflow tank ◦ Levels that are too low can cause the engine to overheat ◦ Start the car and add coolant  Prevents cracking of components from a sudden temperature change  Water alone can be used in warm weather if antifreeze is unavailable  Other Fluids ◦ Windshield washer fluid ◦ Battery fluid ◦ Power Steering fluid

 Belts ◦ Loose belts  In the engine can cause the electrical system to malfunction  Can contribute to inefficient cooling of the engine and problems with the power steering and air conditioning ◦ Belts should feel tight when you push them  If you can push them down more than ½ inch  Hoses ◦ Check hoses and hose connections for leaks  Wires ◦ Wires that are loose, broken, disconnected, or that have cracked insulation, should be prepared ◦ Check battery cables and make sure they are tightly connected

 One of the most important features of your vehicle ◦ Should feel firm resistance ◦ Should come to a smooth, direct stop ◦ Shouldn’t have to put the pedal to the floor  Get them fixed if: ◦ Have to depress the brake very low ◦ If the vehicle pulls to one side ◦ One tire locks when braking ◦ Grabbing or uneven braking ◦ Squealing or chattering noises

 Quickest way to diagnose problems with your engine is the exhaust ◦ If blue or smoky white, engine damage is occurring or have already ◦ Foul, sulfuric smell like rotten eggs, may be the catalytic converter ◦ Defects in the exhaust create noise and increase the amount of carbon monoxide poisoning for the vehicle’s occupants ◦ Keep an eye on the temperature of you engine  Overheating can result from the breakdown of your water pump or from a malfunctioning thermostat

 Be alert to problems with you vehicle’s steering ◦ Vibration of the steering wheel ◦ Excessive “play” in the wheel ◦ Difficulty in steering ◦ Wobbling or pulling to one side ◦ Sway when driving over a bump or turning corners ◦ rattling

 Keep records of when and what type of service work is done  Keep track of whether you do it yourself or have a mechanic do it  Owners manual will outline a specific schedule to follow

WhenWhat Every weekCheck levels of the vehicle’s oil, windshield washer fluid, and radiator coolant. Every monthCheck tires, belts, hoses, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power-steering fluid. Clean bugs out of your radiator grille. Wax the car to protect paint. Every 6 monthsCheck and clean battery cables and terminals. Check the condition of the brakes. Once a yearCheck the air conditioner refrigerant and shock absorbers replace the air filter and windshield wiper blades. Flush out the radiator and refill it with coolant. Hose down the undercarriage to remove dirt and salt after cold driving season. Check headlight alignment

 Keep an eye on the fuel gauge ◦ Don’t let the vehicle run out of fuel  Dirt can clog up the fuel filter  If the filter becomes blocked, your engine will not receive the fuel it needs for combustion to take place in the cylinders  Turn engine off before refueling

 Washing your vehicle  Waxing your vehicle  Cover your vehicle