how to maintain your car, preventive maintenance for your car

Manufacturers Recommended Service Intervals.

We would like to give service intervals on major repairs and mileage that
the manufacturers deem certain services are normally required.

They are not put here to scare you off from buying a car. They are put here
to help you to be smart as to the needs of your car and any car you buy in
the future.

Things may change but this is a very thorough list. It is also put here to help
you with preventive maintenance. It is a lot cheaper to fix something when it
first starts to go out, then after the damage has been done.

Many people believe, and wrongly so that it is not good practice to point out
every issue with a car when it is brought into a shop for a simple service.

Well it is not good practice if the shop pressures you or tells you its life or
death if you don’t fix all these things now for fear that when your car breaks
down you’ll go elsewhere, so they want your money now.

But pointing out issues before they become more damaged or costly, or
cause other problems to surface is the sign of a competent shop,
Furthermore they are doing you a favor. It never hurts to get a second
opinion.

While our service intervals strive to be up to date, things can change, so
we can’t guarantee you that your car will never need expensive repairs. But
by following these intervals, it should help you avoid costly repairs by
catching issues when they are still small.

The car’s mileage. The mileage of a vehicle can be used as a general
guideline as to common problems that can occur at certain intervals.

You will be looking for these problems when you do the inspection. Certain
parts fail at certain mileage intervals.

As we said earlier; a car will average 10,000-12,000 miles a year. Anything
much more or less can indicate a problem. Now we will talk about certain
issues that will avail themselves at certain mileage intervals.

These service intervals are subject to manufacturer recommendations and
driving style and conditions.

3000-5000 miles-
•        Replace oil and oil filter, lubricate the chassis.

5000-6000 miles-
•        Rotate the tires, check and adjust the tire pressures.

15,000 miles-
•        Replace air filter.
•        Replace fuel filter.
•        Cooling system check and service if necessary.
•        Repack wheel bearings.
•        Check the complete undercarriage of the car.
•        Steering inspection.
•        Suspension inspection.
•        Fluid level inspections.
•        Wheel alignment.
•        Conventional ignition (as opposed to distributorless) and Carbureted
engine tune up.
•        If conventional. Replace spark plugs, cap, rotor, and points.
•        Tire balance and inspect the tread wear.
•        Brake inspection. Front and Rear %.
•        Clean and lube the brake caliper slides.
•        Check the above items from the lesser mileages.

30,000 miles-
•        Cooling system service and flush.
•        Automatic transmission service.
•        Electronic ignition tune up and check.
•        Spark plugs replaced.
•        Fuel injection system serviced.
•        Computer checks.
•        Emission checks.
•        Diesel engines, cooling system check,
•        Glow plugs tested,
•        Injection timing checked.
•        Recheck items listed under 15,000 mile service

60,000 miles-
•        Check and clean throttle body assembly.
•        Check cooling system hoses and replace if necessary.
•        Replace platinum type spark plugs.
•        Replace timing belt.
•        Recheck items listed under 30,000 mile service.

100,000 miles-
•        Timing chain (if applicable) checked for wear.
•        Timing belt, and balance shaft belts replaced (if applicable) if it still is
original.
•        Axle and differential fluids replaced.
•        Manual transmission fluids replaced.
•        Check on all the above systems.

Monthly recommendations-

•        Check the fluid levels under the hood.

•        Check belts and hoses.

•        Check for leaks.

•        Check tire pressure, and condition of tires.

•        Check battery- look for leaks and corrosion on cables.

Yearly recommendations-

•        Test alternator.

•        Test Starter.

•        Test battery and check fluid levels.

•        Inspect for fluid leaks.

•        Check all lights.

•        Check horn.

•        Check belts for wear and tension (if applicable).

•        Check idler pulleys and tensioner (if applicable).

•        Check coolant hoses for softness or leaks.

•        Inspect battery cables and service if needed.

•        Service air conditioning system.

•        Flush out radiator and cooling system.

•        Clean condenser fins on radiator and air conditioning.

•        Check and replace wiper blades if needed.