The Secrets to Maintaining a Trouble -Free Automobile

With gas prices at an all-time high, the last thing drivers need to worry about are their cars falling apart. Or parts collapsing at the mention of the word maintenance. Therefore, to keep your car functioning at peak capacity, the following tips may prove helpful. If not, you can always trade in that 1991 LaSabre with the raggedly seat belt for a newer, more serviceable model but who wants to do that? So what’s the alternative? My suggestions of course. And without further adieu here they are:

1. Replace brake fluid at least once a year. This isn't a common practice, and few owners manuals mention it, but brake fluid attracts water (from condensation and humidity in the air), often causing corrosion in the master and wheel cylinders.

2. Test your car's tires weekly with a dial-type gauge {gauges without dials are sometimes inaccurate). Studies show that most cars have two or more tires that have low air pressure, causing poor fuel mileage, unsafe handling, excessive wear and heat buildup. All-these problems can cause early tire failure.

3. Know the Life Expectancy of Your Car Parts. Here are the average life expectancies for some vital parts of your car. Suspension system: 15,000 miles. Ignition wires: 25,000 miles. Water pump: 30,000 miles. Starter: 40,000 miles. Brake master cylinder, carburetor and steering mechanism (ball joints): 50,000 miles. Fuel pump: 75,000 miles. Clutch timing gear chain/ belt, universal joints: Up to l00, 000 miles. 4. Don’t forget the warning light. The oil-pressure light found on the dashboard is not a foolproof system. Shocking isn’t it? By the time the light flashes the engine has been without oil long enough to harm the machinery.

5. No idling allowed. Idling the car doesn't warm up all the car's systems such as the lubricants or steering fluid. Therefore, you’re advised to keep speeds under 30 mph for the first quarter mile and not much over that for the next several miles.

6. Replace radials whenever the tread is worn down to 1/16 inch from the bottom of the tire groove. At that point, the grooves are too shallow to take water away and hydroplaning may occur at higher speeds. Do not "cross-switch" radials. Always exchange the left front with the left rear and right front with the right rear. Radials should never be re-mounted in a manner that will change the direction of rotation. If your car is shaking and vibrating, your wheels may need aligning. Improper alignment causes excessive tire wear and increased fuel consumption. 7. Change your oil every 3,000-4,000 miles. For long auto life, the single most important maintenance procedure is to change your oil every 3,000-4,000 miles, regardless of operating manual instructions. Reason: The acids caused by combustion break down the additives found in modern lubricating oils. These acids can begin to corrode engine parts. Now that I’ve shared my suggestions with you, get up and check your oil, tires, brake fluid and any other parts you deem necessary to get your automobile in its greatest shape ever. Varoooooommmm, See ya on the road!

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