Date: Mon, 2 Mar 1998 00:20:25 CST
Reply-To: Joel Walker <JWALKER@UA1VM.UA.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Joel Walker <JWALKER@UA1VM.UA.EDU>
Subject: keeping your car for a long time <long>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
this is another article from the current issue of Motor Trend. it's a
good general guide, but is oriented toward modern cars with automatic
transmissions. :) oddly enough, they talk about "front linings" for
the brakes ... when almost all cars today have front DISC brake pads. :)
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Top Ten Secrets of keeping your car new Motor Trend, April 1998
Get the most from your car, truck, or sport/utility vehicle
Keeping our vehicles in top shape is an imperative these days. It's
easy to understand why: The price of entry for a new car begins at
around $10,000 at the very low end, and quickly escalates up to
$20,000, $30,000, or more.
A new car purchase is a financial commitment second only to that of a
new home for most of us. That's reason enough to take an active role
in ensuring our car's longevity. Simply, paying attention to the
details that help keep our vehicles in top shape is an investment that
guarantees we get the most for our money.
Here, then, are our top tips for keeping your car, truck, or sport/
utility vehicle looking good, and running well, for years. There's
nothing really exotic presented on these pages ... no shortcuts to the
high road of the 200,000 mile car, no directions to a four-wheel
fountain of youth. What we offer are common-sense rules-of-the-road for
keeping your vehicle in the best possible condition. Follow them and
you'll likely reap the benefits of a vehicle that continues to offer
the high levels of comfort, performance, and aesthetics that prompted
you to drive it home from the showroom when it was new.
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1. CHANGE YOUR OIL
This one's almost too easy, but it leads the list because it's also the
most important. Not only is changing the oil a favorite do-it-yourself
activity, but with the proliferation of chain stores around the country
offering 10-minute drive-through oil changes, there's no excuse not to
do this on schedule.
Changing oil regularly is one of those things that's absolutely certain
to extend the life of your engine. Follow the manufacturer's recommended
oil change intervals faithfully. If you're driving in extreme conditions
change it more frequently. Changing oil viscosity to match the season
also makes sense. And never let your oil get low.
Motor oil does more than just lubricate your engine. It carries away
excess heat and removes sludge. Detergent oils take away carbon,
pollutants, and other debris from interior engine surfaces. Motor oil
itself doesn't wear down, but its chemical additives do, and the oil
becomes degraded by pollutants, thus the reason for changing oil
frequently. Never flush the system.
Your oil filter is important, too. It catches dirt and abrasive
particles and removes them from the oil. Because modern engines have
such close tolerances and such tight emission controls, filters tend to
clog more quickly than in years past. When that happens, a by-pass valve
in the filter opens and allows oil to flow by unfiltered. You want to
avoid this, so change the filter during every oil change.
2. HOT TIP: Check Your Antifreeze/Coolant
The liquid in your cooling system is designed to carry away excess
engine heat, one of the chief enemies of good engine performance. Thus,
it is critical to make sure there's always enough coolant in the system
and that it's kept in its most effective state.
Most modern antifreeze/coolants are formulated to last a long time
(check the product package for details). Still, it's a good rule of
thumb to flush the system and replace the antifreeze/coolant about
once a year. Also, replace the thermostat every three years.
The water pump is the hardest working part in your cooling system, and
the most likely to break down. That's another reason to pay attention
to your coolant. The conditioners in an antifreeze/coolant are
designed to prolong the life of the pump and save you a costly repair.
So keep it topped up, change it regularly, and always use distilled
water for mixing.
3. REPLACE YOUR FILTERS
Your car is equipped with a variety of filters responsible for removing
contaminants from air or liquids. Each plays an important part in the
performance and longevity of your vehicle. Check them regularly and
replace them according to the manufacturer's suggested schedule, or
more often.
* Oil Filter. Oil changes, and properly-working oil filters, are the
number-one contributor to engine longevity. So change them regularly,
and on time.
* Air Filter. The air filter removes dust, dirt, salt, pollen, and
some pollutants from the air supplied to your engine's fuel injection
system, or, in the case of older vehicles, the carburetor. A clogged
air filter can result in poor fuel economy, a decrease in power,
backfiring, and hard starting.
* Transmission Filter. This filter removes metal filings and other
microscopic debris from the tranmission fluid. A clogged transmission
filter will eventually cause transmission components to seize.
* PCV Filter. The positive crankcase ventilation filter purifies air
supplied to the crankcase. This filter clogs more quickly in winter
and can cause your engine to run rough, decrease gas mileage, and
accelerate oil use.
4. ANALYZE YOUR DRIVING HABIT
Are you a habitual idler? That is, do you let the car idle for long
periods to warm it up in the morning? Consider changing this habit.
It's far better to idle no more than 30 seconds and then drive at a
casual speed for the first few miles. And, of course, never rev the
engine during warm-up.
At the other end of the spectrum, avoid those neck-snapping starts
and quick bursts of acceleration on the highway. Stoplight-to-stoplight
supremacy has its price, and if you're the one paying the repair bills,
you'll want to reconsider this car-damaging behavior.
Yeah, it's a thrill ride, but also think twice about running your car
at high speeds for extended periods. We don't need to mention those
pesky traffic tickets, right? But we are obliged to share that this
type of driving isn't especially good for your car over the long haul.
5. CONSIDER THE OCTANE YOU'RE USING
Your vehicle's manufacturer recommends a specific octane fuel to be
used with your engine and it's best to adhere to that. However, as a car
becomes older, it may be helpful to switch to a higher octane to keep
its performance level up.
How do you know when it's time for that? If your engine is knocking,
pinging, or running-on (dieseling), it's time to think about an octane
upgrade. Before you go from regular to premium, though, you should try
a different brand of gasoline (they are different). If that doesn't
solve the problem, switch grades.
6. SUMMERIZE/WINTERIZE YOUR CAR
Each season holds different challenges for your vehicle. Whether it's
-30 degrees in Butte or 125 degrees in Baker, gateway to Death Valley,
you have to prepare for it. Most importantly, ensure you're using the
proper viscosity oil for the season. Using a high viscosity oil in
winter means it will take a longer-than-normal time to circulate oil to
engine parts during a cold start.
Before the winter season hits, head to your mechanic to have your
battery condition checked. There's a direct correlation between
temperature and battery performance ... the lower the mercury, the less
effective the battery. If you've ever tried cranking an engine over on
single-digit days only to find this cranking slow going, then you get
the idea.
Winterizing presents a perfect opportunity for changing your antifreeze/
coolant. Have the thermostat checked as well, since a properly-operating
thermostat makes a car warm quickly and keeps it operating at the
correct temperature.
Finally, older cars should also be specially-tuned for winter running.
This should include the ignition system and the fuel system, especially
if it's a vehicle equipped with a choke, cold-start injector, or
manifold heat riser.
The first step in summerizing your vehicle should be to make sure you're
using an appropriate summer grade oil. Running lightweight winter oil
during higher summer temperatures dramatically reduces lubricating
protection.
Have your air conditioning system inspected. An improperly functioning
air conditioner is a gas guzzler and can cause your vehicle to overheat.
Since your car's air conditioning refrigerant is also the system's
lubricant, it's important to run the A/C system periodically for a few
minutes, even in winter, to preserve the seals. The compressor drive
belt should be checked annually.
7. KEEP TABS ON YOUR TRANSMISSION
If you don't want to become a shiftless character, be sure to check
your car's transmission fluid level at least every 9,000 miles, and
change it every 30,000 miles. A good trans fluid contains chemicals
that help fight the severe oxidizing that can occur in your
transmission. Oxidation can cause sludge and varnish deposits,
corrosion, seal hardening, and glazing of clutch plates and brands...
not a good thing.
Don't allow your transmission fluid to overheat. If your engine is
running hot, it's a safe bet that the transmission is up there in the
heat range, too. A common culprit is stop-and-go driving on hot days.
At these times, it's best to place the transmission in neutral to
reduce friction and allow the fluid to cool down while you're stopped.
If forced to drive at a speed that causes your transmission to
continually shift between two gears ... a situation that most often
occurs on steep grades ... then manually select the appropriate gear.
This is much less painful for your vehicle than allowing the
transmission to continually hunt for the right gear.
8. KEEP YOUR BRAKES IN WORKING ORDER
It's a given that every time we get behind the wheel, we're certain our
brakes will function properly. In a very real sense, we bet our lives
on it. Yet, we've all heard the unhappy metal-on-metal squealing of
brakes gone bad. Not only is this unsafe, but it's also expensive since
it instantly transports you from the fairly benign world of maintenance
to the sometimes agonizing realm of repair.
Check brake shoes and pads every 6,000 miles or annually, whichever
comes first. Since front brake linings wear faster than rear linings,
it's normal and acceptable that many drivers choose to replace their
car's front linings more frequently than the rear.
Check brake fluid monthly and keep it topped off. Since chemical in the
fluid can become depleted and moisture can corrode brake system parts,
the system should be flushed and the fluid changed every two years.
9. MAINTAIN YOUR SUSPENSION
Keep your underpinnings in good shape and avoid unnecessary wear by
following the suspension lubrication schedule in your owner's manual.
Shock absorbers last a long time, but when they do need to be replaced,
be sure to replace them in matched sets. If your steering wheel
vibrates, that's an indication it's time your front wheels were
balanced. This should be done in any event every 15,000 miles. Keeping
your wheels properly balanced is a simple step that will dramatically
reduce wear and tear on steering componentry.
Air may be free, but if used improperly it can cost you plenty of money.
It's important to keep your tires properly inflated to achieve
optimum tire wear, of course. But correct inflation can also provide
better fuel economy by decreasing your tire's rolling resistance.
10. LOOK GOOD, FEEL GOOD
Sure, it's important to get the most from our vehicles by doing all the
right things that keep them running for years and years. But what's
longevity without a little style, a bit of flash? In the automotive
realm, looks are important, too.
Since you can't have form without a good foundation, it's important to
take the right steps to keep your vehicle's sheetmetal and under-
carriage in top condition. One of the biggest concerns is dealing with
rust. It's never too late to apply a rust treatment, but it should be
handled differently if rust is already a problem. Another significant
challenge is road salt, especially if you drive in the Great White
North or the Akaline Southwest. In these areas, it's crucial to wash
your vehicle regularly and completely after each exposure.
Let's talk about washing. You should always use a quality car washing
solution and a natural sponge. This ensures that dirt particles are
lifted and removed before they abrade the finish. Don't use plain dish
detergent. While this may provide a great mirror-like finish on your
china, it works against you in the driveway by stripping your car's
finish of oils. After using the right washing solution, rinse
thoroughly, then dry with a chamois cloth for the best shine.
Nothing beats a good coat of wax for a long-lasting shine. To provide
maximum finish protection, be sure to get at those out-of-the-way
places like door sills, rocker panels, wheel opening edges, and the
inside of the trunk. Don't use compounding. This removes paint
particles to even out the finish, but the ultimate price is dull and
prematurely-aging paint.
Follow the guidelines on these pages and you'll see that the secret to
keeping your vehicle looking and driving like new isn't a "secret" at
all. Rather, it's simply being aware of common-sense maintenance
techniques, and then making a commitment to use these techniques to
keep your vehicles showroom fresh for years to come.
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