Regularly scheduled maintenance and lubrication using the manufacturers
recommended type and formulation of oil, grease and liquids is what will do the
trick.
Replacing normal wear-and-tear parts such as timing belts
before they break is also a good path to follow on the road to long vehicle
life. Taking good care of your vehicle can make the difference between being
the proud owner of a good looking, long lasting, reliable machine, and saying
goodbye to a rusty, faded-paint jalopy that fell apart or broke down long
before it was designed to.
Here Are a Few Helpful Tips To Keeping your Car Maintained:
- Check and change the oil. No single step will help an
engine last more than regular oil and filter changes will. Conversely, nothing
will destroy an engine faster than neglecting oil-level checks or fresh-oil
changes.
- Flush the cooling system and change coolant once a year. A
50/50 mix of coolant and distilled water will keep the cooling system in good
shape and prevent corrosion and deposits from building up inside the cooling
system.
- Change out transmission and differential oils. While not
requiring frequent service, these fluids must be changed according to service
intervals. Always use transmission fluid or gear oil of the recommended type
and viscosity.
- Keep it clean. While washing the outside of the vehicle is
obvious, most everything the vehicle ran over can also get stuck to the
underside. Hosing off winter salt and road grime is a good idea.
- Everything with moving parts needs grease to survive. This
ball joint went into early retirement due to poor lubrication.
- Nothing keeps paint looking good and protected like a coat
of quality wax. Apply wax at least every six months.
- Driveline components such as u-joints also require regular
lubrication. The driveline may have to be removed to access the zerk grease
fitting.
- Protect the interior plastic by parking the vehicle in the
shade, using a window deflector screen, and applying a UV protectant to prevent
the plastic and vinyl from drying out.
- Inspect, clean, and repack wheel bearings with wheel
bearing grease according to service intervals. Wheel bearings and grease are
inexpensive compared to spindle and hub replacement, or liberated wheels
rolling down the road ahead of you.
- Brake fluid is hygroscopic. This means it is adept at
attracting moisture. Moisture causes components to corrode and fail. Replace
fluid and bleed system once a year. Brake fluid is cheap. Calipers, hoses, and
sensors are expensive.