Save Money - Do Your Own Automobile Maintenance

Most automobiles manufactured today are expected to reach its 200,000- mile mark with regular maintenance and tune-up. Prices of automobiles are consistently increasing. To ensure that your car performs well, to preserve your investment, save yourself tons of money and effort, have your car repaired by an auto technician.

The key steps are to choose quality parts and keep your tools on hand to perform check-ups and routine maintenances for your auto.

Learning More About Your Automobile

If you want more information about your automobile, the best place to turn to is the owner's manual. Take note of maintenance procedures according to your car's mileage:

* 3000 miles

Whenever you reach 3000 miles, you need to change the engine's oil. As you do this, you need to change the filter. Other aspects to look into are the fluid, tires, air filter, hoses, and belts. You must examine the state of battery cables and terminals.

* 5000 - 10,000 miles

Maintain the rotation and balance of your car whenever you cover 5 to 10 miles. This will ensure that the tires won't wear out and its life span is extended. Take note, most especially, of the front tires for the right pressure.

* 15,000 miles

Change air filter after running 15,000 miles for fuel efficiency. When your air filter is dirty, it will cause damage to the engine. As you do this, take time to also check your brake system.

* 30,000 miles

Once you've reached 30,000 miles, check your transmission's fluid level. Consult your owner's manual for the right kind of fluid to use in your car. Use the manual for proper directions on how to properly drain and change fluid.

* 50,000 miles

Upon reaching 50,000 miles, you need to change your car's coolant. Also, maintain your car's finish to ensure it remains in good condition. Constantly wash and apply wax onto your car as varied weather conditions could diminish the paint.

Car Maintenance Software

To ensure that proper maintenance is done on your car, you need to keep records. There are several ways to keep your records whether it be in a separate notebook, a log, or in your computer. In fact, there is a software available for this specific function. This particular software contain programs that track such maintenance procedures as repairs, replacement of parts, and fuel consumption.

The software can be used for monitoring multiple vehicles. Hence, you will know when one vehicle needs maintenance or changing of parts as it often becomes much of a hassle to keep track on each one.

Another impressive feature for this software is the capacity to set service schedule and reminders on when the next maintenance will be performed. Aside from that, it offers practical car care tips for your vehicle. Lastly, there are diagnostic and reference tools in case you have trouble with your vehicle.

Diagnose Your Vehicle

There are common car problems that require only simple job. Instead of going to a technician, you can save money by doing it yourself. Below are a few tips for fixing common car problems you can do.

- When you turn on the ignition and the car does not start, the battery might be dead. Often, this is due to an interior light being left on. Look for this light so you can turn it off. Wait for a few minutes and try turning on the engine again.

- When you turn on the ignition and you hear a screeching sound, you might need to check the fan belt. In fact, you might need a fan belt replacement, which is something you can do. However, if you are unsure on how to do this, you can always seek the help of an auto technician.

- There are certain instances wherein the car starts but dies after a matter of seconds. This might be due to fuel getting into your engine tank. There are 3 possible reasons for this: you are using the wrong type of fuel, you are out of fuel, or there is something wrong with your safety switch.
Do-It-Yourself Auto Jobs

While there are car maintenance procedures you must leave to the auto professionals, it is your duty as the car owner to check on the condition of your vehicle. Here are a list of basic car maintenance techniques:

1. Maintaining wiper blades.
2. Providing wiper fluid.
3. Changing oil and checking oil filter.
4. Checking tires for right pressure.
5. Maintaining headlights.
6. Checking air filter.
7. Replacing spark plugs.
8. Checking battery life.
9. Keeping an eye on automatic transmission fluid.

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Most Frequent Car Repairs

With any machine as complicated as an automobile, you are bound to run into problems now and then. Fortunately, the majority of car repairs involve the same common issues, so it is relatively easy to find mechanics able to repair them.

Prevention is the best medicine, as they say, and that goes for cars, too. If you know what the most common auto repairs are, you can make sure that you are vigilant of these areas and keep them well-maintained. Often, it`s worth getting repairs done before the part is completely ruined, such as with brakes. When something vital goes wrong, it could cause serious problems and even an accident, so you will want to check these frequently.

Brakes
Since we use our brakes continuously, it makes sense that they tend to wear down before many other parts on the vehicle. However, the brakes are also a very important part of the safety system in a car, so you really don`t want to wait until they fail.

The best way to ensure that you never have real problems with your braking system is to simply have it fixed as soon as you notice anything different. If you hear squealing every time you slow down or the brakes seem mushy and need to really be stomped on to stop, it`s time to head to the garage and get things checked out. It`s just not worth the risk of having the brakes give out when you need them most.

Tires
Another part of vehicles that tends to need attention more frequently is the tires. The last thing you want is a blowout on the highway, so keeping your tires in good condition and making sure to replace them with new or used tires when needed, will help keep your vehicle safe.

Things to watch for include bulging of the tires, wobbling or the wearing down of the tire tread. Have a professional check if you aren`t sure about something and keep your tires inflated the proper amount to make sure they last as long as possible.

Dashboard Lights
Believe it or not, the little 'Check Engine' and 'Check Oil' lights tend to break down sooner than many other vehicle parts. While it may be tempting to just ignore the fact that your overheating warning is on all the time, these are guides to help you stay on top of potential problems with the car and should be repaired.

Oil
One of the more frequent auto repairs required involves the motor oil. If your vehicle goes through too much, you will want to have a mechanic take a look and see if there isn`t a leak in the system that can be repaired. Without oil, your vehicle won`t function, so be vigilant of the levels and be sure to top up when required.

Lights
Taillights in particular tend to burn out and it`s easy to miss the fact that you don`t have a turn signal until the police pull you over. Electrical system failures can also cause problems. Lights are important as they are how we signal our intentions to other drivers. Incorrect use (blinking turn signals when your signal is off, etc.) can cause accidents and misunderstandings that may end up being quite serious. Check your lights, front and back, for proper functioning on a regular basis and have them repaired as soon as you notice they aren`t working.

Maintaining a vehicle and ensuring that it is safe to drive is part of being a responsible driver. It helps to understand which areas of the car are most likely to break down and to give these extra attention.

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The 5 Most Common SMART Repairs

SMART repairs, or small, medium repair techniques, are a great way to repair all of the little imperfections that have built up on your vehicle over the years and make it look new again. Not everyone can or will perform these repairs. Only trained technicians with specialized tools will perform the repairs on your vehicle. It's best to find a body shop that specialized in these type of repairs, so you can be sure they have the experience to do the job right. Look below to see 5 of the most common SMART repairs you can have completed on your vehicle.

Alloy Wheel Repair- Over time you can start to see scuffs and scratches appear on your allow wheels. While this doesn't affect how your vehicle performs, it does affect the appearance. Everyone wants their vehicles to look as nice as possible. Getting this simple repair done will make sure that your vehicle looks its best.

Paint Damage- It's really not difficult to get slight paint damage on your vehicle. Scratches and chipped paint can occur easily. If a branch on a tree scrapes against your vehicle or someone opens their vehicle door too far and nicks the side of yours, the paint will more than likely be damaged. A specialist mobile repair technician can easily repair the paint damage without the need to repaint your entire vehicle.

Dent removal- There are so many ways you can get minor dents and dings in your vehicle. Maybe you hit a stray basket at the grocery store, or you weren't able to cover your vehicle during that last hail storm. Whatever the reason, a SMART repair technician can remove the dents with the least amount of impact on your vehicle. Many times they can even remove the dents without having to touch up your paint.

Trim/Seat Repair- The interior of your car probably doesn't see as much wear and tear as the exterior since it's not exposed to the forces of nature or other drivers. However, it's not uncommon to get small scratches on the dashboard or a small tear in the upholstery. There are a variety of SMART repairs that can fix these repairs and many others related to your vehicle's interior seating and trim.

Plastic Welding- This is a popular repair since there are many plastic parts on your vehicle that can be damaged. One of the most common plastic parts is your bumper. It's very easy to end up with little dents in dings in your bumper. Rather than spending the money to replace the entire bumper, SMART repair technicians use special plastic welding tools and repair the dent itself. The same goes for other plastic components on your vehicle.

These are just a few of the SMART repairs you can get done on your vehicle. They are a great way to make your personal or company vehicle look new again. They're also the best choice for repairing lease or rental vehicles and avoiding the high costs that the rental or lease company will charge for the damage.

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Stopping Squealing Brakes

Stopping the vehicle is one of the essential parts of driving. We have all been driving down the road at one time or another, just to hear the squeaking of breaks that come along with vehicles that are driving by. Sometimes, it's our own vehicles that are making these squeaky brakes. Many drivers are unaware of the problems that can come with squeaking brakes. Did you know that this often an indication of brakes that have been worn down, or brakes that need attention from a mechanic or other vehicle professional?

What causes brakes to squeak? Vibrations that come through the breaks squeaking can cause the irritating squeaking that we have come to know. The high frequency of the vibrations results in the high pitch squeaking. Alternatively, the squeaking can come from the disc that secures the brakes, when the vehicle is coming to a stop.

How are brake problems fixed? Many times, the complete brake system requires replacing to correct the problem that is associated with the squeaking brakes, other times. The brake pads, brake discs and shoes can all be replaced when the brakes begin to squeak because the surfaces on the brakes are exposed to each other without any padding.

Sometimes, new brakes have been known to squeal immediately after they have been replaced. If this is the case, give the brakes a few days to measure if the noise has subsided. If not, return to the mechanic to have the breaks examined to ensure that all components were installed correctly.

Did you know that depending on when the squealing of the brakes is present, than it can help to diagnose the problem? Did you know that a constant squeaking or squealing could mean that the brakes have dirt, grime or even a stone stuck within the mechanism? If the brake noises stop and start throughout the duration of the trip than it could mean that the brake pads are wearing down. Regardless of the noise coming from the vehicle, it is important to have the problem checked by a mechanic immediately, as it can mean there are serious safety issues occurring within the vehicle: after all, it is important that we are able to stop the vehicle when necessary, quickly and with ease.

Brakes are an essential part to the vehicle, therefore ease should be taken when choosing to install the brakes at home. Sometimes, errors can occur which can decrease the effectiveness of the brakes when they are truly required. If you choose to install your brakes at home, you should have proper know-how about technique, procedure and specific trouble shooting tips for brake installation.

Many drivers are unaware of the fact that brakes squeaking can be difficult to diagnose and can be even more difficult to stop. Did you know that in many vehicle manuals, brake squeaking is defined as being a normal function of the vehicle, as there is no liability to the auto Production Company, or warranty? For this reason, check your brakes - know your vehicle and be ready to take it into a licensed mechanic.

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The Benefit of a Tune-Up

Many drivers are not informed about the necessary and preventative care that should come with vehicle ownership. Did you know that a regular tune up helps to prevent the vehicle from rusting, increase gas mileage and keep your family safe? Regardless of how busy your life gets, it is crucial that we maintain good technique when taking care of our vehicles. For this reason, it is crucial that we develop good habits like regular oil changes and regular tune-ups for our vehicles.

How often should you get a tune up? Most vehicle experts recommend that a tune up be completed at least once a year. Of course, other times when the vehicle is given attention can shed light on problems, such as, when the vehicle is in for an oil change every 5,000 kilometers but a tune-up gives the vehicle mechanic a chance to examine the engine, the overall working of the vehicle, and, flush any fluids that are required to make the vehicle ride smooth and like new.

What exactly does a tune up cover when you take your vehicle into the shop? What does the mechanic look for? When you take your vehicle into the mechanic, he or she will have a look at the following aspects:

1. Fluids. When you take your vehicle into the mechanic for a tune up it is a chance to flush any fluids from the vehicle that are old and require changing. Did you know that old fluids become harmful to your vehicle and can cause the vehicle to run poorly? Many fluids in the vehicle run through the entire engine, isn't it time that we made sure that these fluids were safe? Changing these fluids will mean that the engine will run at full capacity, increasing fuel mileage and reducing emissions.

2. Battery. The mechanic will test the battery within the vehicle to ensure that it is running, and charging properly. Many vehicle experts take the time to examine the outside of the battery and clean the terminals in which the battery attaches to the vehicle. Cleaning and checking the battery can assist in creating a longer lifetime. If a new battery is required, this can be determined with proper testing. Most batteries are relatively cheap and can be easily changed at home, without the use of a mechanic. Having a battery that no longer holds its charge could mean becoming stranded on that cold winter day.

3. Wheels are an important part of the vehicle. Did you know that tires are an essential part of vehicle safety and the running of the vehicle? Tires range in price from low to high, depending on the type chosen for the vehicle.

4. Brakes are examined during routine vehicle tune-ups, as this component stops the vehicle from moving it is essential that they are in working order. Replacing parts of or the entire system is completed on an annual basis to ensure that the brakes are in good working order.

Now you are aware of all of the components which are checked when bringing the vehicle in for a tune up. Often, a report will be given about the state of the vehicle and what has been checked. Follow up on any concerns with the mechanic and ensure that a good check up of the vehicle has been completed.

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