MAINTENANCE
We all know that regular maintenance is important to keep our cars running safely and efficiently, but what does this entail and why is it so important?
Regular maintenance (including oil changes, tune-ups, and brake inspections) are a wise investment. It is as important to your car as regular doctor visits are to us. Cars that are well taken care of are safer, get better gas mileage, more dependable, perform better, and last longer. You also want to have these checks performed before going on vacation or a long trip in order to prevent breaking down in an unsafe or remote location.
So what items need to be maintained regularly? Check your car's manual, but AAA recommends the following:
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Tire pressure and lights should be checked monthly
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Chassis lubrication, oil change with filter should be done every 3000 to 5000 miles or every 3 to 4 months
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Belts and hoses should be inspected at the same time your oil is changed
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Tires should be rotated and wheels balanced at every other oil change
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Brakes should be inspected at every other oil change
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Air filter should be replaced every 12,000 to 24,000 miles or as indicated by inspection
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Fuel filter should be replaced every 24,000 to 100,000 miles
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Automatic transmissions should be serviced every 24,000 to 100,000 miles
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Wheel alignment should be checked every 12,000 to 24,000 miles or as indicated by tire wear
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Cooling system should be flushed and refilled every 40,000 to 100,000 miles
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Belts and hoses should be replaced every 60,000 to 100,000 miles or 5 to 8 years
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Timing belt should be replaced every 60,000 to 100,000 miles or 5 to 8 years
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Air conditioning should be checked every spring to make sure it's working properly
TUNING & BRAKES
Brakes are one of the most important components on your vehicle. You need the confidence of knowing that when you press your foot to the brake, your vehicle is going to stop. That’s why it is important to always have your brakes inspected regularly. Tuning will also help your car run efficiently and help prevent major problems.
Tip: You should always have your oil changed every 3,000 miles. This prevents buildup of sludge and grime. With a properly lubricated engine, you are virtually guaranteed that the engine will not seize. Consider going to a station that not only changes your oil but also performs safety checks. These stations will check brakes, tires, fluids, lights, and more for you.
CAR SERVICING
Is a series of maintenance procedures carried out at a set time interval or after the vehicle has travelled a certain distance. The service intervals are specified by the vehicle manufacturer in a service schedule and some modern cars display the due date for the next service electronically on the instrument panel.
The completed services are usually recorded in a service book which is rubber stamped by the service center upon completion of each service. A complete service history usually adds to the resale value of a vehicle.
WHEELS & SUSPENSION
Suspension is the system of tires, tire air, springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels and allows relative motion between the two. Suspension systems serve a dual purpose — contributing to the vehicle's road holding/handling and braking for good active safety and driving pleasure, and keeping vehicle occupants comfortable and a ride quality reasonably well isolated from road noise, bumps, vibrations, etc.
These goals are generally at odds, so the tuning of suspensions involves finding the right compromise. It is important for the suspension to keep the road wheel in contact with the road surface as much as possible, because all the road or ground forces acting on the vehicle do so through the contact patches of the tires. The suspension also protects the vehicle itself and any cargo or luggage from damage and wear. The design of front and rear suspension of a car may be different.