The Basics Preventive maintenance is very important and, if routinely performed, not only prolongs the life of the car but also lessens the chances of an unexpected breakdown. We won't even bother to mention the effects on resale value.  It's kind of like brushing your teeth everyday.  There's less chance of them falling out of your head if you do. No 1 Tip Shock Horror - Read the manual! The best and most efficient method of knowing about your car and keeping track of it is through the owner's manual that provides complete information on what to do and how to go about it. Just read it once and jot down the key bits. Parts of your car that need regular care: Engine The engine does the most amount of work in your car. It's the heart, so to speak. Its moving parts run at high speed and function at very high temperatures. For the protection of your engine, change your oil regularly (about every 3,000 miles). Follow the manufacturer's recommendations on oil and filter changes. Engine oil, transmission fluid, and fuel are systems that need to be checked and replaced periodically. Tires Tires wear out unevenly. It's a little nutty, but if you want to make them last longer, you can rotate the position of the tires and balance them at intervals of 6,000 miles. It's sort of like flipping your mattress. Under-inflated tires increase your fuel consumption by 10%. A periodic check for stone and gravel enmeshed in the tires is also a must. You might not want to do the wheel changing, but you can manage the inflation bit. Brakes At times, you may notice that brakes tend to become unresponsive and wobbly or act slowly. It's time to check and top-up the brake fluid reservoir.  Do you want to roll the dice with this one? Battery For the prevention of corrosion, it's important to clean the battery terminals regularly and apply a light coating of grease. Also, check the level of distilled water in the battery to ensure that the plates are covered at all times. If the level of water is very low, the acid becomes concentrated and corrodes the plates. Interior Regular vaccuming of the interior will prevent the deposition of any kind of sand, dust, grime, or salt from damaging the floor surface. Wipe the dash, seats, instrument panel, and the rear parcel shelf. Use special car cleaners and not household stuff for cleaning.  And don't just do it when you know you'll have a client in your car.  You deserve to sit in a clean car. Exterior A well maintained exterior is a sign of good overall maintenance and goes a long way in lifting a car's resale value. This is especially important in coastal cities where salt air corrodes unprotected metal surfaces. Wash it regularly to keep rust at bay. Servicing The most important thing is regular servicing.  If you can get your hair cut and colored every 6 weeks you can get your car serviced at least once a year.

 

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