Professional Automotive Experts Answering Your Questions
Car Maintenance Information and Service Questions
EXTERIOR CARE AND MAINTENANCE
- Care and maintenance
- Paint touch up
- Waxes and polishes
Care and Maintenance
Taking care of the outside of your vehicle is just as important as
maintaining the rest of it. The paint on your vehicle is a barrier against all
of the harmful pollutants in the air and rain, keeping it clean and properly
waxed is vital to making it last the life of the vehicle (looks nice too).
Always use cleaners designed for automotive applications, the soaps tend to not
be as harsh, thus not damaging your paint. Your local parts store will have a
large selection of all the cleaners and waxes you will need to keep your vehicle
looking new and protected from the elements. While you are out there washing and
waxing your vehicle, don’t forget to inspect the entire thing for broken or
faded lenses, inoperative lights and other exterior damage. The exterior lights
on your vehicle are safety devices, having them in proper working order benefits
everyone.
PAINT TOUCH UP
Touching up little spots in your paint is an easy and inexpensive way to
keep your vehicle looking new. Auto parts stores usually have a great selection
of colors for touching up your paint, however the dealer can get you a closer
match using the color code off your vehicle. Touch up paint is ideal for small
rock chips or minor scratches; any area of size should be done by a body shop
for the best result. Always clean the area to be painted completely of all waxes
or foreign coatings. Let the paint dry completely before attempting any waxing
or polishing.
WAXES AND POLISHES
Waxing or polishing your vehicle is an important step to keeping it looking
new and protected from the elements. There are several different kinds of waxes
and polishes out there, each with a designed purpose. New vehicles or ones that
have been professionally “cut” or rubbed out, would benefit more from a more
from a pure wax or a straight polish, the cleaner waxes will leave
very minute scratches that would only be visible on a “cut” or new finish.
Cleaner waxes have a very fine abrasive that helps it clean off the grime
that attaches to your paint, restoring its original shine. No matter what kind
you use always be sure to get a product that is safe for “clear coat” paints, as
most of today’s vehicles have a clear coat/ base coat paint. When cleaning and
waxing your vehicles surface always follow the instructions carefully, and use
the proper applicators and cleaning towels.
Whether you use a paste wax or a liquid, it will all be personal
preference. Everyone’s eye is a little different, so try a few different ones,
ask a few friends what they like and don’t be afraid to ask questions at your
local parts store.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
- Oil service schedules
- Check engine and maintenance lights
- Alarm/Stereo reset procedures
- Engine tune up
- Cooling system service
- Brake fluid service
OIL SERVICE SCHEDULES
Factory service schedules should always be followed when it comes to
maintaining your vehicle. Your vehicles engine oil doesn’t just lubricate the
internal engine parts; it also helps to cool them. Over time the oil will break
down, thus reducing its ability to lubricate and dissipate heat. Factory
engineers take many variables into account when designing a service schedule, so
they should be followed closely. Always use the recommended engine oil for your
vehicle.
CHECK ENGINE / MAINTENANCE LIGHTS
Your vehicles instrument cluster contains many warning indicators; the
“check engine” or the MIL (malfunction indicator light) is one of them. The
check engine light is an indicator that one of the monitoring systems has
detected a problem. These range from simple fixes to complex diagnostic
journeys. A code reader or scanner is needed to retrieve the codes from your
vehicles computer. The diagnostic code will give you a place to start
troubleshooting the problem. The code is not always the exact problem, but it
gives you someplace to begin diagnosing the problem. Whenever the MIL light
comes on your vehicle is not working at its peak efficiency, the problem should
be taken care of promptly.
The “Change engine oil” light is not diagnostic related, but that doesn’t
mean it should be ignored. It is simply a reminder that it is time to service
your vehicle. Servicing your vehicle according to manufacturer specifications
will do nothing but make your vehicle perform better and last longer. Always
follow your schedule and use the recommended fluids. Resetting the light varies
for each manufacturer, GM vehicles turn the key to “on” position and push the
gas pedal to the floor 6 times within 4 seconds. Most Hondas holding down the
“trip/reset” button while you turn ignition on will reset it. Saturn have a
small button in the under hood power center, “oil-r” hold button down for
approx. 10 seconds with ignition on and light will reset.
ALARM/RADIO RESET PROCEDURES
Most new vehicles have factory alarm and anti-theft systems integrated
into the vehicles computer system. They tend to be much more reliable than
aftermarket alarm systems, but they do have problems. Resetting them is usually
a simple operation. Most vehicles the alarm can be reset by unlocking the
drivers side door. Some vehicles require that the ignition be cycled (turned on
then off) at least once. Chryslers and some Jeeps have you lock and unlock
either the trunk or the rear door depending on which the vehicle has. If you are
curious if your vehicle has an anti-theft system, there should be a light that
flashes or in the instrument cluster there will be a warning light such as
“security”.
Resetting your radios anti-theft code is a simple procedure, providing you
have the anti-theft code to unlock it. When the vehicle is purchased new the
radio is usually un-locked. That gives the new owner an opportunity to use a
code that they can remember or write down somewhere. If you don’t have the
original code then a trip to the dealer might be in order. Sometimes the radio
has to be removed to gain access to the serial numbers so that they can look it
up and retrieve the code. If this happens, have the dealer un-lock it so you can
change the code. Write the code down somewhere safe.
ENGINE TUNE UP
Your vehicles engine is a constantly monitored and controlled complex
system, but the computer cannot adjust for normal wear on certain items. Keeping
your vehicles engine tuned up properly is vital to maintaining optimum
performance and fuel mileage. Most engine tune-ups consist of: fuel injection
service, spark plugs, ignition wires, fuel filter, distributor cap and ignition
rotor. Some new vehicles have a coil per cylinder arrangement that eliminates
the distributor cap and ignition rotor, the ignition coil will mount directly on
the spark plug via a small rubber boot. The use of fuel injection cleaners and
additives can help keep varnish or other contaminants from hampering the
performance of the vehicle. It is also a good idea to clean out the throttle
bore. That is where the air inlet attaches to the engine. Have someone hold the
throttle open for you and wipe it clean with a rag and a little carb cleaner. No
matter what kind of vehicle you drive (or ride) always use factory replacement
parts, they may cost a little more but they will outperform and outlast most all
aftermarket parts.
COOLING SYSTEM SERVICE
Your vehicles cooling system is crucial to making the engine last longer
and perform better. An improperly maintained cooling system can result in the
overheating of the engine, which in turn can cause major component failures
within. The cooling system is a pressurized circulation system that consists of
5 major pieces.
The Water pump: Which is a mechanical pump that circulates the engine
coolant/anti-freeze through the radiator and back to the engine.
The Thermostat: the t-stat is a temperature sensitive orifice in the
cooling system that opens and closes according to engine temperature to regulate
the flow of coolant/anti-freeze through the radiator and back to the engine.
This allows for the engine to be run at specific temperatures to optimize the
performance and emissions levels of the vehicle.
The Radiator: The radiator is basically a finned box mounted at the
front of the vehicle that the coolant is forced through so that air may pass
across it and cool the anti-freeze/coolant. They are covered in fins that act as
heat syncs to help dissipate the heat.
The Cooling fan: The cooling fan is located directly behind the
radiator, whether the vehicle is front or rear wheel drive. Its job is to pull
air through the radiator at lower vehicle speeds to keep it from over-heating.
Cooling fans can either be mechanical (belt driven on the engine) or electric
(mounted on the radiator, temperature controlled)
Drive belts/hoses: All of the antifreeze/coolant in your vehicle is
pumped through several hoses. Maintaining them is crucial to preventing serious
engine damage from over-heating. Visually inspect the hoses for leakage, cracks
or abrasions and the general integrity of the hose. Replace any that are
questionable. The drive belt/belts should be inspected regularly as well.
Always follow the manufacturers recommendations on how often and which
particular anti-freeze/coolant to use. For more extreme conditions it never
hurts to shorten the service interval a few miles. Remember, take care of your
car and it will take care of you.
BRAKE FLUID SERVICE
The braking systems in today’s vehicles are far more efficient than ever
before. With the introduction of anti-lock brakes (ABS), the brake fluid in your
vehicle has never had to work so hard. The fluid is put through some of the most
extreme heat found in a vehicle, the friction created at the contact point of
brake pad/shoe and the brake rotor and or drum. Servicing your brake fluid will
help to maintain the performance of your vehicles braking system, ABS equipped
or not. Always follow the manufacturers guidelines when servicing your braking
system
Check Manufacturer Specific Car Maintenance
Questions and Answers
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