Tips for the Home Mechanic: General Maintenance

When performing general maintenance on your vehicle here are some basic rules to follow.

1. Safety first: If you need to jack-up your vehicle to perform maintenance, make sure that your wheels are chocked, your emergency brake is engaged, your vehicle is in park, and that the jack stands you are using are rated for your vehicle's weight. (if your vehicle is a stick, make sure it's in gear before raising it)

2. Every vehicle manufacturer's recommendation is different, but it's still a good idea to change your engine's oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. When changing your vehicles oil you should also change your oil filter. If your using a high grade synthetic oil, be sure to use the same brand when adding or changing the oil - you wouldn't want to mix a synthetic with a natural oil so be sure you know what's in your vehicle before you start.

3. Be sure that your engine coolant is at the proper level - you don't want to run your engine if you're low on radiator fluid. It can cause you all sorts of trouble. When checking the coolant level, be sure the engine is at running temperature, you won't get a proper reading if the engine is cold. It's also a good idea to take a look at your hoses to make sure there are no splits or holes where coolant can leak out, especially if you live in an area with extreme temperature shifts.

4. Check your spark plugs and wires. Dirty plugs won't arc they way they are intended to and can cause problems starting your vehicle. Also make sure that they are gaped properly for your vehicles specifications.

5. While you've got the hood up, take a quick look at your air filter to make sure it's clean and not clogged up with debris or leaves. If it looks dirty, you can take it out and blow if off to remove the particles that may be stuck in it and inhibiting air flow, but it is best to replace it with a new filter.

6. Check your belts to make sure there is no fraying or slipping and that they have the proper tension.

7. Take a look at your brake pads to make sure there is enough material still on them to drive safely. On most vehicles, changing the brake pads is relatively simple and it goes a long way in ensuring the safety of your ride. Also take a look at the rotors to make sure they are not gouged or scored.

8. Check your brake fluid reservoir to make sure that the fluid level is good. If the brake fluid starts to look murky or brown, it's time to change it. It is recommended that you take the vehicle to a service station to have the brake fluid changed, but if you are going to do it yourself, be sure to bleed the brakes properly to get all the air out of the brake lines before sealing up the system. One more quick note, if your vehicle takes Dot 3 brake fluid, don't get any of it on your paint - it will eat right through it and ruin the finish.

9. In the winter months it's not a bad idea to add some dry gas to your vehicle. It helps keep the water level down in your gas tank which will help keep your vehicle running better in the cold weather.

10. Change your windshield wipers if they are getting streaky or leaving un-cleaned areas behind. Not being able to see in the rain or the snow is extremely dangerous and not worth the risk. If you live in an area where there is a fair amount of snowfall in the colder seasons, try using snow blades on your windshield wipers, they are a heavy duty variety of wiper blade that can stand up to the weightier snow better than an average blade can. Also be sure to keep your wiper fluid filled so that you can easily clean off the dirt and grim that gets kicked up on the roads in bad weather.

11. Make sure all of your bulbs and lamps are working. Take a walk around the vehicle with the head lights on and the brake engaged (you can ask a friend for help, or with your vehicle in Park, prop a brick or other heavy object on the brake pedal) to make sure all of the bulbs are functioning. And then perform the same check with the turning signals one at a time.

12. Always take care not to spill chemicals into the dirt or grass around the area where you are working. Some of the chemicals used in your car are bad for the environment. If you do have a spill, you'll want to clean it up right away. Also, be sure to dispose of your used oils and fluids properly by taking them to a recycling center or mechanic shop where they can be disposed of safely. It is illegal to dispose of many of them in your household trash.