School:Automobile maintenance
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Four Stroke Firing Cycle
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[edit] Routine Maintenance
Your car, when it was delivered as a new product, usually has an owner's (user's) manual. This manual will describe the various periodic checks and maintenance suggested by the manufacturer as appropriate to keep the car safely operational with a minimum of problems.
- Checking tire tread.
Generally when any of the grooves cut into the tire to create tread are less than 1/16th of an inch it is consider time to replace the tire. Check this with a ruler or by using an American Lincoln Head penny. If when you hold the penny head into the tread the top of the head shows then it is time to consider replacing the tire. If at anytime noticeable asymmetric wear is visible then consult your owner's manual about rotating the tires and/or check with a tire specialist about balancing the tires on the wheels.
- Checking tire air pressure.
Tires generally have the appropriate air pressure stenciled on the side of the tires. Air loss over time and temperature variation from winter lows to summer peaks guarantee that tires not checked periodically will run at low pressures or high pressures. This results in reduced road gripping capability and premature wear on the tires, reducing the effectiveness and life of the tire. Check for the correct air pressure on the side on the tire or with your preferred tire vender and once a month or every couple of fueling stops check the air pressure in your tires.
- Checking the oil.
Most cars and truck have an easily accessible dipstick to make routine checking of the oil easy. When you fill up with fuel either ask the station attendent or check the oil yourself. Extract the dipstick. Wipe it down clean with a clean rag or paper towel. Reinsert the dipstick all the way. Extract it again and look for marks near its end that are labeled as being a full zone, needing a quart, or add more than a quart.
- Adding oil when necessary.
When adding oil be sure to locate the proper spout to put the oil in. Many cars and trucks have places to add transmission fluid, brake fluid, windshield cleaners, radiator coolant in the same engine compartment. It will thoroughly mess things up to be putting motor oil in the improper place!. Check the owner's manual or look for specific labeling on the spout plug. Oil is typically but not always added at or near the top of the engine block.
- Changing the oil.
- Checking the transmission fluid in automatic transmissions.
- Changing brakepads on disc brakes.
- Lights
It is appropriate every couple of months to check that all your lights are working and in the case of headlights aimed properly. To check direction of headlights on low and high beam park square in front of the side of a building or back of a garage and toggle the headlights to get an idea of where the high and low beams are aimed. The low beam should be aimed down a bit and slightly away from on coming drivers. The high beams are higher to penetrate down the road and also slightly off center to reduce visibility problems for oncoming drivers. It is important and useful to clean dirt and grime off of lights even if the car undergoes no other periodic washing. This enhances the effectiveness of the lights.
- Washing and Waxing Exterior
Routine washing can substantially reduce corrosion problems while waxing can extend the lifetime of the paint on the car exterior. Some cars now have special exterior coatings on top of the paint so checking the owner's manual for suggested washing practices is appropriate.
[edit] Repairs as Necessary
Repairs as necessary usually occur when an automobile no longer functions safely or at all. It could involve something easily done for yourself such as changing a flat tire using a spare from your trunk or something much more demanding such as overhauling or repairing a transmission.
