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Simple Car Maintenance Tips That Will Keep Your Car Running Properly
by Gregg Hall

If you want to ruin your day, never take the time to property maintain your car's engine. This is a sure fire way to have your car breakdown in the most remote of areas. Instead of tempting fate, why not learn how to keep your car well maintained and working properly.

Check your oil levels every week. Engines run at extremely high temperatures and some models will burn through oil at an alarming rate. You do not want to run dry on oil. This will damage the engine to cease. Once this has happened, you either need a new engine or a new car. Both of these issues are extremely costly. Can you afford to be without your car for a lengthy amount of time?

Change your oil every 3,000 miles. After driving for a certain amount of time, oil becomes dirty and sluggish. Keeping the oil changed regularly reduces dirt circulating in the engine.

Another troublesome issue is the belts. With every oil change, you should have the fan belts and air hoses checked for wear and tear.

Antifreeze should be changed every year. Have a professional flush out the cooling system and replace the tanks with new coolant. This can keep a radiator from developing leaks.

Transmission fluid should be checked regularly. The fluid should be changed every 36,000 miles. If the head gasket leaks, your coolant will leak into the oil system. This is an extremely costly repair, so have them checked regularly to prevent this issue. Always stop first before shifting into drive.

Look regularly in your driveway for leaks. If you spot any, take not of the color of the fluid and then take the car in for servicing. Transmission fluid is pinkish, antifreeze is green, oil is golden brown, and brake fluid is reddish. Knowing which fluid is leaking can help a garage determine the severity of your problem. They can fit you into a busy schedule if the leak is potentially hazardous.

To keep your air conditioning system working properly, run the system every month, even in the winter. The same is true with the heating system. It should be run in the summer to prevent any seizing.

Try to brake in advance. Sudden stops wear down brake pads far more quickly. Have your brakes checked regularly for wear and tear.

Tires should be rotated every 7,000 miles. Inspect them visually every month for tire wear, punctures, and bulges.

Pay attention to your battery. If you see white deposits forming on the terminals, clean them with a wire brush and then clean the battery with a mixture of baking soda and water.

Keep your car rust free by keeping it waxed once per season. Have the undercarriage washed at least twice a year.

Use WD40 to keep door hinges well lubricated. This keeps doors opening and closing properly.

Follow your car manual's recommended maintenance schedule. This guarantees the warranty will cover costly repairs, but also prevents unexpected breakdowns.

All it takes is a few simple checks every month, and you can protect yourself from breaking down in an unfamiliar or remote area. Your safety is that important isn't it?

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as a car care at http://www.carcarewizards.com

Find books about car care

Classic Car Restoration Guide by Lindsay Porter
A complete step-by-step illustrated guide to restoring classic cars

Haynes Car Bodywork Repair Manual by Lyndsay Porter
"practical guide to bodywork repair and renovation for the amateur repairer, which contains step-by-step instructions for bodywork repairs, from fixing a scratch to fitting a new body panel.."

The Kit Car Manual by Iain Ayre
The complete guide to choosing, buying and building british and American kit cars

Repairing and Restoring Classic Car Components by Peter Wallage, john Wallage
Useful book for anyone interested in car restoration

Classic Car Interior Restoration Guide by Kim Henson
"I found in that book not just a help, but even more, a vital reference..."

Haynes Techbook: Automotive Body Repairs and Painting Manual
by D. Pfiel, John H. Haynes, Curt Choate
Excellent reference book for anyone carrying out body repairs to their car

The American Custom Car by Pat Ganahl
"Pat Ganahl knows his stuff, as far as Custom Cars go, and boy does it show in this book.."

Build Your own Sports Car for as Little as £250 and Race it! by Ron Champion
"This book explains in detail (and plain english) everthing you need to know to build your own sports car.."

Car Builders Manual: the Indispensable Guide by Lionel Baxter
"The ideal present for anyone interested in cars.."

Build Your own Off Road Buggy for as Little as £100! by Ron Champion
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Complete Idiots Guide to Car Care and Repair Illustrated by Ramsey
Expert instructions on how to do basic repairs without special tools

Classic Car Restorer’s Handbook by Jim Richardson
“how to choose a specific car and the steps necessary for a basic restoration..”

The Everything Car Care Book by Mike Florence, Robert Blumer
How to maintain your car and keep it running smoothly

Make money from your hobby
“Using your present hobby or favorite pastime as your business base has many benefits. Why? Because any business you decide to become involved in should be doing something you LOVE something you believe in, something that you would work at NO MATTER what income it would generate...” read more

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Websites related to car maintenance

www.carbibles.com
Everything the DIY car enthusiast needs to know about basic car maintenance, wheels, tyres or tires, engine oil or motor oil, suspension (including springs and shock absorbers), brakes (disc brakes and drum brakes), gearboxes, transmissions, engines, motors, petrol, gasoline and general car maintenance.

www.haynes.co.uk
The leading publisher and retailer of car manuals

www.nationwideautocentres.co.uk
Provide car servicing, general repairs and Mot testing with over 200 centres in the UK

Auto parts and car care supplies

www.vertar.com
Provide high quality UK car care products and car accessories, available to buy online

www.eurocarparts.com
UK based suppliers of more than 90 thousand European car parts, offering a range of accessories and spares. Specialist in parts for BMW, Volkswagen, Porsche, Citroen, Peugeot, Renault, Saab, Audi, Volvo and Mercedes

www.247spares.co.uk
Have a wide range of new and used car parts including imported Japanese car parts, plus reconditioned engines & gearboxes

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