DIY Vehicle Maintenance.

We expect our cars and truck to pass the 200,000 mile mark.  This is very possible with a consistent maintenance program. You want to protect the investment made in you vehicle by performing regular maintenance. If you do some of the work yourself, you will save some money.  If you want to a lot of the work, invest in a good set of tools.  Always choose quality parts, recommended by the manufacture when performing your own vehicle maintenance.  Lastly keep a good log of what was performed and when.

If you have some skill, but want to learn more look for courses in general repairs and maintenance. These can often be found at your local community center, Community College or an automotive technical school in your area. Consider investing in a good repair manual for your car, such as a Chilton’s manual. The internet is a good place to look for articles and information. There are many sites devoted to auto repair and maintenance.

You will want to keep track of all maintenance performed on your car. You can do this in a log, a notebook, on your home computer or online. Some websites track repairs, maintenance, replacement parts used on the vehicle and fuel consumption.  Some websites, after setup, will send an email reminder when it’s time to perform maintenance tasks on each vehicle in your household.

Your owner’s manual will give you some basic information about when certain maintenance tasks should be done. Most tasks will be listed according to the mileage on the car.

5000 Mile Maintenance

Change the oil in your engine every 3000 - 5000 miles. The filter should be changed at the same time. Newer synthetic oils are said to last longer without breaking down. When you change the oil, check the fluids, the air filter, tires, hoses and belts. At this time check the battery cables and terminals for corrosion. This can be removed with a wire brush or sandpaper.

10,000 Miles:

Have your tires rotated and balanced every five to ten thousand miles. This helps the tires wear evenly and extends the life. The best tires should be put in the front of the car. Check the tire pressure regularly and check the tread for signs of uneven wear or damage.

15,000 Miles:

Change the air filter every 15,000 miles. A clean air filter improves the fuel economy of your car. A dirty air filter can cause the engine to run rough and stall. At this time you should also check the pads and shoes on your brake system. Check the brake fluid and top it of, as needed. The fluid should be clear. If you notice noise when the brakes are applied or the steering wheel shakes or vibrates, this can be an indication that the brakes need replacing. In this case, don’t wait check the brakes and replace as needed.

30,000 Miles:

Check the fluid level on your transmission. The owner’s manual will have information about the kind of fluid that should be used in your car. The manual should have directions on how to drain and replace the fluid. The pan gasket should be changed when the fluid is drained. Also at this time, give the car a tune up. Replace all spark plugs and wires.

50,000 Miles:

Change the coolant at 50,000 miles. See the owner’s manual for directions on how to perform this task.