Our Car - car maintenance portal
Tuning up your car and keeping it running smoothly is one of the most cost effective actions you can take to protect your vehicle and investment. Keeping your vehicle in top running condition is easy and usually starts with the most universal car maintenance tasks there is: an oil change. Unless otherwise instructed by the oil or car manufacturer, every car needs an oil change about every 5,000 kilometers/3,000 miles or 3 months, whichever occurs first. When the time is right you have three basic choices. You can take your automobile to the dealer for service, use an independent service center, or if you are familiar with the process, you can do it yourself.
Many car maintenance checks that rely on simple logic and any car owner can do them. If you see the tread on your tires is badly worn, have the tires replaced. Occasionally turn on your lights and walk around your car to see if all of them are in good working condition. Check your turn signals and brake lights too. Try your windshield wipers and if they smear, or rubber is coming lose, replace them. If one of your warning lights goes off, do not continue driving, but have the problem checked out right away. The longer you wait, the bigger the damage and cost could be.
Car maintenance is vital. It not only maintains the value of the vehicle, but will also keep you and your family safe on your many journeys.
Do-it-yourself vehicle maintenance check list
A car or auto maintenance check consists of a list of regular, simple inspections that are carried out to insure that a vehicle operates smoothly and at ultimate capacity. It is important to maintain a vehicle properly and detect difficulties as soon as possible. The quicker a problem can be prevented or fixed, the less damage needs fixing and the cheaper the repair will cost.
Routine car maintenance should be done at regular intervals and will depend on where you live and what season it is. It really makes a difference if you are driving the rough country gravel roads regularly, or are commuting to the city every day, especially if you often get stuck in highway traffic. Add some bad weather conditions and you will soon notice your car’s performance changes.
Monthly check:
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Oil levels: check for leaks and add more if needed.
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Hoses and belts: replace them if they show signs of extreme wear and tear.
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Air filer: replace if dirty or clogged.
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Tires: add more air if the pressure is low. Also check for leaks, damage, bulges, or uneven wear.
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Coolant or antifreeze -- add more if low and check for leaks.
Three month check:
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Oil and oil filter: change every 5,000 kilometers/3,000 miles.
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Windshield washer fluid: add fluid if low.
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Brake and transmission fluid: add fluid if low.
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Battery and power steering fluid: add fluid if low.
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Battery terminals and cables: clean them if they are corroded.
Six month check:
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Wiper blades: replace if worn out or brittle.
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Headlights, brake lights, and turn signals: check if they work properly. Replace bulbs if needed.
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Horn: test your horn if you have not used it in a while.
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Brakes: inspect for wear and tear or "slippage."
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Tires: rotate tires and balance wheels every10,000 kilometers/6,000 miles.
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Spare tire: make sure it is still fully inflated.
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Exhaust system: inspect for rust, damage, or loose parts.
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Shock absorbers: inspect for oil seepage or wear.
Note: Modify this guideline according to your personal driving conditions and the type of vehicle you are driving.
Does engine size effect insurance costs?
The short answer is yes and
though it may seem obvious there is a bit more to the reasoning.
A
bigger engine, means the car can go faster. A faster car does more
damage on impact than a slower car. More damage equals higher claims.
Smaller engines make it easier to obtain cheap auto insurance no
matter what company you insure with.
Also, cars that are advertised as
"fast", tend to be used/purchased more by people who tend to speed, thus
having accidents with higher claims damages.
Lastly, the raw data
shows that cars with bigger engines, on the whole, have higher/more
frequent claims payouts than cars with smaller engines. And it's the
last bit that REALLY counts. Why do 16 year olds have higher claims
payout? They are riskier drivers, so their rates are higher. Why do 8
cyl. engines have higher claims payout? You can go faster than in other
cars, so their rates are higher.
