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.
Before you put your cars for sale they need to pass several tests listed bellow:
Monthly check:
-
Oil levels: check for leaks and add more if needed.
-
Hoses and belts: replace them if they show signs of extreme wear and tear.
-
Air filer: replace if dirty or clogged.
-
Tires: add more air if the pressure is low. Also check for leaks, damage, bulges, or uneven wear.
-
Coolant or antifreeze -- add more if low and check for leaks.
Three month check:
-
Oil and oil filter: change every 5,000 kilometers/3,000 miles.
-
Windshield washer fluid: add fluid if low.
-
Brake and transmission fluid: add fluid if low.
-
Battery and power steering fluid: add fluid if low.
-
Battery terminals and cables: clean them if they are corroded.
Six month check:
-
Wiper blades: replace if worn out or brittle.
-
Headlights, brake lights, and turn signals: check if they work properly. Replace bulbs if needed.
-
Horn: test your horn if you have not used it in a while.
-
Brakes: inspect for wear and tear or "slippage."
-
Tires: rotate tires and balance wheels every10,000 kilometers/6,000 miles.
-
Spare tire: make sure it is still fully inflated.
-
Exhaust system: inspect for rust, damage, or loose parts.
-
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 so think about buying a car insurance for your vehicle.
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.
