Heavy repair work may be inevitable at some point in your vehicle’s life, but taking preventative measures can safeguard against terminal problems and improve its overall performance. To keep your car operating as efficiently as possible, consider the following tips:
Timing belt
Many auto mechanics believe the timing belt is the most neglected part of a car’s internal system. “If the timing belt isn’t replaced at the proper interval, it can break and damage the engine,” explains William Trbovich, owner of Acurit Auto Repair in Rohnert Park. “If you don’t stay on top of this, a routine service that costs about $600 could turn into a $4,000 valve job.”
Fluids and tire pressure
Every three months (more often if specified by your vehicle owner’s manual) and prior to a road trip, check your car’s fluids, including transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, radiator coolant and windshield washer fluid. Keeping these fluids at their full-level marks helps lubricate your car’s moving parts, which reduces reduce fiction, heat and general wear. Also, make sure to inflate your tires to the proper levels. Underinflated tires wear down more quickly and can also lower your car’s gas mileage.
Maintenance schedule
Each car has a different maintenance schedule, so it’s vital that your mechanic has access to the latest service bulletins and databases from manufacturers. “For instance, if you don’t replace the coolant at the specified interval, it can degrade and become acidic, which will damage the cooling system and engine,” shares Mr. Trbovich.
Anti-freeze
Prior to winter, have an auto shop check your car’s antifreeze with a hydrometer (a device that takes a sample of antifreeze and specifies how cold the temperature can become before it freezes). The antifreeze should be able to withstand temperatures of at least 30 degrees below the coldest winter temperature. To avoid frozen antifreeze, purchase only the type specified in the vehicle owner’s manual—improper antifreeze can crack an engine’s block, which could result in thousands of dollars of repair work.
