Save By Performing Your Own Car Maintenance

[jeffrey]

By David Maillie

Today's cars can typically be expected to pass the 200,000 mile mark with consistent automobile maintenance. With the price of automobiles, you will want to protect that investment by performing regular maintenance. If you can do much of the work yourself, you will save a lot of money in labor. Invest in a good set of tools and choose quality parts when performing your own automobile maintenance.

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 or on your home computer. There is software available to help you keep track of maintenance. These programs track repairs, maintenance, replacement parts used on the vehicle and fuel consumption. You can use the same software for multiple vehicles.




Most software allows you to create a service schedule and will remind you when it's time to perform maintenance tasks on each vehicle in your household. The software contains a wide variety of tips for car care. In addition, many have reference and diagnostic tools to help you diagnose various problems with your cars. Many companies offer a free trial that can be downloaded on the internet. This allows you to try out the program before investing your money.

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.

3000 Mile Maintenance

Change the oil in your engine every 3000 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.

5000-10,000 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.



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.

Remember to take care of your car's finish. You want the paint to remain in good condition for as long as possible. Wash the car regularly, even in the winter when salt from the roads can ruin the finish. Apply wax to protect the paint from the sun, salt and weather conditions. Don't neglect the headlights, which can become cloudy and won't operate as well.

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David Maillie is a chemist with over 12 years experience in biochemical research and clinical analysis. He is an alumni of Cornell University and specializes in biochemical synthesis for public, private, and governmental interests. He holds numerous patents including his recently awarded patent for headlight cleaner and restorer. He can be reached at M.D. Wholesale

[Savon]

Sounds great if you're into that, but - how long does it take to recoup the investment in the tools? Where do I keep those tools and how much does it cost to store them? Especially things like the diagnostic computer that plugs into my car's computer? How much money/time am I going to invest learning these things? How good of a job would I do compared to an expert? How bad is it going to suck when my engine breaks because "oops, guess I didn't seal something properly" and I chalk it up to experience, and pay thousands of dollars? How much money do I have to blow before I get good at it?

As for little things like changing the oil or the spark plugs - sure, I could do that. But when I take it to an oil change place, they check about 20 different things. And I can change the spark plugs, but I can't check the timing without the equipment.

Let's face it, doing your own car maintenance is for the hobbyist or professional. It takes a lot of time, and isn't my time worth money? And don't I have to pay just as much for parts as anyone else, if not more?

It's like the guy who says "I'll save money by building my own house" and then after a year things start falling apart.... no thanks. Should I do my own dental work, too?

The best way to save money on car maintenance is to get it done regularly, by a professional.

[Russell]

Originally Posted by Savon

The best way to save money on car maintenance is to get it done regularly, by a professional.

I think you forgot to give us the name and location of your garage