The Preventive Maintenance You Need to Do On Your Car (and When)

I found this article on lifehacker. It may not cover every single detail but it is quite useful for who want to start learning to check car by themselves.

The main point is to check your owner's manual

Below is just an excerpt for your quick skim. If you found this is interesting, please click above hyperlink to get whole author's view.

I will add more details and pictures for some bullets (based on real use cases at ProAuto) in this thread afterwards.

- First, Read Your Owner's Manual
Regular maintenance schedule is inside it, and you'll never fall for old car myths like, "You should change X every XX,XXXkm” etc... It can vary widely by vehicle

• If you don't have a hard copy one, these links may be helpful.

  • http://www.edmunds.com/how-to/how-to-find-your-car-owners-manual-online.html

  • http://justgivemethedamnmanual.com/

  • http://www.helminc.com/helm/welcome_select_oem.asp?Style=helm

  • http://www.haynes.com/

- Preventive Maintenance Every Vehicle Needs

1. Do your own inspection
   - Lights, Air Pressure (every month), Tires have enough tread (penny test or wear indicators)
   

2. Learn to check fluids (Engine Oil, Gear Oil, Power Steering Oil, Brake Fluid,...)
   - Most have gauges or dipsticks you can pull out to check current levels against a notch that indicates optimal levels

3. Inspect and get your timing and serpentine belts replaced when necessary

4. Check oil and get it changed regularly

5. Check battery and clean the contacts(if necessary)

6. Replace windshield wipers when the view gets streak-y

7. Replace cabin air filter

8. Replace engine air filter
- The owner's manual may give a mileage estimate but if it's too dirty before that figure, replace it.

9. Get tires rotated and balanced, and alignment checked
- Tires last much longer by getting them rotated, balanced and aligned.

10. Change spark plugs

- Use Technology to Track Your Maintenance
- Take photo of maintenance receipts and put them into Google docs, dropbox or Evernote

- Apps:- Road Trip (iOS), Car Maintenance Reminder (Andriod), AutoCare (iOS/Andriod), Car Minder Plus (iOS), aCar (Andriod)

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