MAINTENANCE TIPS

Tires

Tire wear patterns, such as scuffing, cupping and outside shoulder wear, often are an indication of a larger problem with a vehicle's chassis components. The cause of uneven tire wear can be as simple as under inflation or over inflation, but it also can result from loose parts such as shocks, struts, ball joints, steering linkage or from weak springs. As a precaution against tire failure, the No. 1 cause of highway breakdowns, regularly check tires for the following conditions:

• Shoulder wear, which can be caused by under-inflation or hard cornering. Many shredded rubber tires seen along highways are the result of either under inflated tires, running too long and too hot, or from severe misalignment.
• Center tread wear, which usually indicates over-inflation. Over inflation results when a vehicle owner tries to compensate for a slow leak by over inflating the tire to make it stay up longer.
• Cupping can be caused by an unbalanced tire condition, faulty wheel bearings, loose parts, fatigued springs or weak shock absorbers. Check the condition of the shock by forcefully bouncing the front end of the car several times and releasing it on the down stroke. Failure of the vehicle to settle after two strokes suggests worn shocks or struts.
• Camber or toe wear indicates misalignment due to loose, worn or bent steering linkage components. Many camber and toe wear problems can be traced to spring fatigue, which causes the vehicle's frame to ride closer to the road. Once the vehicle is below the manufacturer's height specifications, it is not possible to achieve the correct camber change designed into the suspension without replacing the springs. The vehicle also experiences excessive toe change as the suspension travels through jounce and rebound, again causing abnormal tire wear.
• Diagonal scuffing and cupping across the face on rear tires signals problems with toe. Diagonal tread wear or cupping on rear tires is caused when the direction the vehicle's wheels are heading is not in line with the geometric center line of the vehicle. When this condition occurs, front-wheel steering can be affected and lead to tire slip or loss of traction or control. (Note: The wear pattern that develops on rear tires from improper toe will vary depending on tread design. Wear patterns from rear-wheel misalignment may resemble cupping on tires with highway tread design and diagonal scuffing on tires with an all season tread pattern.)

Oil Changes

Changing your oil and filter is one of the simplest car-care operations you can perform. Not only can you save money but changing oil regularly can be one of the most beneficial services you car can receive.

Most vehicle manufacturers recommend oil replacement usually every 3,000 to 5,000 miles or more frequently if it's stop and go driving. To be sure, consult your car's recommendation. There are also some extended life motor oils available that will go well beyond normal motor oil life. Even so, be sure to consult your car warranty requirements for compliance.

Gas Saving Tips

One way to deal with increased gas prices is to drive less. Another is to improve your driving habits; go easy on the gas pedal. But old habits are hard to break.

Another conservation measure is to be sure your car is using no more fuel than it was designed to use by keeping track of your gas mileage.

You may not notice a drop in fuel economy month by month but it could add up to well over $450 a year. This figure on the typical car using 500 gallons of gas a year at $3.30 per gallon, it works out like this:

1. If the engine needs a tune-up it could be wasting 15% (or more) of its fuel, due to misfiring spark plugs, inefficient fuel system and malfunctioning emission controls.
   
   
2. If tires are 8 pounds underinflated, not an uncommon condition, rolling resistance of the tires increases by 5%.
   
   
3. If wheels are just 1/4" out of alignment, another factor that affects rolling resistance, chalk up another 2% or about $1.00 a month. Note: this condition, as well as underinflation, accelerates tire wear, thereby adding to the cost of neglect.
   
   
4. A cooling system thermostat stuck in the open position, causing the engine to run too cool, can reduce engine efficiency by another 7%.

Going back to hard-to-break habits, for every five miles per hour you press beyond 55 mph, you'll lose about one mile per gallon. A heavy foot when the light turns green also guzzles gas.

Used Car Buying Tips

Three tips for newcomers to the world of used car buying.

1. Do your homework. Read consumer magazines and price guides. This will help you decide what features you want, what specific cars fit your needs and what price range to expect.
2. Use an evaluation sheet to keep track of the cars you check out. Jot down what your inspection of each auto reveals. It will come in handy when comparing the pros and cons.
3. Never, ever buy a used car (or a new one either) on impulse. There are many places to shop for a used car, don't just stop at the first one.

Top 12 Car Problems

According to the Vehicle Maintenance Council 4 out of 5 cars need maintenance, such as the items listed below. Is yours one of them?

1. Worn brake parts: Postponing needed brake service, in addition to being a safety hazard, can escalate the cost of a braking system overhaul.
   
   
2. Tired windshield wiper blades: Don't wait for a rainy day to replace worn blades.
   
   
3. Burned Out Lights: Can you see and be seen? Check all your lights regularly to be sure.
   
   
4. Clogged Filters: Scheduled replacement of air, oil, gas, fuel, transmission and other filters extend car life and improve performance.
   
   
5. Worn spark plugs: Worn plugs waste gas and increase exhaust emissions. They also cause the engine to run poorly.
   
   
6. Corroded battery cables: Corroded cables and a weak battery cause starting trouble. Have battery and charging system checked if the engine turns over slowly.
   
   
7. Glazed belts, Rotten Hoses: A slipping belt can affect engine cooling, alternator, power steering, and air conditioner. Replace worn belts before they let you down brittle or rotten cooling system hoses can lead to overheating. Others, such as vacuum and power steering hoses, hinder performance and safety.
   
   
8. Neglected Cooling System: Periodic servicing of the cooling system helps prevent deterioration of radiator or heater core.
   
   
9. Leaking Shock Absorbers: Worn shocks or struts affect ride control and shorten tire life.
   
   
10. Damaged CV Joint Boots: These rubber boots protect the critical CV joints that deliver power to your wheels. They should be inspected regularly and replaced as needed.
    
    
11. Leaking Muffler: Have your car put on a lift occasionally to check the muffler and other parts of the exhaust system.
    
    
12. Tired Tires: Worn tires are dangerous. Proper inflation, alignment and balance will extend tire life.

Cooling

There are several things considered critical in your vehicle's maintenance. And since the engine is the heart of your vehicle and directly affects its operation, here is what you can do to ensure proper engine life and performance. A vehicle's cooling system should be serviced seasonally to prevent premature engine wear due to extreme climate or engine temperature.

Let us perform a few basic preventive maintenance checks during your next routine servicing:

1. Check for external leaks. Usual areas of leakage are water manifolds, radiator seams, water pumps, freeze plugs and all hose connections. The condition of radiator hoses should be carefully scrutinized for possible deterioration from age and/or wear from rubbing against accessory brackets, etc. Be aware that in many cases radiator hoses wear from the inside out, so outside appearance can be deceiving.
   
   
2. Check for internal leaks. Pull the oil dipstick and check for evidence of coolant. It will show up as minute droplets or sludge and should be easy to spot. This could indicate a cracked head, block or blown head gasket.
   
   
3. Check the radiator. This is the one component in your vehicle's cooling system which can quickly diminish the efficiency and durability of the engine. Check for obstructed air flow and clean any debris from the fins. Also check the radiator mounting for loose bolts or cracked brackets from vibration and stress.
   
   
4. Check the cooling fan. If the vehicle is equipped with a centrifugal thermo-static type fan clutch, it is important to spot problems before they occur. Check for wear by moving the fan blade back and forth. Over 1/4" of play in either direction could point towards excessive bearing wear. You should also turn the fan by hand. If it free-wheels or there is a rough grating feel as the fan turns, this could mean excessive fluid loss or bearing wear respectively. If any of these conditions exist or there is evidence of fluid leakage, the fan clutch should be replaced. If the vehicle is equipped with an electric cooling fan, a quick performance check can be made by turning on the A/C and checking to make sure it operates without excess vibration or noise. Also check all electrical connections for signs of corrosion, or physical damage. With the engine hot, check to see if the fan is coming on at the correct temperature and operating properly.
   
   
5. Check the coolant level and conditions. As a general rule the coolant level should be 1" to 2" below the radiator filler neck when cool. Use an antifreeze tester to determine the protection range of the coolant. It should be at least adequate for the geographic area where you live. If the coolant is over two years old or has rust in it, system flushing and refilling with new antifreeze solution is recommended and will be sufficient for most climates. The two year replacement interval is necessary to maintain proper rust inhibitor and other additive protection in the cooling system.
   
   
6. Check the radiator cap. If your cap is rusted or the rubber seal is dried out, it should be replaced. A pressure tester should be used to be sure the cap is operating at the recommended pressure level.
   
   
7. Check the thermostat. Remove the radiator cap and start the engine. Insert a suitable thermometer into the radiator neck. When the coolant level drops in the radiator, the thermostat has opened and is allowing circulation. Record the temperature on the thermometer and compare to the thermostat specifications. It should be no more than a few degrees either way of the actual thermostat setting. If you are not in the correct range, the thermostat will have to be replaced. Be sure to install a new gasket and inspect the thermostat seating area for corrosion and pitting.
   
   
8. Check drive belts. Visually inspect all belts for glazing or deterioration. These conditions usually are caused by wear but can be accelerated by improper adjustment, engine fluid spillage, lubricant leakage or improper belt sizing. Check the vehicle manufacturer's specification listing for proper belt size, tension and/or deflection specifications.
   
   
9. Check heater operation. A quick functional testing of the heater unit can save a lot of mid-season grief. Visually inspect all hoses for deterioration from age and wear. Also make sure hoses are not taut. This situation can cause leaks at the heater core. Check the floor under the heater assembly for signs of coolant loss. This could point towards a leaking heater core. Also make sure to check the heater valve. Check vacuum lines for leakage or deterioration. Lubricate all control cables, such as the heater valve control cable, etc. Last but not least, check all function switches and blower motor switches for proper operation. Having basic cooling system checks made during routine servicing can prevent costly breakdowns and inefficient operation of equipment during extreme climate conditions. Preventive maintenance is the key to being able to drive your car longer while reducing long term expenses.