|
Q: How often should i check my Oil?
A: That's variable. some car manufacturers ask for oil changes at 5,000, and some at 3,000. Which one is right? That depends on how you drive, what you drive, and what climate you drive in, along with type and brand of oil, and even the brand and type of oil filter can change this number. In general, if you use the type of oil recommended, then the recommedation from your car's maker is fine. If you drive in high heat, or in a dusty climate, or for long intervals at a time, then you might want to change it a bit early. a good thing to check is the feel of the oil, if it's gritty, or excessively thin, it needs to be changed. (note, the oil turns black not due to breakdown, but due to the acids in the metal of the engine, so your oil's color is not much of an indication of oil condition.)
Q: How often should i change the coolant in my engine?
A: Most dealers recommend coolant changes each 6 months, at the onset of winter, and the onset of summer. The reasoning behind this is solid. During the winter, a 50/50 mix is truly the best mixture for most climates, and during the summer, a 30coolant/70water is fine. mainly, there is one reason to change it. as the coolant ages, the alcohol evaporates out of it, and during this process, the ph balance changes, resulting in a solvent that will eat away at the soft metals in the engine. A zinc electrode in the radiator cap will help prevent this, allowing 12 month coolant life, and virtually no erosion of the engines' parts. (note, if you use pure water, there is nothing to inhibit the formation of rust, and the rust particles in the water will also lead to erosion of engine components.)
Q: How often should i change my brake fluid?
A: This is also variable. Alot of the mechanics i consulted on this subject had the same opinion; "every two years" While this is usually more than often enough, if you live in a climate where it is often extremely cold, the condensation forming on the inside of the metal fluid lines can be more of a problem than normal, requiring changing it more often. also, anytime brake work is done, this is a great time to flush this fluid.
Q: Does it actually help to change the transmission fluid?
A: Brace yourself. There is usually very little effect from changing the transmission fluid more than once each 5 years. in reality, many cars reach the 200,000 mile mark on their original transmission fluid, and have no problems from it. If your car sits alot, there may be a problem with rust formation, but a fluid/filter change is not going to do much about this. Also, alot of people take their car to the dealer, and they are shown the color of their transmission fluid, and told it needs to be changed. However, like with oil, the color is virtually no indication of fluid condition, and instead, one should check the odor of the fluid, looking for a "scorched" smell.
Q: What does it mean when my oil has water bubbles in it, or looks like mayonaise?
A: this is usually caused by water in the oil. this is almost always due to a blown head gasket, which requires fairly serious repairs. This can also be a cracked engine block, but that is far less common.
Q: What does it mean when my coolant looks oily?
A: This is also usually a sign of a blown head gasket, or possibly a cracked block.
Q: How important is the tire pressure?
A: The tire pressure is very important, as it affects tire life, vehicle fuel milage, and performance/safety. Low tires will feel "slushy" and will lack proper grip on the road, while over inflated tires will feel too solid, and will also cause poor traction, and control. most vehicles have the recommended tire pressure on a tag, usually in the driver's doorjamb, you can also ask a tire retailer.
Q: How often should i change my fuel filter?
A: The fuel filter basically has a life of 4 years, and many things can make that life shorter. An older car, with alot of residue in the tank, is going to need the filter changed more often, as crud falls loose into the fuel and clogs the filter. Also, rough roads can sometimes cause an excessive amount of crud in the filter. Even in the best situation, i would suggest changing the filter as part of your yearly maintainance, just to make sure it is never a problem. (and seeing how it's a 5-10$ part.)
Q: What do i do about water in my gas?
A: That's debateable, there is literally hundreds of fuel addatives on the market that will "dry" the water out. in reality, almost all of these contain alcohol. The reason for the alcohol, is that it can bond with water, and still mix more or less evenly with the fuel, making it come out as a smooth mixture, rather than water bubbles. the older mechanics that i asked, didn't mention any of these additives, they instead all mentioned alcohol. For the simplicity of it, i myself simply buy one or two of the 49 cent bottles of rubbing alcohol at the local pharmacy, and pour those in. i must however note, this is not high quality alcohol, and you do not want to put more than one or two pints into a tank of fuel.
Q: How do i check my battery?
A: Here is what i was always told by my father. A battery in a car is based on acid, therefore, what needs to be measured is the "specific gravity" of this acid. You can buy a 5-10$ tester for this, that resembles an eyedropper with colored beads in it. simply open the top of the battery vent, and take a sample, and gently flick the tester to clear our any air bubbles, and use the provided chart to tell gravity.
Q: How often should i change my air filter?
A: The importance of changing this filter is underrated. If your filter is clogged, your engine is working hard just to get the air it needs, resulting in a loss of power. Change this filter at least once a year, but even more often is usually needed. One simple test, is to see if light shines through it. hold it up to the sun, and if you can't see light through it, your engine isn't breathing well through it.
|
|