Vehicle Maintenance

marypiercee · 10-18-2006, 01:36 PM

Vehicle Maintenance:

Basic vehicle maintenance is an ongoing process. The secret to making it "easy" and keeping a vehicle "looking great" involves two components. First, maintaining regular vehicle involvement and second, only doing a little at a time.

Each week throughout the year (in addition to the maintenance suggested above) take about 10-15 minutes to focus on a small aspect of the vehicle (i.e., wash the windows-week one, vacuum the carpet-week two, Armor All the dash and the door panels-week three, etc.). After about three months, one of the "small jobs" will need to be repeated. However, the vehicle will never be in rough shape. Doing a "small but thorough" job on one specific aspect of the vehicle each week, requires very little time or energy. Having a vehicle that continually "looks great" makes it worthwhile.

The tips provided above are the most basic maintenance requirements that will help your vehicle to run longer. Be certain to reference the vehicle owner's manual for any additional maintenance required on your vehicle.

Basic vehicle maintenance involves a minimal investment of time and money, but it will provide major benefits in vehicle performance and lower repair costs. Additionally, your vehicle will be in better condition when it becomes time to sell.

Check the Anti-freeze:
Prior to winter, have a service station attendant check the antifreeze in the clear plastic coolant bottle with a hydrometer (a device that takes a sample of antifreeze and specifies how cold the temperature can become before the antifreeze freezes). The antifreeze should be able to withstand (i.e., not freeze) temperatures of at least 30 degrees "below the coldest" winter temperature. If the antifreeze is too weak, have additional antifreeze added to the coolant bottle.

Purchase the type of antifreeze as specified in the vehicle owner's manual (i.e., usually a type that is suitable for "aluminum and all types of metals" that are used today's engines). It important to avoid frozen antifreeze because it can crack an engine's block which could result in possibly thousands of dollars for the repair.

Air Filter:
If you drive about 6,000 miles or less per year, have the engine air filter changed once every two years. If you drive over 10,000 miles per year, have the engine air filter changed once a year in the spring. Many discount stores regularly have sales on air filters.

Washing and Cleaning:
In the spring and in the fall give the vehicle a thorough wash, tar removal, and wax. When washing the vehicle in-between the seasonal waxes, use a car wash product that is safe for clear coat and waxed finishes.

Mister2.2 · 10-18-2006, 01:48 PM

Do NOT do what the guy in that last pictures is doing! LOL! Also don't use Armorall, it's crap, use Meguiars Vinyl & Rubber cleaner.

TheAmazingDave · 10-25-2006, 01:13 AM

Good tips guys!

PHOENIX · 10-25-2006, 02:00 AM

did you write this or did you get this from somewhere else?

Just curious

Mista 2 · 12-01-2006, 04:43 AM

lol you could do that or like me you could have to wash it every weekend as it is white and i live near a lot of dust. that is on top of cleaning the inside every other weekend and doing a bit of engine work ( i hate second hand cars that havent been touched in what looks like years). mothers is another good brand for car products and as for a wax go for turtlewax colour cure, it will hide most scratches.

10-18-2006, 01:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
marypiercee No Skills Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Vehicle Maintenance Vehicle Maintenance: Basic vehicle maintenance is an ongoing process. The secret to making it "easy" and keeping a vehicle "looking great" involves two components. First, maintaining regular vehicle involvement and second, only doing a little at a time. Each week throughout the year (in addition to the maintenance suggested above) take about 10-15 minutes to focus on a small aspect of the vehicle (i.e., wash the windows-week one, vacuum the carpet-week two, Armor All the dash and the door panels-week three, etc.). After about three months, one of the "small jobs" will need to be repeated. However, the vehicle will never be in rough shape. Doing a "small but thorough" job on one specific aspect of the vehicle each week, requires very little time or energy. Having a vehicle that continually "looks great" makes it worthwhile. The tips provided above are the most basic maintenance requirements that will help your vehicle to run longer. Be certain to reference the vehicle owner's manual for any additional maintenance required on your vehicle. Basic vehicle maintenance involves a minimal investment of time and money, but it will provide major benefits in vehicle performance and lower repair costs. Additionally, your vehicle will be in better condition when it becomes time to sell. Check the Anti-freeze: Prior to winter, have a service station attendant check the antifreeze in the clear plastic coolant bottle with a hydrometer (a device that takes a sample of antifreeze and specifies how cold the temperature can become before the antifreeze freezes). The antifreeze should be able to withstand (i.e., not freeze) temperatures of at least 30 degrees "below the coldest" winter temperature. If the antifreeze is too weak, have additional antifreeze added to the coolant bottle. Purchase the type of antifreeze as specified in the vehicle owner's manual (i.e., usually a type that is suitable for "aluminum and all types of metals" that are used today's engines). It important to avoid frozen antifreeze because it can crack an engine's block which could result in possibly thousands of dollars for the repair. Air Filter: If you drive about 6,000 miles or less per year, have the engine air filter changed once every two years. If you drive over 10,000 miles per year, have the engine air filter changed once a year in the spring. Many discount stores regularly have sales on air filters. Washing and Cleaning: In the spring and in the fall give the vehicle a thorough wash, tar removal, and wax. When washing the vehicle in-between the seasonal waxes, use a car wash product that is safe for clear coat and waxed finishes.

10-18-2006, 01:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mister2.2 Cheese it! Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,561 Thanks: 121 Thanked 115 Times in 99 Posts Blog Entries: 1 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	Do NOT do what the guy in that last pictures is doing! LOL! Also don't use Armorall, it's crap, use Meguiars Vinyl & Rubber cleaner. __________________ --Josh MR2Trader.com Free to Buy and Sell your MR2 Parts!

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10-25-2006, 01:13 AM	#3 (permalink)
TheAmazingDave Cage Fighter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,112 Thanks: 13 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Good tips guys!

10-25-2006, 02:00 AM	#4 (permalink)
PHOENIX Beams Owners Group Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: On Hiatus....... Posts: 9,266 Thanks: 92 Thanked 292 Times in 224 Posts Blog Entries: 1 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (49/100% )	did you write this or did you get this from somewhere else? Just curious

12-01-2006, 04:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
Mista 2 Cage Fighter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 463 Thanks: 16 Thanked 21 Times in 21 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	lol you could do that or like me you could have to wash it every weekend as it is white and i live near a lot of dust. that is on top of cleaning the inside every other weekend and doing a bit of engine work ( i hate second hand cars that havent been touched in what looks like years). mothers is another good brand for car products and as for a wax go for turtlewax colour cure, it will hide most scratches.