The ABCs of Car Care for New Drivers
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Ask the Tech
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he Car Care Council has compiled a list of questions to ask your technician before you have your maintenance performed. The questions cover: Oils, Filters and Fluids Belts and Hoses Brake Service TuneUp Wheel Alignment Tire Service Check Engine Light Air Conditioning Service Appearance
Oils, Filters and Fluids
What fluids will you check? Is the oil you’re putting in my car the right type for the way I drive? Is an oil filter change included with this service? When should I get my next oil change? What fluid should I change next? How often should my fluid level be checked? Will my car’s instrument panel alert me if fluids are low?
Belts and Hoses What’s the difference between a V-belt and a serpentine belt? Why does my aftermarket V-belt have notches? What are branched hoses and why might these be better for my vehicle? What is electrolytic corrosion and how did it get in my cooling system?
Brake Service Is there anything I can do to help the brakes on my car last longer? How does the work being performed eliminate the symptoms my car exhibited or my complaint? Are there any related services my car needs while this service is being performed? What does the brake warning light mean on my car’s dashboard?
Tune-Up How often does my car need a tune-up? Are there other services that need to be performed at this time? How does this work address my complaint? If the “Check Engine” or “Service Engine Soon” light comes on, is it the same as saying it’s time for a tune-up?
Wheel Alignment Is this a four-wheel alignment? How did the improper settings relate to the symptoms my car
exhibited…Poor tire wear, wandering, etc.? Are there other problems related to alignment such as worn steering and suspension parts? Has my car been road-tested to ensure that it performs properly and that my complaint has been corrected?
Tire Service
What type of tires should go on my vehicle based on my driving? What can happen if I install a set of tires having a size not recommended for my car? My car shakes at certain speeds…What causes this? Can my driving habits affect tire life? Do they have to be replaced in pairs?
Check Engine Light Does the light mean my car needs a tune-up? When checking out the cause of the light, are there any other services that need to be performed at the same time? Is it normal for the light to come on briefly when I start my car? What happens if I just ignore the light? Will the light eventually turn off by itself? Will my car pass an emissions test if the light is on?
Air Conditioning Service What happens if I continue to use my car’s A/C system, even though it’s not cooling properly? Water drips underneath my car when I use the A/C system. Is this normal? A musty odor comes out of the A/C vents at times. Can anything be done about this? My car’s A/C system seems to cool intermittently and I hear a clicking on and off from underneath the hood. What does this mean? I have an older car that still uses R-12 or Freon refrigerant. Does it make sense to switch it over to R-134a?
t’s never too early to learn the ABCs of car care, says the Car Care Council. A – Always follow a preventative vehicle maintenance plan. B – Be sure to have your car inspected when you suspect there is a problem. C – Correct the problem to help avoid the inconvenience and potential safety hazards of breaking down away from home. “Most young people can’t wait to drive, but their car care education should begin well before their parents hand over the keys,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Understanding the basics of car care before taking the wheel will help keep new drivers safer on the road.” The Car Care Council recommends that new drivers keep a free copy of its popular Car Care Guide in the glove box and learn about 10 car care inspection procedures that are an important part of any preventative vehicle maintenance plan: Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant. Check the hoses and belts to make sure they are not cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or showing signs of excessive wear. Check the battery and replace if necessary. Make sure the connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free. Check the brake system annually and have the brake linings, rotors and drums inspected at each oil change.
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Inspect the exhaust system for leaks, damage and broken supports or hangers if there is an unusual noise. Exhaust leaks can be dangerous and must be corrected without delay. Schedule a tune-up to help the engine deliver the best balance of power and fuel economy and produce the lowest level of emissions. Check the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system as proper heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and for safety reasons such as defrosting. Inspect the steering and suspension system annually including shock absorbers, struts and chassis parts such as ball joints, tie rod ends and other
related components. Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots. Check the wipers and lighting so that you can see and be seen. Check that all interior and exterior lighting is working properly and replace worn wiper blades so you can see clearly when driving during precipitation. To request a free copy of the Car Care Council’s 60-page Car Care Guide or to view the electronic version in English or Spanish, visit www.carcare.org/ car-care-guide. source: Car Care Council
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source: Car Care Council
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