NEW CAR MAINTENANCE TIPS

New car maintenance tips Once you've finally made your new or used car purchase, you are going to want to maintain it well. New car owners will probably go to the dealer for service, but that is not mandatory.
Washing your used gem is an essential part of use car maintenance that can help maintain your used car value! Pick a soap that is designed to clean today's car finishes. Your car will look great, and your paint job will last a lot longer! You can find car wash detergent at any department store.
Air Filters
The air filter removes harmful particles from the air before they enter your engine. Check your air filter at every other oil change. If it looks dirty, replace it. And even if it doesn't look dirty, you should replace the air filter every 15,000 miles or so

Brake Fluid
These symptoms can also be caused by air bubbles in the brake lines or overheated, foaming brake fluid. If you can't remember when you last had your car's brake fluid changed, have it done soon.

Spotting Trouble

The Federal Trade Commission's publication "Taking the Scare Out of Auto Repair" is a 15-page booklet that is loaded with tips on car maintenance to keep your car running smoothly, how to spot trouble, choose a repair shop, and work with your mechanic.

Washing Your Car

If washing a vehicle by hand, use up and down motions rather than circular motions to avoid unsightly swirl marks. Also, remember to clean your sponge in a clean bucket of rinse water often to remove dirt and debris that may scratch your car's finish.

Fuel Injectors
While you certainly can put additives in your gas to clean the injectors, it is important to have your mechanic clean your new or used car fuel injector every 20,000 to 30,000 miles or so (we're not all car maintenace pros so don't feel like this is something you should do on your own). Depending on how clogged your fuel injector is, doing so will improve your fuel efficiency, sometimes dramatically.

Coolant Levels

It is also a good idea to have your radiator flushed every year or so along with your other car maintenance work.

Windshield Wiper Blades

Windshield wiper blades are inexpensive and provide a key line of defense when it comes to your safety on the road. Top off your windshield wiper fluid reservoir often (especially in foul weather months).
*If you live in cold-weather climates, make sure your wiper fluid has anti-freeze in it during the winter months to prevent it from freezing to your windshield.

Tune-ups

point ignitions and leaded gas are a thing of the past. Tune-ups on today's new cars are only necessary every 50,000 miles or so and involve replacing the spark plugs, wire set, possibly the fuel filter, the air filter, and hooking the car up to an engine diagnostic system to diagnose problems before they become critical.

Fuel Filters
Today's fuel filter keeps debris and other deposits from entering your engine. A clogged fuel filter can result in reduced engine performance and fuel efficiency, and will ultimately lead to more serious problems. If you have an older car, change the fuel filter every year. Fuel tanks corrode and debris accumulates inside over the years, this can clog the fuel filter much faster than on newer cars

Do-It-Yourself Preventive Maintenance
If you don't have access to a computer, you can order a print version for $1.00.

Understanding Octane

There are many different brands of wax, but most come in two forms: liquid or paste. Both tyes are effective,however, make sure you follow the manufacturer's directions closely. A mistake with wax is often hard to hide.New car maintenance tips