From airplane pilots to DIY aficionados, preparations are taken before starting out or beginning a project. The same dedication should be employed with your vehicle.
Randy Emry, a former co-worker and accomplished service manager, is a supporter of checking different systems at least once a month. “The secret to avoiding costly auto repairs,” Emry states, “is to spend a few minutes a couple of times a month checking out your car.”
Below is a list of some easy-to- perform inspections.
Tire inspection
Your tires are all that stand between the wheels and the road. Not all tires are the same. Just like the cars they are on, style, quality and performance may come at a premium. In a past column, I dealt with choosing the right tire based on questions like “How many miles would you like to get out of a set of tires?” or “Are you looking for a tire to get another 20,000 miles out of the car before it is sold?”
When you start your vehicle, and before you start out, turn the front tires all the way to the left or right. Turn off the ignition and go look at the tires. As the front tires carry most of the weight of the engine, the tread should be even across the entire face of the tire. If there is uneven or little tread remaining, go to your local repair/tire shop to get their expert opinion. Uneven wear can be related to alignment wear, which left unchecked, will cause accelerated tire wear. Have your expert check the air pressure at the same time, as low air pressure will rob you of precious miles, both in tire wear and fuel cost.
Dash lights
After you have started the vehicle, a series of dash lights will perform computerized self-tests, and the lights turn off as tests are completed. If a light remains on, it can determine anything from low windshield washer fluid, low (or over-inflated) tires, to a “check engine” light concern. “Check engine” lights should never be ignored, and a visit to your local repair shop for a diagnostic of the system is a must. A “check engine” light not serviced may turn into a very costly repair, and if a smog check is required, it will not pass without the “check engine” light being addressed. Remember, be prepared.
Headlights and bulbs
As I drive, I am amazed at the number of cars, SUVs and trucks that have yellowed, cloudy, headlight lenses. This pheromone is a result of the deterioration of the manufacturer-installed lens protectant, over a highly porous poly-carbonate (plastic) lens. The protectant is bombarded by road dirt and chemicals, which are “baked” onto the surface, causing a yellowed, cloudy buildup. Over my career, I have experimented with many products and found the best ones include removing the dirt from the lenses using fine sandpaper, then a high-speed polishing of the lens, and the addition of a protectant layer. This is a specialty service, and not all shops get this right. And a cloudy headlight lens may reduce the efficiency of your nighttime or daytime lights by 50 percent or more. In extreme cases, a ticket can be issued for “deliberately” concealing your headlights.
Exterior and interior lights should be inspected periodically. This can be done by you, however it is easier with a friend. Turn the vehicle on, and go through a process of turning on and off the headlights (high beams too), turn signals, brake and (using the brakes) reverse lights. Some vehicles come with a dash prompt to indicate burnt-out bulbs, but many do not. Some people are aware their low-beam headlights are out, so they turn on the high beams instead of replacing the burnt out bulbs. Some people.
Oil changes
Hopefully, your repair shop placed a sticker on the inside upper portion of the windshield. Look at the mileage and schedule the appropriate appointment to have the oil changed on time. Weak, old oil contributes to engine overheating and wear. Replacing an engine is never cheap, with oil changes and subsequent inspection being a cost-effective alternative.
Find and dust off your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Read a few pages at a time and become aware of topics like resetting the clock, what specific dash light means and scheduled, preventative maintenance. Most vehicles today are capable of running for 300,000 miles or more with proper maintenance. Can’t find a manual? There are a number of websites that allow free downloads of original owner’s manuals.
Ask questions
When working in the automotive repair industry, Randy Emry and I thought every question was important. Maintaining and getting the most out of any vehicle is not rocket science; however, with some planning, running a periodic check list and being informed, you are in better shape to get extra years and miles from (as one recent commercial so aptly conveys) your baby.
I am here to help, so please send your questions, comments and anecdotes to mark.fttu@yahoo.com . I may use them in an upcoming column. Again, thank you for reading “From The Tires Up,” and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
