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VEHICLE MAINTENANCE TIPS

Keep your vehicle's engine tuned up and running as efficiently as possible.

Your vehicle's overall performance and eventual resale value greatly depends on how well the engine and accessories of your vehicle are maintained.  A well maintained vehicle is more reliable, saves money on fuel consumption and long term maintenance costs, and also minimizes harmful exhaust emissions.  To keep your vehicle running efficiently and smoothly, the we recommend the following:
 

 

 

ñ Read your owner's manual and follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance guidelines and schedules.  Virtually all of your vehicle's mechanical systems can affect fuel efficiency if not properly maintained. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for checking the engine, cooling and ignition system, brakes, drive-train and emission-control system.

ñ It is usually best and safer for you if trained automotive professionals service your vehicle. They have the knowledge and tools to diagnose and correct problems. Often they can identify problem areas before your vehicle breaks down and leaves you stranded.

ñ Replace the air filter as recommended in your owner's manual.  Clogged air filters lower engine performance and increase vehicle emissions.

ñ Changing the engine oil and filters regularly and according to the vehicle manufacturers recommendations is the best way to keep your vehicle in top operating condition - better engine performance, more efficient fuel consumption and protect your engine from damage. Oil lubricates the moving parts of the engine, preventing metal-to-metal contact, minimizing friction and carrying away excess heat as well as removing dirt, metal shavings and other contaminants from the engine.  These impurities are captured in the oil filter.

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Do not ignore your vehicle between these regularly scheduled maintenance checks.  Pay attention to your vehicle before it breaks down and leaves you stranded.  The following items require regular attention. 

ñ Monitoring the coolant and fluid levels for brakes, transmission, and power steering.  Check the coolant overflow tank.  Coolant degrades over time, and it's important to change it as specified by the manufacturer. Antifreeze concentration should also be tested every fall so that the engine will be adequately protected for the winter.

ñ Regularly inspect hoses and wires for cracks, check for loose clamps, and check for loose or worn belts, 

ñ Check around the car and under the engine for fluid leaks. You can often identify the type of fluid that is leaking by its colour. Oil is black, coolant is a bright greenish yellow, automatic transmission fluid is pink, and power steering and brake fluids are clear, with a slight brown tinge. All of these fluids are oily to the touch.

Regular tire and wheel alignment inspections are crucial.  To reduce tire wear and support optimal fuel efficiency, have your wheels aligned and keep tires properly inflated. Proper wheel alignment reduces rolling inefficiencies as well as tire wear. Tires must be kept at the right pressure and rotated regularly. If tires are under-inflated, fuel consumption can increase significantly.

ñ Measure tire pressure every month when the tires are cold.  Your tires need special attention during winter. Cold temperatures decrease the air pressure in tires, which adds to the rolling resistance caused by snow and slush. Measure tire pressure especially after a sharp drop in temperature.  Don't forget to measure the pressure of the spare tire.  Recommended pressure for the front and rear tires is specified on a plate or sticker attached to the edge of the driver's door, the door post, the glove compartment or the fuel tank door (the pressure marked on the tire itself is the maximum pressure and is not likely to be the same as the manufacturer's recommended pressure.

ñ Check for uneven wear, which can be an indication of chronic under-inflation or over-inflation, improper wheel alignment or tire balancing, or a problem with the suspension system.

ñ Check for imbedded stones, glass or other foreign objects that could work into the tread and cause a leak.

ñ Wheel alignment should be checked once a year. Misaligned tires will drag instead of rolling freely and thus cause problems with the vehicle's handling and ride as well as reduce fuel efficiency.

ñ Wheels should also be balanced.  A pounding or shaking through the steering wheel will shorten the life of other suspension components and will produce uneven tire wear, which will increase fuel consumption. Tires that are not balanced exhibit  a wear pattern that looks like a series of bald spots.

Brakes are a significant safety feature and need your constant attention.  On a straight, flat and traffic-free stretch of road, rest your hands lightly on the steering wheel and apply the brakes gradually.  If the vehicle swerves to one side, one of the brake linings may be worn more than the other, or the brakes may need adjustment. Other warning signs that your brakes need servicing include squealing and grinding noises, losing braking effectiveness, or a pulsating brake pedal.  If you experience any of these signals have your brakes checked immediately and repair, adjust or replace whatever is required.

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