A pro’s opinion

1. OIL CHANGE: Engine oil coats the moving parts of your engine to reduce friction and it collects dirt that enters the engine mostly from air intake. After time, the oil becomes thinner as additives break down and become ineffective. Dirt collected in oil begins to stick to the moving parts and gets pushed into crevices creating sludge in the engine. This build up causes the engine to work harder to move its parts while creating insulation that does not allow your engine to cool effectively. This greatly adds to premature engine failure. Check all fluid levels with every oil change (power steering, brake fluid, coolant, etc.) Be sure to check the owner’s manual before adding any parts or fluid and use what is recommended.

2. TUNE UPS: Today’s cars do not need new plugs, points and rotors as often as in the past. Modern vehicles with today’s better parts need only have spark plugs changed about every 100,000 miles. They should be inspected more often to ensure that all is running well. Personally, I inspect my vehicles every other oil change for fouled plugs, build up on the cap or rotor (points are no longer used). I also use this inspection time to check the plug wires, air filter, PVC valve and breather and the cabin filters and replace as needed (always replace with parts recommended by the manufacturer)..

3. WASH AND WAX: A dirty car will create wind resistance and use more fuel. A good wax coating will not only keep your paint looking new longer it also causes less wind resistance and better fuel economy. Washing your vehicle yourself is not only good exercise but allows you to take a good look at your investment: tire wear, loose molding or mirrors, missing parts , cracked light covers or split wiper blades.

This is also a good time to check the engine compartment: the engine should be clean (dirt insulates and the engine will run hotter), worn belts or hoses?, loose cables?, leaks? Look under your car regularly for oil or coolant leaks.

4. LISTEN FOR NOISES. Sometimes you have to turn the radio down. Strange and different noises can mean that a part is about to fail. Listen for where the noise is coming from. A squealing belt could be a worn belt, a bad pulley or other worn parts-all could mean sitting on the of the side of the road. Noises are warnings. Most things are more convenient and cheaper to fix at the first warning (a noise) than after you are waiting for the tow truck.