Vehicle Maintenance 101

Hello, Readers!

We have already discussed: 1) how to select the right parts store for you (think quality!); 2) how to have a successful phone (or in-person) conversation regarding needed items; and 3) CORE charges and sales tax (this is mentioned on its own page for this blog). Since we have all of that established, now seems to be the right time for a 'car maintenance primer'.

There are two important books I recommend you obtain for your vehicle. The first book is the owner's manual for your vehicle. [Yes, I do realize that I have already mentioned (briefly) the importance of owner's manuals in a previous post. But, it is a rather vital source of intelligence for the vehicle you own and operate, so this point bears repeating.] When any automobile is sold new at the dealership, it comes with the owner's manual that the manufacturer provided. Any decent used (or 'previously-owned') dealership will likewise make sure that the auto you purchase from them has it's handy-dandy instruction manual.

The owner's manual is chock full of information you need to know in order to be an informed owner. If you haven't taken the opportunity to read through one before, give it a shot now. You are probably familiar with the adage 'a picture is worth a thousand words'. So, given the relatively small size of the book, it should be no major surprise that it includes a lot of pictures and sketches for reference purposes. That also makes it easier for you literally to see what is being discussed, where it is located and why it is important.

For those not familiar with them, here is a highlighted list of key information in the owner's manual:
1. Table of Contents and/or Index (handy for finding exactly what you seek).
2. Warning Lights (on the dash or 'instrument cluster') and what they mean when lit.
3. Under the Hood - most of the 'more common stuff' should be identified in a sketch or digital photo. For example: air filter housing, oil dipstick, transmission dipstick (if not a 'stick shift' and not a 'sealed system' from the factory), oil filler cap, radiator cap/coolant reservoir (tank), washer fluid tank, battery (or battery jump-start posts, if mounted elsewhere).
4. Fuse panels - there are usually two, sometimes three. You will have at least one 'Main Fuse Panel' (in your Under the Hood section) which uses really big fuses called 'MAXI'. You will also have a 'secondary' fuse panel somewhere in your dash in the auto. Your manual will tell you where to find it, what kind of fuse it takes and what amperage rating for each function (there's a soup of 3 letters with a 1 or 2 digit number to describe these).
5. Fluids - Verify with your manual before adding any fluid besides washer solvent. These days, autos are very picky about the fluids they require. Coolant/antifreeze, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, motor oil, brake fluid, differential/gear oil are all becoming very manufacturer-specific. Your manual *may* also mention total capacity on some of these fluids, but that is not guaranteed.
6. Bulbs - If you experience a burnt-out light bulb (headlight, dome light, tail light, license plate light, etc), most owner's manuals are very good about having a chart with the bulb numbers required for all the common positions.

NOTE: If your auto did not come with its owner's manual - or if yours has become lost over time - there is hope for you! Option #1: You can go to the parts department of the dealership that sells your brand of auto to purchase one (it will probably be a special order deal, especially if your auto is 'mature in age'). Option #2: You can order the manual yourself directly from Helm, Inc. via their website, www.helminc.com. [No, I am not linked with Helm, Inc. in any way. I only remember using them previously to order manuals for work purposes.]

The other book I want you to get, is a repair manual covering your auto's make, model and year. Chilton does a really good job with their books, so I highly recommend them. You could also check the internet for various online repair manuals offered by any number of companies (including Chilton), if that is more your thing. However, I find the professionally-printed-and-bound format of a book to be more handy for reference purposes once the repair task is underway. Not all makes are currently covered by repair manuals - the increasingly popular brand Kia comes to mind as an example - so some autos may require more research than others.

Why should you bother with the repair manual? Well, as handy as the owner's manual is, it stops short of telling you the play-by-play process of actually repairing your vehicle. Basically, the owner's guide may tell you that your 1998 Ford Taurus uses a 3157K bulb in the tail light position; it does *not* tell you the secret handshake to accessing the old bulb for replacement. The repair manual fills this void of information.

Even if you never intend 'to play mechanic' with your auto beyond the simple stuff (bulbs, wipers, air filter - maybe), I bet you also do not intend to pay more for repairs at a shop than you really need to pay. Knowledge is power, right? Well, without wisdom and discipline, that power goes to waste. You can 'know' that your brakes are noisy, in need of service. BUT, if you don't get the wisdom (from the Chilton's, or whatever book you choose) you need of which symptoms mean what, the time and procedures involved in the total repair, you can't make an informed decision on what quoted work to authorize for completion. AND you must have the discipline to keep your facts at your fingertips - knowing how many labor hours are typical for a given job, for example - to be able to stand your ground when you suspect something is 'off' about the repair's estimate.

By all means, get your hands on both of these books for the automobiles in your life. Get acquainted with these books, because you just might be surprised how much you really *do* know (or just plain figure out) about fixing your vehicle. :-)

I'll be back, again, soon!