subject: Vehicle Safety Maintenance Tips [print this page] Car maintenance made easy with simple tipsCar maintenance made easy with simple tips.
No matter how well you drive, you are not safe unless your vehicle is in good condition. You keep your vehicle in good condition by having the vehicle properly maintained. If it is not, your car could fail you at a critical moment, and you could be in a serious crash. Read your automobile owners manual carefully to become familiar with your vehicles maintenance schedule and requirements. Maintenance regimes vary widely from one vehicle to another.
What parts of the vehicle should be maintained properly?
Virtually all of your vehicles mechanical systems can affect fuel efficiency if not properly maintained. Follow the manufacturers recommendations for checking the engine, cooling and ignition system, brakes, drive train and emission-control system. You should consider your vehicle from front to back, bottom to top.
Lights
Make sure that all of your lights work and that your light lenses are clean. Check headlights, taillights, directional signals, and interior lights.
Mirrors
All vehicles should be equipped with one rearview mirror mounted inside the vehicle that allows a view to the rear of at least 200 feet. A rearview mirror should also be placed on each side of the vehicle mounted on the outside of the vehicles front doorframes. Make sure that your mirrors are clean and pointed in the correct direction. The mirrors are designed to assist drivers in keeping track of traffic around their vehicles.
Tires
Tires are designed to grip the road and give the driver directional control. Bald, excessively worn, or improperly inflated tires decrease the ability of the driver to control the vehicle. Rotating your tires helps prolong their life and improve fuel economy. On most vehicles, tires should be rotated about twice a year; however, you should consult your owners manual for the recommended rotation pattern and frequency for your vehicle.
Wheel alignment should be checked once a year. Misaligned tires will drag and will not roll freely as they are intended to do. This will increase fuel consumption, reduce tire life, and cause problems with the vehicle's handling and ride. While driving, you can perform a self-check on your wheel alignment. On a straight, flat and traffic-free stretch of road, rest your hands lightly on the steering wheel and drive at an even speed. If the vehicle pulls to one side, the wheels may be misaligned.
Wheels should also be balanced. If they are out of balance, the driver will feel a pounding or shaking through the steering wheel.
Oil
Car engines run particularly well when they are regularly lubricated. Oil lubricates the moving parts of the engine, minimizing metal-to-metal contact, thereby reducing friction and carrying away excess heat. Oil also captures dirt, metal shavings and other impurities from the engine enabling the transfer of these injurious substances into the vehicles oil filter. For best engine performance, fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, use only the oil recommended in your vehicles owners manual.
Belts, hoses, regular tune-ups
Have your belts and hoses checked at the regularly scheduled time periods mentioned in your owner's manual. Also, get a tune-up at the scheduled maintenance time. Check under the hood for cracked or split spark plug wires, cracked radiator hoses or loose clamps and corrosion around the battery terminals.
Emission-control systems
Modern vehicles are equipped to treat exhaust emissions before they are released into the atmosphere. The emission-control system must be inspected and maintained according to the manufacturer's recommendations. If you experience problems such as stalling or poor acceleration, or if your exhaust produces black or blue smoke, your vehicle is probably polluting the air and needs servicing.
Ignition systems
Proper maintenance of your vehicles ignition system is critical. Spark plugs ignite the air-fuel mixture. If one or more of the plugs is worn or malfunctioning, the engine will misfire, and some fuel will remain unburned. Worn or damaged spark plug wires can also cause misfiring. A misfiring engine wastes fuel, produces higher levels of emissions and generally performs poorly.
Brakes
The foot brake must be capable of stopping the vehicle within a distance of 25 feet at a speed of 20 miles per hour. The parking brake should be adequate to stop and hold the vehicle. While driving, you can perform a self-check on your brake system. 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. If this happens, make sure to get the vehicle to a proper mechanic.
Your vehicles brake pedal is designed so that when it is pressed, the force of the pressure is multiplied several times. The hydraulic system that operates your vehicle braking system transmits the force from your foot to its brakes through brake fluid.
Why should I bother to do vehicle maintenance?
Maintenance requirements vary widely from one vehicle to another. Failing to follow your particular vehicle owners manuals maintenance regime could void your vehicles warranty. To keep the manufacturer's warranty valid (not to mention ensuring maximum fuel economy), your vehicle must be maintained to the standards recommended in the owner's manual.
Its simple - Your vehicle will last longer and work better. The time to find out that your car has a problem is in your driveway, not out on the roadway. Additionally, a properly maintained vehicle is a safer vehicle. Through proper maintenance, your vehicle will function as advertised and will increase the potential for you to come through an emergency situation in one piece.
So, we at www.purtips.com hope that the above has been proved helpful to you. If you need any further clarification, feel free to contact us info@purtips.com .
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