RUNNING ON EMPTY: Not only will it cost more, although rare you could cause potential costly mechanical problems. Gasoline acts like a coolant for the electric fuel-pump motor. When you run on low this allows the pump to suck in air, which creates heat and can cause the fuel pump to wear prematurely, and fail. So fill ‘er up before you run out!
BATTERY PROBLEMS: Often the reason when your car won’t start. The obvious problems of leaving your lights on or running the radio with the engine off may drain the battery. Age is another culprit and it will probably be on a cold morning, at the worst possible time. However high temperatures in the summer can do the most damage, and a battery can go anytime. To prevent being stranded have your battery and alternator checked yearly.
OWNER’S MANUAL: Whenever you need to add fluids to your vehicle, check first with the Owner’s Manual. It matters not what brand of oil you use, but its viscosity grade (10W-30 for example) is very important. Use only what the manual specifies. The wrong oil can lead to reduced lubrication and shorter engine life. If the manual suggests synthetic oil, use it. It may not harm your engine if you mix synthetic oil with regular oil, but it won’t help either.
Changing the oil regularly as suggested in the manual will help keep your vehicle running longer than any other preventative. Be sure to follow the manual’s suggestion, if your vehicle is a custom street rod then perhaps calling your builder can shed some light on your questions.
Don’t fill the windshield-washer with water. Some say that creates a breeding ground for the bacterium that causes Legionnaires’ disease. Using antifreeze will only cause a slimy mess, and it’s not a good idea to use household glass cleaner either.
In your car’s cooling system use a blend of water and antifreeze coolant about half and half. This should keep your car cool in hot weather and not susceptible to freeze in cold.
Another Don’t: Diesel fuel and gasoline gas tanks don’t mix. The gas pumps are a different size, so they are hard to mix, but if they do get mixed they should be drained before they do any damage.
Brake systems use hydraulic fluid. Don’t substitute transmission or power steering fluids that look similar. By using the wrong fluids it may affect the seals and damage the system. If the brake fluid is low you will probably need your brake system serviced.
Automatic transmissions must use only the fluid specified by the automaker. The wrong fluid can cause poor lubrication and transmission failure.
CAN YOU MAKE YOUR CAR LAST FOR 200,000 MILES? They say it’s easy and it will save you thousands in the long run. Many of today’s cars can last for 200,000 miles or more with few if any major repairs. Keeping your car instead of trading it in every five or six years will save you a great deal of money.
Numerous advances make today’s street rods more reliable including advances in motor oil and engine technology. First of all you need to buy a car with a proven track record. One that has fewer problems and has performed well in government and insurance-industry safety tests and has the latest safety equipment.
FINDING A GOOD MECHANIC: Consumer Reports Magazine reported that owners of almost 350,000 vehicles who used independent mechanics were generally more satisfied than those who had their car serviced at a dealership.
However if your car is still under warranty you will need to go to the dealership for warranty repairs. Otherwise find a shop that specializes in your type of vehicle. They are the most likely to have the latest training and equipment to fix it.
Ask if the shop guarantees their work. Some places where you might check your mechanic are: The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence or ASE; www.angieslist.com; Repair Pal (www.repairpal.com); and the Mechanics Files at Cartalk.com. Repair Pal and Car talk offer free services, while Angies List requires a subscription. The Better business Bureau is another source to check.
DO IT YOURSELFERS: May buy used car parts because they are cheaper or that’s the only way they can find the needed part. You have to be careful because the part may have already reached its limit. Numerous stores offer after-market parts, and that’s where a lot of mechanics by their parts.
Regardless where you go to get your vehicle serviced. If only for an oil change and/or a lube job, it can be hit or miss to find the right shop and mechanic. It will be worth the effort because a good mechanic is worth his weight in gold.