"Good basic maintenance of your vehicle between tune ups will make it less likely for any unexpected mechanical failures." ~ AutoPointMotors.com

We at AutoPointMotors have put together this section for information on basic car maintenance as a reference for all our clients. These tips can help you have the maximum amount of driving time with minimal car maintenance time between your scheduled tune ups.

Think of your car as your health and our service shop as the doctors office. Taking good care of your health between doctors checkups and your body will more likely be stronger and perform at greater efficiency.

With that said, here are a few basic maintenance tips to keep you on the road between tune ups and maintenance at our facitliy. If you are still unsure of any of these maintenance tips, our doors are alway open between business hours to serve you.

 

Common car maintenance tasks include:

  • Car wash and wax
  • check engine oil levels and color
  • inspect or replace windshield wipers
  • check or refill windshield washer fluid
  • inspect tires for pressure and wear (a sticker of your car's factory recommended tire pressure can usually be found on the driver's side door area or glove compartment)
  • check, clean or replace battery terminals
  • inspect brake pads
  • check brake fluid
  • check transmission fluid
  • check steering fluid
  • check engine coolant (CAUTION: Only when your car's engine is completely cool)
  • inspect or replace air filter
  • lubricate locks, latches, hinges
  • check all lights
  • tighten chassis nuts and bolts
  • check if rubber boots are cracked and need replacement

 

Routine car maintenance is related to vehicle fuel economy. Some of the procedures include:

  • Ensure tires are properly inflated. The owners manual for the vehicle will indicate the proper pressure to inflate you tires to. Decreased tire pressure increases the rolling resistance of your tires and decreases fuel economy, and may also increase tire wear and impair performance.
  • The thermostat, oxygen or O2 sensor should be replaced either at a manufacturer recommended interval or when a electronic fault code/ low temperature problem is detected. Electronically fuel injected vehicles have an O2 sensor or sensors in their exhaust system which helps the vehicles computer determine how to optimize fuel economy. These O2 sensors may need to be changed periodically for a vehicle to optimize it's air fuel mixture and maximize it's fuel economy.
  • Insure vehicle air filters are clean. Black or otherwise dirty air filters make your engine work harder to get enough air for proper combustion and decrease its efficiency; however, electronically fuel injected cars can automatically compensate for the decreased air flow caused by a dirty air filter and experience relatively little decrease in fuel economy. Most owners’ manuals will recommend a service interval at which to change the air filter, but periodic visual inspection is the best way to ensure that the air filter is clean. Read and use the recommended weight for engine oil, not using the recommended weight of oil can decrease the burden on the engine. Heavier oil weights, such as 20W-50, are harder to maneuver through the engine than, for example, 10W-30 or 5W-20 oils. The result can cause a decrease in fuel economy. Also, dependent on engine mileage.