What do you think all women should know about maintenance on their cars?

UCANTCME

1. Read the Owner's Manual

Your vehicle is probably the most complicated machine you own; learning the details about its parts, how it runs and when to take it in for maintenance makes you an informed owner and helps to reduce costly breakdowns. This knowledge will serve you well throughout ownership.

2. Change the Oil

Oil is the lifeblood of you car, so change it according to the manufacturer's recommended schedule, which may be at intervals of 3,000, 5,000 or more miles. Some cars have an oil-life monitor that will notify the driver when the oil needs to be changed. In addition, use the type of oil the automaker suggests; this alone will increase your vehicle's longevity.

3. Maintain Tire Air Pressure

It's very important to check and maintain proper air pressure in your car's tires. Underinflated tires are the No. 1 cause of tire failure or flats. When a tire is underinflated, it builds up heat internally, which can cause a blowout. Underinflated tires also decrease fuel economy by as much as 10 percent. Look on the driver's doorjamb for a label marked Tire and Loading Information for more details. It's best to check tire pressure when the tires are cool. Use a quality tire-pressure gauge.

4. Pay Attention to Your Car's Warning Lights

Modern vehicles can have any number of warning lights for various onboard components like the antilock braking system. Sometimes, the behavior of a given warning light â€” a flashing check engine light versus a steady one â€” may indicate two entirely different issues, so it's important to understand each warning light's purpose, its various modes and what to do if they illuminate. You can generally consult your owner's manual to learn this information.

5. Check Your Vehicle's Vital Fluids Regularly

These include your radiator coolant, engine oil, brake fluid, power-steering fluid and automatic transmission fluid. You can do this, or a mechanic can take a look during routine maintenance. Ask how to properly check these things yourself, too.

The owner's manual provides details about fluid levels and recommended maintenance. Some tips: Never remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot or the car is running. Check your oil when the car is off but the engine is still warm. Check the transmission fluid with the car running but in Park.

6. Get Rubber Engine Components Inspected

Belt and hose failures are the No. 1 cause of roadside breakdowns. Rubber components under the hood are exposed to extreme heat, so they tend to wear out faster than other parts on your car. Get belts and hoses inspected every six months and before long trips. It's more cost effective to replace them before a breakdown occurs.

7. Know Your Car's Acronyms

Many of today's vehicles come with a healthy dose of alphabet soup: ABS, TCS, ESP, etc. These letters often designate a computer-controlled function that enhances the driving experience. An antilock braking system, or ABS, is a computerized system that prevents wheel lockup and skidding during braking. If your ABS light comes on and stays on, you should take your car to a mechanic for inspection because there could be a problem with the system.

TCS, or traction control system, helps eliminate wheel spin during acceleration. ESP could mean an electronic stability program is part of your car's features. There are many acronyms affiliated with vehicles today, and the only way to find out what some of these things mean is to look in the owner's manual.

8. Use the Right Tires for the Season

Make sure your tires are appropriate for your driving environment. While all-season tires may provide adequate traction on snow and ice, if you spend a considerable amount of time driving in wintry weather, then it may be worthwhile to purchase a set of snow tires for your car. Snow tires are optimized for winter driving conditions, whereas all-season tires are designed to handle a wider range of road and temperature conditions. If your car is equipped with summer tires, you definitely should install snow tires if your travels take you through snow-covered areas.

To make snow-tire installation and removal easier in the fall and spring, you can purchase a separate set of wheels exclusively for your snow tires.

9. Know Which Wheels Drive Your Car

Is it equipped with front- , rear- or all-wheel drive? A front-wheel-drive car will handle differently than one equipped with rear- or all-wheel drive, and vice versa. This is especially true when road conditions are poor.

Front-drive cars have been praised for their ability to accelerate and maneuver in snowy conditions, but modern rear-wheel-drive cars equipped with traction control and an electronic stability system are a far cry from the fishtailing, rear-drive cars of the past. All-wheel-drive systems send available engine power to the wheels with the most traction and can enhance dry-road handling characteristics in addition to snow performance.

10. Keep Your Car Clean

Don't drive around with dirty windows, and make sure your headlights are clean and properly aimed. Dirty headlamps can drastically reduce the amount of illumination provided; if you can't see something on or alongside the road, you can't avoid it. Additionally, an improperly aimed headlight greatly reduces its effectiveness and affects visibility for oncoming drivers. Keep your car clean, if for no other reason than safety.

DoRiDoRi

i guess women have to learn only the basic things such as:

1. check the battery
2. how to change spare tyre
3. check water temp (water in radiator)
4. learn how to service their cars on time
5. check tyre pressure

boogie_4wheel

tire pressure and rotation.
oil change (it is easy)
at least they should know when it needs to be serviced (track mileage).
Checking fluids (oil, tranny (auto), power steering, window washer, brake, clutch (manual), coolant)

pecarican

how to check oil, tire pressure, add motor oil, antifreeze, jump start, and where the spare tire is located.

NotMyRealName

The best, and hardest to find, answer is a trusted mechanic. Usually the best referral to a mechanic is word of mouth. After moving to another city it took me nearly 5 years to find one I could trust like my original hometown mechanic.

Outside of that the basics are tire pressure, checking fluids (oil, power steering fluid, brake fluid, coolant), how to change a spare tire, how to jump start a car, how to turn the hazard lights on, and the number to the road-side assistance service preprogrammed into the cell phone. I get roadside through my insurance company for around $14 every six months.

largecar8

What a woman needs to know is this; the need for periodic checks of the car, such as knowing how to check their own oil, coolant, power steering fluid, checking the belts for abnormal signs of wear, doing a walk around periodically to check on such things as tire condition and pressure and to make sure that all the lights are working. Also need to be able to inspect windshield wipers for condition.

When it comes to repair work, a trusted friend who is car savvy can be a major asset when it comes to repair quotes. It also helps that when you do find a capable service facility to let them do all the work. Steady customers are usually treated better than the once in a while stop in because the other guys can't find the problem. And don't be afraid to ask for referrals when it comes to the service work.

firebirdstevev

They should know that places will try to rip them off. They should find a place they trust and stick with them.

Frank C

Tire change and rotation
Oil change
Tire Pressure
Brake Pads
Windshield Washer Fluid
Air Filter Replacement

Chris

i think everyone should know how to change a tire, and also know to get their vehicle serviced at the recomended mileage and no later, my sister an wife tend to go well over the recomended mileage before they get them serviced. everyone also needs to know how to check all the fluid levels in their vehicles.

karimi742002

One site that I like is carcare.org, What women should know is how to check the fluids, tire pressure, air filter , PCV valve cabin air filter (if the vehicle has one). Know how to change wiper blades or wiper blade inserts, the filters and PCV valve.
As well as know when to do certain maintenance items.

phg_1964

the most important thing is oil ,transmission fluid and brake fluid and tires.without these the car is idle.make a check list for daily or weekly checks starting with your oil ,transmission fluid and brake fluid then move onto checking the tire,wiper blades ,lights and other functional things on the car the more u learn about the car the better it runs.then u can listen to different sounds like your brake pads rubbing.also keep a record of maintance that needs to be done or had been done

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