Vehicle maintenance

Do to a few recent mishaps with our car while on a trip, one in mid 97 and one in early 98. I felt the need to mention a few tips about vehicle maintenance. You can prevent some mishaps, but not all.
As in camping, the best way to avoid preventable vehicle problems is in care and
forethought.

IMPORTANT: The instructions here may or may not work for your particular vehicle. You should always follow the specifications in your owners or service manuals......

WARNING! You can be badly injured working on or around a motor vehicle. Do only that service work for which you have the knowledge and the right equipment. If you have any doubt about your ability to perform a service job, take your vehicle to a competent mechanic.

FUSES: The fuse access panel is located on the left side or drivers side under the steering wheel on most vehicles. Check to see if all the fuses are there and good. Always carry extras, at least one of every size..
CAUTION! When replacing a blown fuse, it is important to use only a fuse having the correct amperage rating. The use of a fuse with a rating other than indicated may result in a dangerous electrical system overload. If a properly rated fuse continues to blow, it indicates a problem in the circuit. This must be corrected or the problem will not go away.

Tires:
Tire Your tires should be inspected periodically for unusual wear. Look close for cuts, punctures, embedded screws, nails and other objects big or small.
Tire pressure should be checked and maintained at specified pressures. Correct air pressure will help to increase the life of your tires. You cannot accurately estimate tire pressure by just looking at it. Always use a good quality tire pressure gauge. The gauges attached to the air hoses at your local gas stations are rarely accurate.
If there is a plug in any of your tires from a previous puncture. Using soapy water, spray the area where the plug is. If bubble start to appear, you may need to seek help from a tire shop to have it repaired again or replaced.
It is equally important to keep your spare tire up to par. You do not need to find out that it is low in air pressure when you need it most.

Engine Oil Requirements:
Checking Oil Level to assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at regular intervals, such as every fuel stop.

The best time to check the oil level is about 5 minutes after a fully warmed-up engine is shut off, or before starting the vehicle after it has sat overnight.

Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accuracy of the oil level readings.

Add oil only when the level on the dipstick is at or below the MIN or add mark on the dipstick.

As a rule, I follow these guide lines.
If your normal driving is mostly stop n go traffic. Change your engine oil every 3,000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes first. On the other hand, if you mostly drive on highways, change your engine oil every 7,500 miles or 6 months whichever comes first.

Oil Filter:

The oil filter should be replaced with a new filter at every oil change.
CAUTION! Do not overfill the crankcase. This will cause oil aeration and loss of oil pressure.

Drive Belts - Check Condition and Tension:
At the mileage indicated in the maintenance chart, replace all belts or at least check for condition and proper tension. Improper belt tension can cause belt slippage and failure. Belts should be inspected for evidence of cuts, cracks, or glazing, and replaced if there is indication of damage, which could result in belt failure. If adjustment is required, the belts must be adjusted according to the specifications and procedures described in the Service Manual. Also, check belt routing to make sure there is no interference between the belts and other engine components.

Spark Plugs and Spark Plug wires:
Tune up parts

Spark plugs must fire properly to assure engine performance and emission control. New plugs should be installed at the specified mileage. The entire set should be replaced if there is any malfunction due to a faulty spark plug. Check the specification section of your manual for the proper type of spark plugs for vehicle. Spark Plug wires should also be inspected for evidence of cuts, cracks, splits and corrosion. Replace as needed or according to the specification and procedures described in the Service Manual.

Engine Air Filter:
Under normal driving conditions, replacement of the engine air filter is recommended at the intervals shown on the maintenance chart. If however, the vehicle is driven frequently under dusty or severe conditions, the filter element should be inspected periodically (at least every 15,000 miles) and replaced if necessary.

Fuel Filter:
A plugged fuel filter can limit the speed at which a vehicle can be driven and can cause hard starting. Should an excessive amount of dirt accumulate in the fuel tank, frequent filter replacement may be necessary.

Maintenance-Free Battery: Tune up parts

The top of the MAINTENANCE-FREE battery is permanently sealed. You will never have to add water, nor is periodic maintenance required.
That is what they want you to think and if you believe that, then you must like to replacing your batteries every few years.
I personally do not believe in MAINTENANCE-FREE. I have had two too many batteries go bad due to low fluid levels.
On most MAINTENANCE-FREE batteries, there are instructions to add water if the color in the display glass is white, charge if yellow, battery is good if green.
No matter what the fluid in batteries must be maintained or the life of the battery and replacement will surely come sooner than expected..

CAUTION! It is essential when replacing the cables on the battery that the positive cable is attached to the positive post and the negative cable is attached to the negative post. Insure that the felt washer is under the battery positive post before installing the cables. Battery posts are marked positive (+) and negative (-) and identified on the battery case. Cable clamps should be tight on the terminal posts and free of corrosion.

Windshield Wiper Blades:
Tune up parts

The rubber edges of the wiper blades and the windshield should be cleaned periodically with a sponge or soft cloth and a mild non-abrasive cleaner. This will remove accumulations of salt or road film.
Inspect them often for wear, cracks, tears, dirt and road grime.

Operation of the wipers on dry glass for long periods may cause deterioration of the wiper blades and can scratch the glass.
Always use washer fluid when using the wipers to remove salt or dirt from a dry windshield.

Air Conditioner:
The air conditioning system should be inspected at the start of the warm weather season and/or if the air conditioner seems less effective than usual. An experienced repairman should do repairs and maintenance.

Power steering pumps:
Fluid level should be maintained at the proper level indicated on the dipstick. If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all surfaces. Only petroleum fluids specially formulated for minimum effect on the rubber hoses should be used.

Front wheel-drive:
Drive Shaft Universal Joints: Your vehicle has four constant velocity universal joints. Periodic lubrication of these joints is not required. However, the joint boots should be inspected for external leakage or damage when other maintenance is per-formed. If leakage or damage is evident, the universal joint boot and grease should be replaced immediately.
Continued operation could result in failure of the universal joint due to water and dirt contamination of the grease. This would require complete replacement of the joint assembly.

Brakes:
Inspect, If needed replace them.
Inspection of brake pads and/or shoes and hoses should be performed every engine oil change. Replace if needed.
Inspect hydraulic brake hoses for surface cracking, scuffing, or worn spots. If there is any evidence of cracking, scuffing, or worn spots, the hose should be replaced immediately! Eventual deterioration of the hose can take place. With possible burst failure.
Check brake fluid:

WARNING! Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and possibly an accident. Driving with your foot resting or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and possible brake damage. You would not have your full braking capacity in an emergency.

COOLING SYSTEM:
WARNING! When working near the electric radiator-cooling fan, disconnect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition key to the OFF position. The fan is temperature control led and can start at any time when the ignition key is in the ON position. Overheated

Inspection
Coolant protection checks should be made every 12 months (prior to the onset of freezing weather, where applicable). If coolant is dirty or rusty in appearance, the system should be drained, flushed and refilled with fresh coolant. Check face of radiator for any accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean the radiator core by gently spraying water from a garden hose at the back of the core.
Check the reserve tank tubing for condition and tightness of connection at reserve tank and radiator. Inspect the entire system for leaks.

Adding Coolant:
When adding coolant or refilling system, a minimum of 50% solution of ethylene glycol antifreeze coolant in water should be used. Higher concentrations (not to exceed 70%) are required if temperatures below -35*F are anticipated.

WARNING! Never add coolant to the radiator when the engine is overheated. Do not loosen or remove radiator cap to cool overheated engine! The coolant is Under pressure and severe scalding could result.

Radiator Cap:
The radiator cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of coolant, and to insure that coolant will return to the radiator from the coolant reserve tank.
The radiator cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.

The warning words "DO NOT OPEN HOT" on the radiator pressure cap are a safety precaution. Heat causes pressure to build up in the cooling system. To prevent scalding or injury, do not remove the pressure cap while the system is hot or under pressure.

Coolant Level:
The coolant reserve system provides a quick visual method for determining that the coolant level is adequate. With the engine idling and warmed to normal operating temperature, the level of the coolant in the overflow bottle should be between the "MAX" and "MIN" marks. The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is no need to remove the radiator cap except for checking coolant freeze point or replacement with new antifreeze coolant. Your' service attendant should be advised of this. So long as the engine operating temperature is satisfactory, the overflow bottle need only be checked once a month.
When additional coolant is needed to maintain the proper level, it should be added to the overflow bottle. Do not overfill.

Points to Remember:

When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles of operation. You may observe vapor coming from the front of the engine compartment. This is normally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vaporized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot water to enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be safely driven. The vapors will soon dissipate.

A Do not overfill the reserve tank (bottle).

If frequent coolant additions are required, or if the level in the reserve tank does not drop when the engine cools, the cooling system should be pressure tested for leaks.

Maintain coolant concentration of 50% ethylene glycol (minimum) with recommended antifreeze for proper corrosion protection of your engine, which contains aluminum components.

Make sure that the radiator and reserve tank overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.

Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the condenser clean also.

Increasing engine speed at idle does not reduce coolant temperature! Put transaxle in NEUTRAL and let engine idle at normal engine idle speed.