Preventative Maintenance
Checklist
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Vehicle
Part
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Weekly |
Monthly |
Bi-
Monthly |
Description |
| Exterior |
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Your vehicle should be waxed
once a month. The waxing adds a protective
layer to the paint that protects it against
acid rain, bird droppings and most foreign
substances as well as helping to guard the
finish against fading. |
| Air
Filter |
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Check the air filter every other
month. Replace it when it's dirty or as part
of a tune-up. It is easy to reach, right under
the big metal "lid", in a carbureted
engine; or in a rectangular box at the forward
end of the air duct hose assembly. |
| Antifreeze |
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Check the antifreeze/coolant
level weekly. Some cars have transparent reservoirs
with level markings. Fill to level marking
with 50/50 solution of antifreeze and water.
Caution: Do not remove the pressure cap when
engine is hot. |
| Battery |
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Use extreme caution when handling
a battery since it can produce explosive gases.
Do not smoke, create a spark or light a match
near a battery and always wear protective
glasses and gloves. Have it checked with every
oil change. Cables should be attached securely
and be free of corrosion. If battery has filler
holes, add only clear odorless drinking water. |
| Belts |
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Inspect belts and hoses monthly.
Replace worn, glazed or frayed belts. Tighten
them when more than 1/2" of slack can be depressed
between the pulleys. Vehicles with spring
loaded belt tensioners require no adjustment.
Replace bulging, rotten or brittle hoses and
tighten clamps. If a hose looks bad, or feels
too soft or too hard, it should be replaced. |
Brake
Fluid |
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|
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Check brake fluid monthly. First,
wipe dirt from the brake master cylinder reservoir
lid. Pry off the retainer clip and remove
the lid or unscrew plastic lid, depending
on which type your vehicle has. If you need
fluid, add the approved type and check for
possible leaks throughout the system. Fill
to mark on reservoir. Caution: Do Not Overfill.
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| Engine
Oil |
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Check oil every other fill up.
Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean. insert
it fully and remove it again. If it is low,
add oil. To maintain peak performance, change
oil every 3,000 miles or 3 months, whichever
comes first. Replace oil filter with every
oil change. |
| Exhaust |
|
|
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Look underneath for loose or
broken exhaust clamps and supports. Check
for holes in muffler or pipes. Replace rusted
or damaged parts. Have emission checked at
least once per year for compliance with local
laws. |
| Hoses |
|
|
|
Inspect belts and hoses monthly.
Replace worn, glazed or frayed belts. Tighten
them when more than 1/2" of slack can be depressed
between the pulleys. Vehicles with spring
loaded belt tensioners require no adjustment.
Replace bulging, rotten or brittle hoses and
tighten clamps. If a hose looks bad, or feels
too soft or too hard, it should be replaced. |
| Lights |
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Be sure all your lights are
clean and working, including brake lights,
turn signals and emergency flashers. Keep
spare bulbs and fuses in your vehicle. |
| Oil
Filter |
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|
|
To maintain peak performance,
change oil every 3,000 miles or 3 months,
whichever comes first. Replace oil filter
with every oil change. |
| Power
Steering Fluid |
|
|
|
Check power steering fluid level
once per month. Simply remove the reservoir
dipstick. If the level is down, add fluid
and inspect the pump and hoses for leaks. |
| Shock
Absorbers |
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Look for signs of oil seepage
on shock absorbers, test shock action by bouncing
the car up and down. The car should stop bouncing
when you step back. Worn or leaking shocks
should be replaced. Always replace shock absorbers
in pairs. |
| Tires |
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Keep tires inflated to recommended
pressure (it helps to own your own gauge).
Check for cuts, bulges and excessive tread
wear. Uneven wear indicates tires are misaligned
or out of balance. Keep a record of tire rotation.
Rotate at the first 5,000 miles and every
7,500 miles thereafter. |
| Transmission
Fluid |
|
|
|
Check transmission fluid monthly
with engine warm and running, and parking
brake on. Shift to drive, then to park. Remove
dipstick, wipe dry, insert it and remove it
again. Add the approved type fluid, if needed.
Caution: Do Not Overfill! |
| Washer
Fluid |
|
|
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Keep windshield washer fluid
reservoir full. When topping off, use some
windshield washer fluid on a rag to clean
off the wiper blades. In the winter months,
pay attention to the freezing point of the
washer fluid. |
| Wiper
Blades |
|
|
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Inspect windshield wiper blades
whenever you clean your windshield. Do not
wait until rubber is worn or brittle to replace
them. Wiper blades should be replaced at least
once per year, and more often if smearing
or chattering occurs. |
Winter Tips:
|
| Windshield Care |
Make sure to use windshield
washer fluid in your vehicle's system.
NEVER use plain water! Not because it
will freeze in the winter, but more
importantly because it DOES NOT CONTAIN
the property solvents to cut through
the grease and salt residue kicked up
by the cars in front of you. |
| Salt Residue |
The number
1 rule to protect your vehicle's finish
and underbody is to ALWAYS REMOVE THE
SALT RESIDUE FROM YOUR VEHICLE AS SOON
AS POSSIBLE! Salt will destroy your
finish and eventually rot out your undercarriage!
|
| For Emergencies |
Carry a snow shovel in
the trunk. You never know when you might
get caught in a snow storm. |
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