Used / Pre-owned Car Repair and Maintenance Tips
By Hanna Nilson
Used or pre-owned cars require
extra attention. Knowing how to keep up with basic car repairs and
maintenance can significantly extend the life of your used or pre-owned car.
There are a few things
that everyone should know about taking care of their used car. For
example, some of the most obvious procedures for used car repair and
maintenance are washing and waxing regularly. This will help protect
your car's body from corrosion. Also, cleaning the interior of your
car will prevent wear-and-tear and can make a huge difference for the
overall look and feel of your car's condition.
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Measuring and refilling
your car's fluids are also a standard and crucial practice in order to
keep your used car running safely. There are several key liquid components
to the car engine.
-
Car Engine Oil: It is best
to check your engine oil every 2 to 3 weeks. Make sure you check the
oil when the engine is off Also, changing your car engine oil is a
must. However, every used car is different, it is best to consider the
car mileage and condition in order to determine when the car might
be due for a tune-up and/or oil change.
-
Car Engine Coolant:
WARNING! Never open the radiator cap when the engine is hot! Always
let your car cool for a while before opening the radiator cap. Most
cars have measurement markings. Keep the fluid level between these
markings.
-
Car Transmutation Fluid:
For any automatic vehicle, checking the transmutation fluid is much
like checking the oil. However, to get the most accurate reading, it
is best to have the engine warm.
-
Power Steering Fluid: Like
the transmutation fluids, this should always be checked when the
engine is up to operating temperature.
-
Car Brake Fluid: For most
new cars, you can check the level of the brake fluid without a
measuring device or without removing the cap. Simply, check on the
side of the container for fluid levels.
-
Another important part of
maintaining you used or pre-owned car is checking your tires. Tire balancing;
rotations, wheel alignment, as well as tightening all nuts / bolts
will help keep your tires in good condition and lasting longer.
Also, checking the air pressure is crucial and should be a regular
practice, especially during colder seasons and before long
road-trips.
Other miscellaneous parts
of your used car which are of no lesser significance and should always be
kept in mind are, windshield wipers, the Anti-lock braking system or
ABS and timing belt. The timing belt in particular is one of the most
essential parts of your engine. If it goes, so does your car. The
timing belt usually needs to get changed between 60k-90k miles.
Consider, once again, how every used car is different and depending on the
make, model and/or year of the car, it may be able to last for longer
or shorter periods of time.
Finally, taking your car
for regular tune-ups and having it checked by a professional, is a
vital practice for ensuring the safety of your vehicle. As the owner
and responsible driver of your used / pre-owned car, always remember that if you
take care of it, it will take care of you!
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