| If you want to ruin your day, never take the time to | | | | antifreeze is green, oil is golden brown, and brake fluid |
| property maintain your car's engine. This is a sure fire | | | | is reddish. Knowing which fluid is leaking can help a |
| way to have your car breakdown in the most remote | | | | garage determine the severity of your problem. They |
| of areas. Instead of tempting fate, why not learn how | | | | can fit you into a busy schedule if the leak is potentially |
| to keep your car well maintained and working properly. | | | | hazardous. |
| Check your oil levels every week. Engines run at | | | | To keep your air conditioning system working properly, |
| extremely high temperatures and some models will | | | | run the system every month, even in the winter. The |
| burn through oil at an alarming rate. You do not want | | | | same is true with the heating system. It should be run in |
| to run dry on oil. This will damage the engine to cease. | | | | the summer to prevent any seizing. |
| Once this has happened, you either need a new | | | | Try to brake in advance. Sudden stops wear down |
| engine or a new car. Both of these issues are | | | | brake pads far more quickly. Have your brakes |
| extremely costly. Can you afford to be without your | | | | checked regularly for wear and tear. |
| car for a lengthy amount of time? | | | | Tires should be rotated every 7,000 miles. Inspect |
| Change your oil every 3,000 miles. After driving for a | | | | them visually every month for tire wear, punctures, and |
| certain amount of time, oil becomes dirty and sluggish. | | | | bulges. |
| Keeping the oil changed regularly reduces dirt | | | | Pay attention to your battery. If you see white |
| circulating in the engine. | | | | deposits forming on the terminals, clean them with a |
| Another troublesome issue is the belts. With every oil | | | | wire brush and then clean the battery with a mixture |
| change, you should have the fan belts and air hoses | | | | of baking soda and water. |
| checked for wear and tear. | | | | Keep your car rust free by keeping it waxed once per |
| Antifreeze should be changed every year. Have a | | | | season. Have the undercarriage washed at least twice |
| professional flush out the cooling system and replace | | | | a year. |
| the tanks with new coolant. This can keep a radiator | | | | Use WD40 to keep door hinges well lubricated. This |
| from developing leaks. | | | | keeps doors opening and closing properly. |
| Transmission fluid should be checked regularly. The | | | | Follow your car manual's recommended maintenance |
| fluid should be changed every 36,000 miles. If the head | | | | schedule. This guarantees the warranty will cover |
| gasket leaks, your coolant will leak into the oil system. | | | | costly repairs, but also prevents unexpected |
| This is an extremely costly repair, so have them | | | | breakdowns. |
| checked regularly to prevent this issue. Always stop | | | | All it takes is a few simple checks every month, and |
| first before shifting into drive. | | | | you can protect yourself from breaking down in an |
| Look regularly in your driveway for leaks. If you spot | | | | unfamiliar or remote area. Your safety is that important |
| any, take not of the color of the fluid and then take the | | | | isn't it? |
| car in for servicing. Transmission fluid is pinkish, | | | | |