how to do it

TM

House & Home

Car Care & Roadside Emergencies

published by Barnes & Noble

Be good to your car and itll take

you places.
Car care and maintenance arent just for mechanics. To ensure smooth sailing every
time youre behind the wheel, teach yourself to:
Understand the layout of your engine and the regular tuneups it needs
Handle basic roadside emergencies, from flat tires to dead batteries
Save money and improve gas mileage through regular maintenance

Under the Hood of Your Car

Car Care Maintenance Schedule

Taking good care of your car costs a bit of time and money in the short term, but the longterm rewards more than make up for it: your car will get better mileage, run longer and more
efficiently, and operate safely. To keep your car in top shape all you need to do is learn basic
car care, which includes:

The purpose of car care is to catch whatever might go wrong before it actually does go
wrong. The best way to do that is to bring your car in for a yearly tune-up and follow a
regular car care schedule.

General maintenance: How and when to check and change the fluids, belts, hoses,
and filters to keep your car running efficiently and avoid breakdowns
Roadside repair: How to handle the flat tires and dead batteries that can afflict even
the best-maintained cars
Cleaning: How to make sure your car looks good and is well protected from the
elements

Part

Maintenance

Frequency

Tires

Check pressure

Once a month

Check treads

Once a month

Rotate tires

Every 5,00010,000 miles

Clean battery

Once a year

Check water level

Once every three months (accessiblemaintenance batteries only)

Check level

Once every three months or every

3,000 miles

Battery

A Map of Your Engine

You dont need to know a thing about the physics of combustion engines to perform basic
car care. One thing you must know is how to identify the different parts of the engine that
need maintenance and check them periodically to make sure theyre in good shape.

6
5

Motor oil

Change oil

Once every 3,0006,000 miles

Coolant

Check level

Once every three months

Transmission fluid

Check level

If you see an oily residue under

your car

Change fluid

Every 25,000 miles

Check level

Once every three months

Change fluid

Once a year

Washer fluid

Check level

Once every three months

Power steering fluid

Check level

Once every three months

Belts and hoses

Check belts and

hoses

Once every three months

Change belts and

hoses

Once a year

7
Brake fluid

4
9

3
2

1. antifreeze reservoir
2. belts and hoses
3. transmission fluid
dipstick

4. oil dipstick
5. air filter
6. brake fluid reservoir

7. window washer fluid

8. battery
9. power steering fluid

Filters

Windshield wipers

Replace air filters

Once a year

Replace fuel filters

Once a year

Replace wiper blades

Once every six months

At first glance, this schedule may seem a bit overwhelming. However, very few of these
steps take much time. In fact, it probably wont take you more than 15 minutes to check on
the car parts that need to be looked at every three months.

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The Roadside Tool Kit
Even if you keep your car in perfect shape, things can still go
wrong on the road. To make sure you can handle most automotive breakdowns, keep a roadside tool kit in your trunk.

Duct tape
First aid kit
Flashlight (test the batteries regularly)
Gloves
Ice scraper
Jack and jack stand
Jumper cables
Motor oil (1 quart)
Pliers
Screwdrivers (flat-head and Phillips-head)
Socket set
Spare tire
Starter cables
Tire iron (and a hollow pipe to fit snugly over its handle)
Wrench (adjustable)
Wheel chocks (wedges to lodge under the wheels of
the car to stop it from moving)

pipe over the handle of the tire iron and pulling on that.
Loosen each lug nut bit by bit, but dont remove any of
them entirely just yet. Dont loosen adjacent nuts:
if theres an even number of nuts, work in an X pattern;
if theres an odd number, work in a star pattern.

4. Place the jack under the cars chassis at a point close

to the flat tire. The owners manual will show you
exactly where to put the jackjust be sure its placed
under solid metal. Crank or ratchet the jack. If it wont
raise, try turning it the other way or look for a switch on
the jack marked R for raise or L for lower.

To jump-start a dead battery, you need another car thats

running normally and two jumper cables that have at least
6-gauge wires and are 1218 feet long. Be very careful and
always wear eye protection: a battery can explode if jumpstarted improperly.

How to Change a Flat Tire

5. Raise the jack until the car is high enough to remove

the flat tire and install the fully inflated spare tire. Install
the jack stand next to the jack.

1. Park the car in a level spot off the road. Apply the
parking brake and switch on your hazard lights. Make
sure you have space to work thats a safe distance
from passing traffic.
2. If you cant see the lug nuts holding the tire to the
wheel, you need to remove the hubcap. Depending
on the type of hubcap, you may have to remove some
screws or pry off the hubcap using the flat end of the
tire iron.
6. Unscrew the lug nuts. Place them somewhere secure
for safekeeping, such as in the removed hubcap.
Remove the flat tire. The tire will be heavy: be careful
not to let the weight roll you backward into the road.

lug nut

3. Loosen the lug nuts by turning them counterclockwise

with the tire iron. If the lug nuts are difficult to loosen,
give yourself some extra leverage by placing a hollow

9. Remember that spares are just temporary solutions:

get a new tire as soon as you can.

How to Jump-Start a Battery

Its also a good idea to have a cell phone when youre driving so you can call for help if necessary. If youre going on a
long drive, also bring along some extra water.

A flat tire can occur if your tire is punctured, excessively

worn, or not filled to a proper air pressure. Though you cant
do much to prevent punctures, you can control wear and
pressure by checking your tire pressure and tire treads
regularly. Fortunately, if you do get a flat, changing a tire
isnt very difficult:

7. Place the spare tire onto the threaded metal studs

projecting from the wheel. The air valve on the tire
should face you. Twist the lug nuts onto the threads by
hand, then tighten them by rotating clockwise with the
tire iron. Tighten each lug nut a little at a time, following
the same pattern you used to loosen them in step 3.
8. Lower and remove the jack. Give the lug nuts another
turn, if possible, and then replace the hubcap.

1. Read the owners manual for each car to make sure

both can be involved in a jump-start. Electric ignitions,
for example, can cause damage during jump-starts.
2. Pull the two cars next to each other so that the
batteries are close enough together for the jumper
cables to reach. Do not allow the cars to touch.
3. Shut off both cars. Make sure to turn off all
accessories, such as lights, radios, and air conditioning.
Remove all electrical devices, such as cell phones, from
the car.
4. Open the hoods of both cars. Make sure none of the
cable clamps touch each other. The cables should not
dangle into either cars engine well, where they could
get caught in moving parts.
5. Connect the cables in the following order:
A. Connect one end of the positive (red) cable to the
positive (+) terminal on the battery of the dead car.
B. Connect the other end of the positive (red) cable to
the positive (+) terminal on the battery of the car
thats working (the booster car).
C. Connect one end of the negative (black) cable to
the negative () terminal on the booster battery.
D. Connect the other end of the negative (black) cable
to a clean, unpainted metal surface (such as the
engine block) on the engine of the disabled vehicle.
Try to find a spot on the engine far from the battery,
as this connection might cause some sparks.
6. Check once more that the booster cables are not near
any moving parts.
7. Start the booster car. Let it idle for 35 minutes.

The information contained in this and every Quamut guide is intended only for the general interest of
its readers and should not be used as a basis for making medical, investment, legal or other important
decisions. Though Quamut makes efforts to create accurate guides, editorial and research mistakes can
occur. Quamut cannot, therefore, guarantee the accuracy of its guides. We disclaim all warranties, including
warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, and must advise you to use our guides at
your own risk. Quamut and its employees are not liable for loss of any nature resulting from the use of or
reliance upon our charts and the information found therein.

Photo Credits: Page 1: Thinkstock/Jupiter Images; Page 3: Charles D. Winters/Photo Researchers, Inc. (photo 1), Ingram Publishing/Jupiter Images (photo 2), Hemera Technologies/Jupiter Images
(photo 3). Illustrations by Precision Graphics.

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8. Try to start the car with the dead battery. If it wont start, wait five minutes and try
again. If it still wont start, check to see if there are other problems, such as a lack of
fuel. Do not keep trying to start the dead car, as you might cause additional damage.
9. Once the dead car does start, remove the jumper cables in the reverse order in which
you attached them in step 5. Do not let the cables fall into the engine or allow any part
of the cables to touch.
10. Keep the newly jump-started car running for at least 30 minutes to make sure the
battery recharges fully. It may also be a good idea to take the car to a service station
to get the battery thoroughly checked or replaced.

booster car

1. The battery will have cables attached to its positive and negative terminals. Remove
these cables by turning gently and removing the nut that holds them in place. Do not pry
on the terminals to return the nut. Always remove the negative (black) cable first and
then the positive (red) cable. Getting the order wrong can result in a dangerous shock.
Dont allow the clamps to touch.
remove negative
remove positive
2. Sprinkle baking powder on a
first
second
toothbrush and dip it in water. Brush
the terminals until the deposits are
gone. If the clamps have their own
deposits, brush them in the same way.
Dry the clamps and deposits with a
clean, lint-free rag or cloth.

How to Add Water to a Maintenance-Accessible Battery

step 5C

step 5A

step 5B

step 5D

dead car

How to Maintain Your Battery

The car battery provides the energy your car needs to start. If the battery dies, your car
wont start. You can significantly reduce the chances of your car battery dying by maintaining it properly. If the battery does die, you should know how to jump-start it.
Batteries come in two kinds: maintenance-free and maintenance-accessible. Maintenance-free batteries are sealed: theyre designed so you dont have to (and shouldnt try to)
add water to the batteries. Maintenance-accessible batteries have plugs that allow you to
check the water levels in the batterys cells and add water if necessary.

If you have a maintenance-accessible battery, you may have to add water to it. You should
check the water levels in each of the batterys cells every three months or so. If the water in
the cells doesnt reach the bottom of the
fill holes, the battery needs more water.
Fill the battery only with distilled water, which is free of impurities that might
affect the batterys efficiency. Pour the
water into the cells through the holes covered by screw or pressure caps. Do not fill
the cells any higher than the bottom of the
fill-hole. Never add anything but distilled
water to your battery.

How to Check Tire Pressure and Fill Tires

Maintaining proper tire pressure is a crucial part of basic car care. Tires
with proper pressure handle better, are less likely to go flat, and help
boost your cars gas mileage. You should check the tire pressure on your
car once per month and before any long road trips.
Tire pressure is measured in psipounds per square inch. The correct psi for a tire is usually written on the tire itself. Your owners manual
will also contain this information, but only about the tires that came with
the car originally. Most tires require 32 psi.
To check tire pressure, you need a tire pressure gauge. Service stations almost always have tire pressure gauges attached to the air hose
that customers can use to fill up their tires. If you dont want to go all the
way to the service station, you can buy your own pressure gaugethey
typically cost less than five dollars.

How to Check the Tire Pressure

The best time to check your tire pressure is when your tires are coldwhen the car hasnt
been driven any great distance in the past few hours. A hot tire will give you a false reading
because heat causes the air in the tire to expand. But if youre just driving over to a gas
station a short distance away, thats not a problem.
1. Find the air valve near the tire rim and remove its cap.
2. Press the open end of the air gauge firmly over the
valve. If you hear hissing air, either the valve isnt
straight or youre not pressing hard enough.
3. Check pressure on the tire pressure gauge.
4. Replace the cap on the valve.
5. Check all your tires, including the spare.

The type of battery you should have depends on the car you own. Check your owners
manual to see whether it recommends what type of battery is best for your car. If theres no
specification, you should base your choice on your climate. In a warm and dry climate, youre
better off with a maintenance-accessible battery because batteries in those climates tend
to lose water. Otherwise, a maintenance-free battery is probably your best bet.

Battery Maintenance
All batteries, even maintenance-free batteries, need a little maintenance. When working
with a battery, always wear protective eyewear, cover all exposed skin, and follow all safety
precautions. Also, remove all jewelry and watches, and never place tools on the battery
or allow any sort of fire (including cigarettes) to come near the battery. Always wash your
hands before and after working with a battery.

Cleaning Your Battery

Over time, chemical deposits can build up on the batterys terminals, limiting the batterys
ability to provide the car with power. You can clean away these deposits with a wrench, a
toothbrush, some baking soda, water, and a clean rag. You should check the terminals for
buildup every six months, though you likely wont have to clean them that often.

How to Add Air to Tires

If the air pressure in your tires is too low, youll have to add air using an air hose. Many service stations have free air hoses or coin-op versions that usually cost less than a dollar.
1. At the service station, park close to the air hose.
2. Remove the tire valve cap on all four tires. This will
save time if your service station makes you pay for air.
3. Press the air hose firmly over the valve and let the air
flow in short bursts.
4. Stop the air flow every few seconds to check your
progress. Overinflating is a serious safety issuenever
inflate tires beyond the manufacturers suggested psi. If
you do overinflate by mistake, you can release air from
the tire by pressing the metal nipple inside the valve.
5. Once youve reached the correct psi reading on the first tire, repeat the process for
the other three tires. Be sure to replace the valve caps on all four tires.
If you find that your tires are consistently low on air, you may have a leak and should bring
your tires to get checked out by a mechanic.

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How to Rotate Tires and Check Treads

How to Check and Add Motor Oil

Contact with the road wears down tire treads, the ridges
and bumps that help the tire grip the road. This wear compromises the vehicles handling and overall safety.

Making sure your car has the proper amount of motor oil is
among the simplest and most important auto maintenance
tasks. Motor oil cools and cleans the engine, reduces friction, and keeps your car running smoothly. If your car runs
low on or out of oil, permanent damage to your engine can
result. Check your oil every three months or 3,000 miles
and get an oil change every six months or 6,000 miles.

How to Rotate Tires

Front tires wear more quickly than rear tires. Every time
you turn the steering wheel, your front tires turn and are
subjected to pressures that your back tires never face. To
equalize tire wear, you should rotate your tires, usually
every 5,000 to 10,000 miles (though it depends on the car).
The rotation pattern depends on the type of car. Typical
rotation patterns include:

X pattern

forward cross

rearward cross

Your owners manual should have more specific information

about the recommended mileage between rotations and
the best rotation pattern for your car.
Rotating tires is a lot like changing a flat, with a few important differences. To rotate your tires:
1. Park the car in a level place away from any traffic and
with room to work on both sides of the car. Engage the
parking brake.
2. Choose which side of the car you want to work on first.
Apply wheel chocks to both wheels on the other side
of the car.
3. Loosen the lug nuts ( see Step 3 of How to Change a Flat
Tire) on both tires located on the side of the car youre
working on.
4. Jack up the car ( see Step 4 of How to Change a Flat
Tire).
5. Install two jack stands, one near each tire.
6. Remove the bolts on each tire.
7. Lift the tire off the wheel.
8. Switch the tire positions, rolling each from one end of
the car to the other.
9. Reinstall both tires.
10. Remove the jack stands and lower the jack.
11. Repeat the process on the other side of the car.

How to Check Tire Treads for Wear

All tire treads eventually wear down enough that rotating
the tires wont helpthe tires must be replaced. Exactly
how long it takes for treads to appear worn depends on the
type of tires you have, your driving habits, and the conditions of the roads you drive on most often.
Nearly all tires have tread wear indicatorshorizontal
bands of hard rubber that become visible as the tire tread
wears away. If you can see the tread wear indicators, its
time to get new tires.

Patterns of Tread Wear

A tires patterns of wear can indicate problems with the car
or with your driving.
Extra wear on one edge: Indicates wheel misalignment.
Random bald spots: Indicate wheel imbalance or bad
shocks.
Extra wear in the middle of a tire: Indicates that the
tire is overinflated.
Extra wear on both sides of a tire: Indicates that the
tire is underinflated.
Extra wear on the edges of the front tires: Indicates
that you take turns too fast.

How to Check the Motor Oil

Its best to check the oil after the car has been driven a bit.
Take a quick lap around the block, then park back in your
driveway. Now pop the hood and find the dipstick. If you
have trouble finding it, check the Under the Hood section of
this guide or your owners manual.
1. Pull the dipstick from its tube
and wipe it clean with a rag.
You should see two notches
near the bottom of the stick.
The upper notch marks the full
line. The lower notch indicates
a low oil level.
2. Insert the dipstick all the way
back into its tube and then
pull it out again.
3. Examine the dipstick. Youll
see a sheen of oil on the end
of the stick. If the upper edge
of the oil is at least halfway
between the full and low
marks, the oil level is fine. If
its close to or lower than the
low notch, the car needs oil.
4. Replace the dipstick.

How to Add Motor Oil to the Engine

If your car needs motor oil, you can add it yourself or bring
the car to a service station. Motor oil comes in a few different viscosities, or thicknesses. The most common motor
oils, in order of increasing viscosity, are 5W-30, 10W-30,
and 10W-40. If you want to add the oil yourself, make sure to
buy the right type, as indicated in your owners manual.
1. Find the oil-filling hole, which is marked by a three-inch
cap on top of the engine. The cap is usually near the
dipstick. If you cant find it, see the Under the Hood
section of the guide or check your owners manual.
2. Remove the cap and insert a funnel. Pour 1/4 to 1/2
quart of oil through the funnel.
3. Replace the cap over the oil-filling hole.
4. Recheck the oil level with the dipstick. Add more if
necessary, but be very careful not to add too much oil.
Overfilling the oil can cause engine trouble.

How to Change Motor Oil

Changing your oil is different from checking your oil to see if
its low or refilling the oil if its low. Whereas checking and refilling oil are tasks anyone can do, changing the oil involves
draining the oil from the engine and replacing it with fresh oil
and a new filtera much more demanding job.
Unless youve had prior auto maintenance training, you
should have a professional change your oil. Several auto
maintenance chains, such as Jiffy Lube, focus primarily on
changing oil and other engine fluids. Using Jiffy Lube or a
local service station you trust is the best way to make sure
you change your oil the right way every time.

How to Check the Coolant

Car radiators use a mixture of antifreeze and water (collectively called coolant) to cool the engine. You should check
your coolant levels every three months or so and more
often if your car has a tendency to overheat. Overheating
happens when your engine gets too hot, as indicated by the

temperature gauge on the dashboard. Keeping an occasional eye on the temperature gauge as you drive is the best
way to monitor your cars temperature. When the engine
overheats, the check engine light will illuminate. The most
likely cause of overheating is low coolant, which you should
know how to check and remedy.
Because the coolant system is under heat and pressure,
it will scald you if opened while the engine is still warm.
Check the coolantor any other capped engine componentonly after the car has been turned off for at least a
few hours and ideally overnight.
1. The coolant tank is a clear or translucent hard plastic
tank attached to the radiator by a hose. Its usually
near the front of the car. If you have trouble finding it,
refer to the illustration in the Under the Hood section of
this guide or see your owners manual.
2. The coolant tank has a cap that youll need to remove
in order to check the coolant level. Once the tank is
open, look for markings for full and low. If the tank
is low, add a mixture of equal parts coolant and water
to the tank, using a funnel. Continue until the coolant
level reaches the full line.
3. If your car has no coolant and you have no access to a
fresh supply, pure water will work as a temporary fix.
However, drive to the nearest service station as soon
as possible and add coolant to the tank.
Coolant levels should not go down as a result of everyday
driving. If you notice that your coolant is persistently low,
you may have a leak in the coolant tank. Be sure to have any
possible leaks checked out by a service station immediately.
Coolant should be flushed and replaced after every 20,000
miles of routine driving.

How to Check the Transmission Fluid

Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) should be changed
every 25,000 miles. The ATF typically doesnt need refilling
sooner than 25,000 miles, since the transmission fluid system is entirely sealed. If you notice an oily fluid beneath your
car, check the ATF levels to see if you have a leak.
You must check ATF levels while your engine is running.
Be very careful as you lean over your enginemake sure
youre not wearing any dangling clothes or jewelry that
might get caught in moving parts.
1. On level ground, put your car in park with the
emergency brake engaged and let your engine run.
Give the engine a few minutes to warm.
2. Locate the ATF dipstick, which will look like a stockier
version of the motor oil dipstick. Its often placed
behind the motor oil dipstick, though it can also be near
the rear of the engine (see Under the Hood). If you cant
find the ATF dipstick, check your owners manual.
3. Pull the dipstick out of its tube, wipe it clean with a rag,
and push it all the way back into the tube. Remove the
dipstick and read the level indicator at the tip. The level
should come up to the full mark.
4. If the level is low, add ATF through a funnel into the
hole from which you pulled the dipstick. Check your
owners manual to determine which type of ATF you
should add.
5. Add only a little ATF at a time and check the level after
each addition. Dont overfill.
6. If the ATF that is already in your car looks dark or black,
take your car to a service station to change the fluid
completely.
If you have a car with a manual transmission, dont try
to change the transmission fluid yourself. Bring the car to
a service station at the service intervals specified in the
owners manual. If you ever suspect that the transmission
fluid is leaking out of the engine, bring your car to a service
station as soon as possible.

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How to Change the Brake Fluid
A cars brake fluid should not leak during normal operation. Regardless, you should check
the brake fluid every three months and change it once a year. If you suspect a leak due to
persistently low brake fluid levels, bring your car to a service station.
If you decide to change the brake fluid yourself, make absolutely sure that no water gets
into the brake systemwater reduces the braking systems effectiveness, putting you in
danger. Never change brake fluid in the rain.
1. The brake fluid reservoir is a translucent hard plastic canister that sits above the
master brake cylinder in the part of the engine closest to the drivers seat. If you cant
find it, see the diagram in Under the Hood of Your Car or refer to your owners manual.
2. The brake fluid reservoir should have a line that indicates when its full. Since the
reservoir is typically made of translucent plastic, you can check the level without
removing the cap.
3. If brake fluid is low, remove the reservoirs cap and fill the canister to the full line.
Most cars use a type of brake fluid called DOT 3 or DOT 4. Check your owners manual
to see which you should use. If the reservoir has two halves, fill both. Do not overfill.
4. Many cars made before 1980 have brake fluid reservoirs made of metal rather than
plastic. For these, youll have to remove the cap to check the fluid levels.

How to Check Hoses

The warning signs for faulty hoses are holes, cracks, oil stains, or a sweet burning smell
(from leaked coolant). Badly damaged hoses may even be collapsed. If you find any of these
warning signs, take your car to a service station. Hoses should be replaced once a year.

How to Replace the Air and Fuel Filters

In addition to the oil filter, your car has two more vital filters: the air filter and the fuel filter.
The oil filter is changed by the service station mechanics each time you change your oil. The
air and fuel filter should be changed once a year or so.

How to Replace the Air Filter

To replace your air filter, you first need to know what kind of air filter your car has. In engines
with a carburetor, the air filter is found in a round metal casing about 14 inches in diameter.
Air filters for more modern, fuel-injected engines are rectangular or square and are often
located on the side of the engine.

How to Check the Washer Fluid

The windshield-washer fluid reservoir is a clear plastic canister
located close to the windshield. Its typically labeled with the
words washer fluid or with a small wiper icon.
Be careful not to mistake the windshield-washer fluid reservoir
for the coolant reservoirthe markings and location (as shown in
Under the Hood of Your Car and in your owners manual) should
make it clear which is which.
1. Check the fluid against the full and low markings on the reservoir to see whether
you need to add more.
2. Use a funnel to add the washer fluid to the reservoir. Its best to buy concentrated
washing fluid and mix it with water before adding it, rather than pouring the fluid and
water into the reservoir separately. Always follow the directions on the bottle of the
windshield-washer fluid first.

If youre not sure whether your car has a carburetor or a fuel-injected engine, check your
owners manual.
Most air filters cost about five dollars. Once youve bought a new air filter, you can install
it yourself using two screwdrivers: a flat-head and a Phillips-head.
1. The air filter housing is held in place by either clips or screws. If there are clips, slide
the flat-head screwdriver in and wedge open the filter housing. If there are screws, use
the appropriate screwdriver to unscrew them.
2. Remove the air filter. It should look like a round or rectangular ruffle of paper or plastic
with a rubber rim.

How to Check the Power Steering Fluid

The power steering fluid is located in a round, clear plastic or metal reservoir near one end
of the power steering belt. If you cant find it, see the illustration in Under the Hood of Your
Car or consult your owners manual. The cap on the reservoir usually says power steering
or has a mark (such as a steering wheel icon) to show that it contains power steering fluid.
Many power steering fluid reservoirs have hot or cold level indicators. If the engine has
been running recently, the fluid in the reservoir should reach the hot level. If the car has
been off for a while, the fluid should be at the cold level.
1. If the reservoir is made of translucent plastic, you can check the fluid levels just by
looking at the side of the reservoir. If the reservoir is metal, unscrew the cap. The cap
may or may not have a dipstick attached to it.
2. To add power steering fluid, use a funnel to pour the proper amount into the reservoir.
Check your owners manual to determine which kind of fluid you should use.
Power steering fluid typically gets low only if there is a leak. If the fluid is persistently low,
bring the car to a service station to check for a leak.

How to Check the Belts and Hoses

Broken belts and hoses are among the most common causes of breakdowns. You should
check your belts and hoses every time you check your oil.

3. Clean out the air filter housing with a vacuum cleaner and then a clean rag.
4. Slide the filter into the housing.
5. Replace the air filter cover and clip or screw it on tightly.

How to Check Belts

How to Replace the Fuel Filter

Check every belt in your car. Pay close attention to:

Like the oil filter, the fuel filter should be replaced by a professional at your service station.
The fuel filter needs to be changed once a year.

Wear on the belts: Look for cracks, brittleness, fraying, or a glazed shininess.
Wear on the pulleys: Look for spots where the belts rubber has built up on the metal
wheels that drive the belts.
Belt tension: Poke your finger against the longest length of the belt. The belt should
give between a 1/2 inch and 1 full inch. No more, no less.
Belt alignment: Make sure that the belts line up straight with the drive pulleys.
Squealing sounds from the engine: These often indicate worn or damaged belts.
If you see or hear any of these warning signs, take your car to a service station. Belts should
be replaced once a year.

How to Replace the Windshield Wipers

Windshield wiper blades should be replaced every six months or so, even if there is no
visible wear or brittleness to the blades. You can buy new wiper blades online, in catalogs,
or at auto parts stores or service stations. To get the correct blades for your car, you need
to know:
The year, make, and model of your car
The length of your current blade
How the blade is attached to the wiper arm

Car Care & Roadside Emergencies

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The package you buy will contain a variety of blade attachments. Choose the one that matches the way the blade is
attached to your car.
1. Pull the windshield wiper arm gently away from the
windshield and toward you. Some blades may pull only
a few inches away from the glass. Others may swing
out nearly perpendicular to the windshield.

6. Check the battery: Cold can sap the strength of a

battery significantly, or even kill a battery entirely if it
was already weak. Get any battery more than three
years old tested at a service station, and replaced if
necessary. Also check the battery cables for cracks
and clean any corrosion from the posts.
7. Prepare for being stuck: Carry some sort of abrasive
material, such as kitty litter, to provide traction for tires
stuck in snow or ice.

How to Wash and Polish Your Car

Cleaning your car is important for more than just looks.
Clean cars are also less vulnerable to the elements and
resist rust.

How to Wash Your Car

2. Remove the blade from the arm. You may be able just
to unsnap the blade from the arm, but often you have
to depress a tab of some sort with your fingers or a
screwdriver in order to pull the blade free.
3. Install the new windshield wiper blade. If youre
installing it correctly, it should snap right into place.

4. Test the installation by turning on the wipers. They

should be tight against the windshield. If you see them
slipping, recheck the installation.

How to Winterize Your Car

Though winter is always hard on a vehicle, there are steps
you can take to reduce seasonal damage to your car and
make winter driving less dangerous.
1. Check your tires: Ice and snow are slippery for any
tire, but especially so for worn tires or tires with low
pressure. Before winter arrives, check to make sure
your tires have the correct air pressure. If you live in
a region with frequent severe snowstorms, consider
switching to snow tires or installing tire chains.
2. Inspect all belts and hoses: Cold temperatures make
old belts and hoses even more likely to snap and leak.
Its a good idea to time your yearly replacement of old
hoses and tires to coincide with the onset of winter.
3. Switch to a lighter engine oil: The cold also thickens
engine oil, making it a less effective lubricant. Changing
to a less viscous oil during the winter helps preserve
your oils lubricating efficiency. Your owners manual
should discuss the different types of oil you should use
in different temperatures.
4. Check the coolant: Make sure the antifreeze/water
mix in your coolant tank is still 50/50. You can check
the mix with an antifreeze tester, an easy-to-use
device available at most auto parts stores.
5. Check the wipers and wiper fluid: Its crucial that
your wiper blades operate at their full capacity during
winter storms. Replace your wiper blades with new
ones before each winter. Consider buying special
winterized wiper fluid that contains antifreeze. Dont
add antifreeze to your wiper fluid yourselfit will cause
the wiper fluid to streak.

1. If possible, park your car in a shady place out of direct

sunlight (to ensure that your car dries evenly).
2. Prepare a bucket of soapy water, mixing car wash soap
with water according to the directions on the bottle.
Car soap is better than other kinds of soap because its
designed to be gentler on the cars finish.
3. Rinse the car with a good hosing of water. Start with
the top and work down, ending with the tires.
4. Wash and rinse the car in sections. Work from top to
bottom. Wash and rinse the roof, then the sides, then
the hood, and then the trunk.
5. Wash and rinse each wheel.
6. Give the car one more total rinse with the hose,
working from top to bottom.
7. Dry the car with a towel, working from top to bottom.
Dry with the cloth flat against the surface, and wipe
backward in a straight line. To avoid streaks, do not use
a circular motion.
8. Wash the windows (inside and outside) with glass
cleaner, such as Windex.
9. Use a clean cloth to rub spots off the chrome.

How to Polish Your Car

1. Polish the car only after its been washed. Polishing a
dirty car wont have any effect.
2. Make sure to use car polish on your car. Read and
follow the instructions on your specific polish.
3. Work on only one part of the car at a time (roof, sides,
hood, and so on).
4. Apply to a clean terrycloth towel a dab of polish about
one inch in diameter. Using a circular motion, rub the
polish over the car. Give the polish a few minutes to
dry, then buff with a (different) clean terrycloth towel.
5. Repeat for each section of the car.

How to Touch Up Your Cars Paint

Before you can touch up any scratches or scrapes on your
cars paint job, you have to buy the right paint. The paint not
only must match your cars color but also must match the
type of paint on your car: lacquer or enamel. To match the
color, you need your cars color code. This may be printed
in the owners manual or in a tag pasted on the interior of
the car, often on the inside of the drivers side door. You
can also call the manufacturer to get both the code and the
paint type. Touch-up paint comes in both spray and bottle
form. For small scratches and scrapes, youre probably better off with a bottle.
In addition to the paint, you should buy lacquer or
enamel paint primer. Youll also need some rubbing alcohol, sandpaper, and precision touch-up applicators.
1. Use rubbing alcohol to clean the area that needs
retouching. Then scrape it clean of rust, paint, and dirt.
2. Sand the area if it needs smoothing. When sanding,
keep both the paper and the metal wet.

3. Protect surrounding areas of the car with layers of

newspaper and masking tape.
4. From a distance of one inch, spray the area with primer
and let dry for a half hour. Smooth with wet sandpaper
and clean with rubbing alcohol.
5. Apply paint just as you applied primer. Apply many thin
layers of paint rather than one thick layer.
To fix major scrapes or other imperfections in your cars
paint job, bring the car to a professional.

How to Improve Gas Mileage

Good gas mileage can save you hundreds of dollars a year
in fuel costs. Though gas mileage depends largely on the
kind of car you drive, there are some actions you can take
to make sure you get the best mileage possible for your
type of car.
Dont skip scheduled maintenance: Your cars
manual includes a section on scheduled maintenance,
which lists the mileage intervals at which your car
requires certain tune-ups. Abiding by this schedule
will ensure that your cars parts and operations stay in
top shape. The wear and tear that will arise if you skip
scheduled maintenance will make your engine work
harder, reducing your gas mileage.
Avoid stop-and-go traffic: Cars typically consume
the most gas when accelerating, so try to avoid traffic
situations that involve lots of stopping and starting.
You may have to plan alternate routes or change your
schedule to avoid this type of driving.
Dont idle: Always shut off the engine if you plan
to stop for more than one minute. Idling the engine
wastes gas.
Limit winter warm-ups: During cold weather, warm
up your car only until the temperature gauge indicates
that your engine has reached its normal operating
temperature. This should typically take no longer than
five minutes.
Reduce weight: Extra weight inside the car or trunk
reduces mileage, so keep only essentials on board.
Remove roof racks whenever not in use, as they
contribute additional weight and reduce aerodynamics,
both of which drag down mileage.
Drive 55: Driving 55 miles per hour on the highway
gives you about 15% better gas mileage than if you
drive at 65 mph, and about 25% better than if you drive
at 75 mph.
Windows and A/C: Air conditioning reduces mileage
because it uses engine power to run the cooling
systems compressor. At the same time, opening
windows makes the car less aerodynamic, which also
pulls down mileage. A compromise is to open only
one window if possible and keep the A/C turned off as
much as possible.
Check tire pressure: Always inflate tires to the
maximum suggested psi reading. Underinflated tires
create more drag and friction, reducing reduce mileage
substantially (see How to Check Tire Pressure).