I just bought myself a car. It's the first car in the family so I can't ask anyone at home. All I have been doing so far is to fill up the gas tank and drive.
Now I know I should get an oil change every x months or x km driven. What else is there in terms of car maintenance? Once a month car wash to keep the car rust free? Or is that rust proofing? I am reading online something about transmission fluid, brake fluid, and steering fluid. How do I know what to do with those or when? I don't want to show up in a garage and let them sell me things I don't really need. I read horror stories about those places online. I just want to know from a fellow car owner on how you maintain your vehicle. Yes, I am an absolute noob when it comes to this matter.What are some basic car maintenance tips?
Here is the website on the subject. http://www.samarins.com/maintenance/simpWhat are some basic car maintenance tips?
I am also a noob
bumpWhat are some basic car maintenance tips?
When ever I bought a used car the first thing I would do is go out and buy a repair manual for my car make and model. Saves you money, shows you how to do some basic repairs, trouble shoot, explains how things work. Invaluable tool. You can teach yourself to do some basic repairs and upkeep, thus keeping money in your pocket. Knowledge is the key. Give you an example. My son purchased a Ford ranger and one day his truck overheated, he of course had not taken an interest in car maintenance and decided to take it to Pep Boys. Before he took it there I had suggested to him check the most inexpensive item first, then work your way. I suggested it would be his thermostat and to look online and see where it is located. He dismissed my thoughts as an old mother's lack of knowledge. Anyways he comes back to me one day and ask what does he need to fix the thermostat, I tell him what to do and we have it fixed in under one hour. He says thanks mom, they wanted to charge me $100 to do the same thing! His cost under $10 saved $90What are some basic car maintenance tips?
By far the most important thing you can do is read through the periodic maintenance section of the owner's manual. Toyota has a separate pamphlet called Passport to Maintenance for the schedule, and I figure other brands have something similar. In any case, reviewing what is required will probably reveal a surprise or two. There may be timing belt replacement intervals which must be followed lest the Grim Reaper of engines visit you while you are driving so pleasantly.
More and more automatic transmissions require frequent fluid replacement, while some (I'm thinking of GM) aren't even checked between change intervals. For all fluids, adhere to the change (and flush, if specified) interval religiously. Oil is still important, but transmission fluids and coolants have become every bit as critical. I never add brake fluid between brake jobs, because the drop in the fluid level is either a good indication of the pads being worn enough to inspect or a leak that must be fixed.
I also recommend you have the shop that will repair your worst problems be the one that does the routine maintenance, especially if it is the dealership. The shop can be a good friend to have if you are having warranty problems and can easily save you hundreds of dollars over the life of the car.
Oh - most important: enjoy your new car! If you don't enjoy it you won't care about it and it will never be worth what you spend.
