NORWALK, Conn., Nov. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- It has happened to almost everyone. You take your vehicle in to get your oil changed and are bombarded with a list of other issues with your car - the air filter is dirty, the transmission oil needs to be changed and the list goes on. It's not always easy knowing what needs to be done. According to Automotive News, 44 million used vehicles were purchased in 2005 - more than double the 17 million new vehicles purchased in the same time period. And unless you bought your vehicle from the dealership and receive notices of when to bring your car in for basic maintenance, you're probably flying blind when it comes to a timeline of when to address these issues. "Fortunately, most basic car maintenance runs on a cyclical schedule that is universal to many car models," said AutoVantage spokesperson Liz Allison. "You can easily develop and maintain a schedule by yourself - even without any major mechanical knowledge." "While you may not know how to fix your car, it's helpful to know what needs to be done before you drive into the work bay at the mechanic's shop," said Mike Wain, vice president of AutoVantage. "Having a basic idea of what standard check-ups should be done, and when, can save you money and prevent major repairs down the road." AutoVantage developed the following general list of some of the major areas you should check and a schedule based on mileage for when to do so. But this is not a complete list. You should always defer to your car's owner manual when determining the best maintenance schedule for your specific car. If your vehicle did not come with a manual, most automakers provide an electronic version of their manuals online for free or a minimal fee.
-- Once a month - Tire pressure, lights and fluid levels - There are
several check-ups that you can do without ever setting foot in your
mechanic's shop - and with little to no car knowledge. One such task is
checking your tire pressure. All four tires and your vehicle's spare
should be checked at least once a month to ensure they are properly
inflated to the recommended tire pressure, or psi (pounds per square
inch). Tires can lose up to half their inflation pressure and not
appear to be flat. When checking your tires, locate the recommended
tire pressure on the tire information placard or in the owner's manual.
Some cars have the same amount of pressure in all tires while others
use different amounts of pressure in front and rear tires. The tire
placard or user's manual should indicate this.
Use a tire gauge to check each tire's pressure when the car is "cold"
(hasn't been used in the last three hours). If the pressure is too
high, release some pressure by gently pressing on the tire valve with
the edge of your tire gauge. If the pressure is too low, add the
missing pounds of pressure at a service station. Anytime one of your
vehicle's lights goes out, including headlights, taillights and front
and rear turn signals, it should be replaced immediately. Most light
replacements can be found at your local motor parts store, and many
times the associates at these stores will help replace your light free
of charge. For specialty models, you may have to visit your dealership.
Many of your basic fluid levels, including your oil, coolant and
windshield wiper fluid, can also be checked on a regular basis with
ease.
-- Every 3,000-5,000 miles - Engine oil and filter and major fluid levels
- Having your oil changed is a vital part of your overall engine
health. Oil is the lubricant that prevents engine parts from rubbing
together and creating excessive wear. When you change your oil, the
filter should also be replaced. When you have your oil changed, many
major oil change and repair shops will offer as part of their oil
change package a review of your other major fluids (i.e.
antifreeze/coolant, and brake, transmission, power steering and
windshield washer fluids), as well as checking your belts. If your
mechanic does not include this fluid check with your oil change, be
sure to check and top-off these fluids yourself or request they be
checked.
-- Every 5,000-7,500 - Tire rotation and air filter - Regular tire
rotation helps prevent irregular wear of your tires. To prevent making
pricey tire replacements prematurely, it's recommended that you rotate
your tires every 5,000-7,500 miles. Depending on your vehicle, there
are several different rotating patterns to create even wear and get
maximum mileage out of your tires. Consult a site such as
www.tiresafety.com/maintenance to see what's right for your vehicle.
Your air filter should also be checked around the same time. Oil and
air are critical to a healthy engine. The air filter keeps dust and
other contaminants out of the engine. Depending on the type of terrain
you customarily drive on (i.e. dirt roads), your air filter may need to
be changed more often. You can also find most air filters at your local
motor parts store.
-- Every 30,000-60,000 miles - Transmission fluid, fuel filter, spark
plugs and timing belt - While transmission fluid doesn't burn like oil,
it still needs to be changed periodically. This task is a little
pricier than the average oil change, but it is critical to the health
of your transmission, just as oil is to the engine. At the same time,
you should also replace all of your spark plugs, fuel filter and timing
belt. This will help keep your car running at its peak performance
level.
Remember, this is not a complete list of maintenance for your car, but a guide to several of the basics. Consult your owner's manual or visit a site such as www.carcare.org for a complete recommended schedule. And next time you're asked when you go in for an oil change if you would like this-or-that replaced or changed, you can answer with confidence if the timing is right. Liz Allison, a spokesperson for AutoVantage, is a NASCAR TV personality, radio host and best-selling author. She has served as a racing analyst for TNT, CNNSI, TNN, CNN, ESPN and ESPN2. Allison has appeared on NBC's "Today Show," CNN, Fox and Friends, ESPN, MSNBC, Fox News Weekend Live and the Speed Channel. She is host of the No. 1 NASCAR radio show in Nashville, called "The Drivers Zone," on WGFX-FM. Allison is also host and track announcer for the Nashville Superspeedway. She is the best-selling author of "The Girl's Guide to NASCAR" - and has written two sequels for Time Warner Books, the first of which was released Sept. 6 Allison has written three NASCAR Harlequin Romance novels, the first slated for November 2007 publication. She has penned articles for USA Today, NASCAR Scene, NASCAR Illustrated, NASCAR.com, MSN.com and FoxSports.com. About AutoVantage Members of AutoVantage (http://www.autovantage.com/ or 1-800-876-7787) can save from 5 to 20 percent on car care at some 19,000 service locations, including participating AAMCO, Jiffy Lube, Meineke and American Car Care Center locations. AutoVantage also offers 24-hour nationwide emergency towing, roadside assistance, and lockout protection from its network of more than 10,000 emergency roadside assistance providers. Trip routing for maps and door-to-door driving directions across the U.S. are also included. AutoVantage is offered by Affinion Group, a leader in the membership, insurance and loyalty marketing businesses, providing products and services that touch the lives of millions of Americans. About Affinion Group, Inc. As a global leader with nearly 35 years of experience, Affinion Group (www.affinion.com) enhances the value of its partners' customer relationships by developing and marketing valuable loyalty, membership, checking account, insurance and other compelling products and services. Leveraging its expertise in product development and targeted marketing, Affinion helps generate significant incremental revenue for more than 5,200 affinity partners worldwide, including many of the largest and most respected companies in financial services, retail, travel, and Internet commerce. Based in Norwalk, Conn., the company has approximately 3,000 employees throughout the United States and in 14 countries across Europe.
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Liz Allison
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