Keeping Your Car's Fluid Levels in Check

One of the major components of car care is making sure your fluid levels are in check. In particular, your oil, your transmission fluid and your coolant, or anti-freeze as some of you may know it.

Let's start with your oil. Oil levels need to be checked monthly. Find your dip stick, pull it out, wipe it off, shove it back in and carefully pull it back out. Your oil should be a nice translucent light brownish color. It it's black, it's time for an oil change. If it's milky you may have bigger problems and you definitely need to have it looked at. Look at your dip stick after a fresh dip and make sure your oil line is where it should be. There is an indicator on the stick that will help you determine that. If you need oil, either top it off with some new oil or bring it to someone who knows how to add oil, if you don't. Either way, your oil should be changed out completely every three months for optimal results.

Your next step is to check your transmission fluid. It's very much like checking your oil but your car has to be running and in park, of course, before you pull out your dip stick. Pull your dip stick, wipe it and shove it back in and pull out again. This time look at your levels, again there is an indicator to help with this. Transmission fluid should be a nice pink or red color and should not smell likes its burned. If levels are low then either top it off or see your local lube shop for some assistance.

Lastly, it's important that your coolant is at a proper level. Coolant does just what is sounds like, it cools the engine. No coolant can be very bad. Your engine can seize up entirely and then you won't be going anywhere in that vehicle for a long time, if ever again. Make sure your engine is off and that your vehicle is completely cooled before you touch your radiator cap. Another good tip is to make sure your car is on level ground. If your coolant is low, certainly add more but know that if this keeps happening, you probably have a leak and you need to have your radiator checked out soon. Coolant should be changed about every 2 years.

Paul's Auto Care

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Snowden_Cane

How to Maintain, Diagnose, and Replace Car Batteries

Batteries are designed with a specific life-span and their performance will decline after this time, requiring they be refurbished or replaced. Car batteries appear to be taking the brunt of the demands from all the impressive advances made in the car industry. Many auto accessories, aftermarket car parts, and high tech car stereos use large amounts of electricity which strains the battery.
There are steps you can take to extend the life of your battery so that it will not need to be replaced as frequently. Wash the terminals often to ensure they don't corrode and cause problems with the electrical current. Try using pressurized water, like a hose, and a wire brush for the best results. Also, you may want to purchase a can of foam battery cleaner at your local parts store to help loosen any stuck on dirt.
Often there will be signs that the battery is beginning to wear out. Maybe the car doesn't start right away as it once used to, or it needs a jump when sitting idle for just a few days. When you start noticing such signs, check first to make sure the cables are still secure and have not come loose from the battery. The needless shaking in car batteries may cause cells to deteriorate, which has the effect of diminishing the operating life of your battery.
If your battery is truly dead and can't be revived, you will need to go to an auto parts store for a replacement battery. If you don't know the battery type your car requires, there are several ways to find out. All batteries should have a "group size" number on printed on them to help with replacement. But if not, your auto parts store will have a manual where you can look up the correct battery type for your car by vehicle make and model.
If you need assistance with the installation of the battery, do not hesitate to ask an employee for help. The people that work in these stores are experts in car repairs and will be happy to assist you. However, some auto parts stores charge a fee for this service, so be sure to ask prior to the installation of your new car battery.
When asked about skilled Orange County auto repair, Joe Drizcoll recommends AAMCO. As a retired mechanic, Joe knows the value of an honest, hard working mechanic and knows anyone in need of a La Habra oil change, battery service, or transmission repair will be pleased with their results.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Drizcoll

Automobile Repairs and Fixes

There is never a fun time to find out you need to perform repairs on your vehicle. There are many things that can go wrong with your automobile and this article will outline some of the problem areas and what you might expect.
Flat Tire This is a common problem with cars and trucks and is relatively easy to fix, especially if you have a tire jack and a spare in the trunk. You can also try those flat in a bottle sprays that will help seal up the tire and may let you drive home and get a permanent fix. Flat tires can be caused by nails, glass or you might be driving along too fast and hit a dip in the road real hard.
Transmission Trouble This is one problem that is not fun to hear. If you have trouble shifting or your car is automatically shifting when you don't want it to, that's a sign that you may need your transmission looked at. A simple fix might set you back only $500 or so, but those are rare. Often if there's something really wrong with the transmission it may need to be totally rebuilt. If your tranny needs to be completely redone, you could be looking at a $2,000 problem, unless you want to buy the parts and tackle the problem yourself.
Broken or Chipped Window If you do much freeway driving invariably a small rock or pebble will bounce up and hit you in the windshield. If you see a tiny little ding or crack, take it to a window repair shop right away as they might be able to seal that up before it blows up and ruins the entire window. If the window gets wrecked you could be looking at a $250 to $500 fix depending on the type of car or truck you have.
These are just a few of the things that you might have to worry about when it comes to repairing your vehicle. Make sure to take your car in for preventative maintenance and you will stay on top of things which could help you save money in the long run.
If you really want to save cash on your car or truck, you need to compare car insurance rates and see what premium is the lowest for your family. Don't hesitate to put money back in your hand, learn how at http://www.carinsurancequotescomparison.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chad_R_Fisher