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CAR CARE TIPSAug 18 '00 (Updated Oct 15 '00) Write an essay on this topic.Sometimes we take our cars for granted, especially when they have not given us a lot of trouble. When we act as if they will continue to serve us with the same good performance without any extra care, we are making a big mistake. A car is just a machine and as such needs periodic maintenance to avoid mechanical as well as safety problems. Have a mechanic check the brakes and inspect the fuel-injection, engine timing and the exhaust system to maintain peak fuel economy and head-off any serious problems. You can check your battery for fluid level if you do not have a maintenance-free battery. Also check for loose cable connections and corrosion, weakened clamps and cracks in the battery case. Remember to wear safety glasses when doing these checks. Flush your radiator every two years and make sure that it always has the required coolant. In winter, make sure to keep your tank as full as possible at all times to prevent gas line freezing. Your oil and oil filter should be replaced every 3000 miles or every three months, whichever comes first. Make periodic checks of your transmission fluid. Add fluid when necessary and change filter as recommended in your owner's manual. Change your air filter every 7500 miles. Replace old or worn windshield wiper blades and keep the wiper fluid reservoir filled with no-freeze fluid. Regularly check your tires for tread wear and keep inflated at the recommended air pressure. Make sure that your car's drive belts are tight and not cracked or frayed. Replace hoses that are soft or brittle. Hoses and belts can be replaced for a small price but can cause big trouble when they break unexpectedly. You should keep a flashlight, ice scraper, sand or cat litter (for traction), flares, portable tire pump, jumper cables, etc. in your trunk since even the best maintained vehicles can be involved in emergency situations. It is also a good idea to keep a small kit of medical supplies--bandages, etc.--in your glove compartment.  |
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