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Scheduled Maintenance |
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Your vehicles
need regular maintenance to retain their safety,
dependability, performance, fuel economy, and emission
control capabilities. Regular maintenance also makes
sound financial sense. Lower-cost maintenance and
service can help prevent higher-cost repairs. Regular
maintenance will also help to prolong the life of your
tires, brakes, and other vehicle components and systems.
Preventative
Maintenance is the commonly used terminology because it
helps to prevent costly and dangerous breakdowns and
repairs. Your owner’s manual is the best source for a
list of maintenance services and the time and/or mileage
intervals at which they should be performed.
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Preventive
Maintenance |
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Air Filter |
Check it every month.
Replace it when it becomes
dirty or as part of a tune
-up. It is easy to reach,
right under the big metal
'lid', in a carbureted
engine; or in a rectangular
box at the forward end of
the air in a duct hose
assembly. |
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Battery |
Extreme caution should be
taken while handling a
battery since it can produce
explosive gases. It is
advisable not to smoke,
create a spark or light a
match near a battery. Always
wear protective glasses and
gloves. |
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Belts |
Inspect belts and hoses
smoothly. Replace glazed,
worn or frayed belts.
Replace bulging, rotten or
brittle hoses and tighten
clamps. If a hose looks bad,
or feels too soft or too
hard, it should be replaced. |
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Brake Fluid |
Check the brake fluid
monthly. First wipe dirt
from the brake master
cylinder reservoir lid. Pry
off the retainer clip and
remove the lid or unscrew
the plastic lid, depending
on which type your vehicle
has. If you need fluid, add
the improved type and check
for possible leaks
throughout the system. Do
not overfill. |
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Engine Oil |
Check the oil after every
fill up. Remove the
dipstick, wipe it clean.
Insert it fully and remove
it again. If it is low, add
oil. To maintain peak
performance, the oil should
be changed every 3,000 miles
or 3 months, whichever comes
first. Replace the oil
filter with every oil
change. |
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Exhaust |
Look underneath for loose or
broken exhaust clamps and
supports. Check for holes in
muffler or pipes. Replace
the rusted or damaged parts.
Have the emission checked at
once per year for compliance
with local laws. |
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Hoses |
Inspect the hoses and belts
monthly. If a hose looks
bad, or feels too soft or
too hard, it should be
replaced. |
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Lights |
Make sure that all your
lights are clean and
working, including the brake
lights, turn signals and
emergency flashers. Keep
spare bulbs and fuses in
your vehicle. |
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Oil Filter |
To maintain peak
performance, change oil
every 3 months or 3,000 kms
whichever comes first.
Replace oil filter with
every oil change. |
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Power Steering Fluid |
Check the power steering
fluid level once per month.
Check it by removing the
reservoir dipstick. If the
level is down, add fluid and
inspect the pump and hoses
for leaks. |
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Shock Absorbers |
Look for signs of oil
seepage on shock absorbers,
test shock action by
bouncing the car up and
down. The car should stop
bouncing when you step back.
Worn or leaking shocks
should be replaced. Always
replace shock absorbers in
pairs. |
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Tires |
Keep tires inflated to
recommended pressure. Check
for cuts, bulges and
excessive tread wear. Uneven
wear indicates tires are
misaligned or out of
balance. |
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Transmission Fluid |
Check transmission fluid
monthly with engine warm and
running, and the parking
brake on. Shift to drive,
then to park. Remove
dipstick, wipe dry, insert
it and remove it again. Add
the approved type fluid, if
needed. Never overfill. |
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Washer Fluid |
Keep the windshield washer
fluid reservoir full. Use
some of it to clean off the
wiper blades. |
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Wiper Blades |
Inspect the windscreen wiper
blades whenever you clean
your windshield. Do not wait
until the rubber is worn or
brittle to replace them.
They should be replaced at
least once per year, and
more often if smearing
occurs. |
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