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Preventative Maintenance

Putting an end to unplanned-for repairs

People are funny when it comes to maintaining their automobiles. The very same folks that meticulously trim their lawns down to the last blade, or care for their felines to the point of turning their furry pals into hypochondri-cats will sometimes drive their helpless cars or trucks into the ground without thought to ever changing the oil, rotating the tires, flushing the coolant system, or performing other routine maintenance. At the other end of this scale is usually a mechanic or service manager getting an earful about how a melted engine could not possibly have been caused by neglect.

Other folks genuinely try to care, but get sidetracked by the barrage of information that is the modern world. Oil changes and fluid flushes sometimes honestly get forgotten. The key point to remember here is that the difference between long and trouble-free vehicle life and constant and expensive repairs is relatively inexpensive preventative maintenance.

All Of Oils

Regularly changing the oil is the fountain of youth when it comes to long vehicle life and trouble-free motoring. Engine oil not only lubricates and protects all of the moving parts inside an engine from premature wear, but as it circulates also rids the engine of crud and grime by holding them in suspension. Changing the oil and filter means getting rid of the grime. Fresh oil protects against premature wear.

Automatic transmission fluid, rear differential gear oil, manual transmission gear oil, and even some power steering fluids are all specialized oils that must also be changed according to a strict schedule. Keep in mind that city driving, frequent short trips, and other vehicular punishment may qualify as "severe duty" driving, and shorten the time between recommended changes. Always use only oils of the recommended type and viscosity. Remember: No snake oil or miracle fluids will ever take the place of regular and methodical oil changes. Oil is the lifeblood of the modern automobile engine.

Dusty Clutches

Clutches, brake pads and brake shoes all fall into a somewhat odd category because they are designed to wear out from the start. Disc brakes employ brake pads to pinch a rotating steel disc to scrub off speed. Drum brakes use brake shoes to put a foot against the rotating drum to stop the vehicle. Clutches are like flat brake pads in the round, and engage against the steel surface of a rotating flywheel attached to the engine crankshaft to transfer or disengage engine power to the wheels.

Every time the brakes are applied, or the clutch is engaged or released, a small amount of the material is worn away in the process. Regular inspection of the brake pads, shoes, and clutch is important not only to safe operation of the vehicle, but to keep repair costs at bay. Once the material is gone, the steel backing of the pads or clutch disc can cause expensive and irreparable component damage.

Electrical Levity

The modern automobile depends on electricity for a great number of things. Storing and supplying power to turn the engine starter is first on the list; providing the spark that lights aflame the fuel inside the cylinders; lighting up the road in dead of night; the opening and closing of windows. Electricity can even keep behinds toasty thanks to seat warmers. Even with modern, maintenance-free batteries and individual coil-per-cylinder ignitions doing away with spark plug wires and moving ignition parts, regular maintenance is still required.

Battery terminals can get corroded with gunk and lose efficiency. Alternator belts can get old and cracked. Belt inspection is especially important today, as a modern serpentine belt turns all engine-driven accessories. Game over if it breaks. Batteries themselves also have a limited lifespan and should be tested according to service schedules. Spark plug wires, plugs, distributor caps and rotors, and all other parts that transfer, store, or distribute electricity should always be in tiptop condition.

Fluid Motion

Beyond oils there are other fluids to consider. Coolant should be changed and the cooling system flushed at least once every two years to prevent corrosion buildup. Once corrosion takes hold of the coolant, the radiator, hoses, water pump and even coolant channels within the engine can become clogged or worn. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, which means it attracts moisture. Moisture trapped in the brake fluid does very bad things. Master cylinders, caliper pistons, wheel cylinders, and even brake lines can become corroded.

Corrosion causes these components to wear prematurely. Changing out the brake fluid jettisons this moisture and prevents internal part wear. A secondary and not any less important benefit to fluid flushing and bleeding brake systems is that moisture in the brake fluid lowers brake fluid boiling point. Brakes turn inertia into heat, so low brake fluid boiling temperatures is extremely dangerous. Boiling brake fluid turns into a vapor, and can render the brakes useless.

Knowledge is Power

As always, the key to long vehicle life is frequency of preventative maintenance. Maintenance schedules rely on knowing and following the manufacturer's recommended intervals. These intervals can be found in the vehicle owner's manual. If the vehicle is used, has no owner's manual, or has uncertain maintenance history, the best advice is to start fresh.

Online tools like the Valvoline Vehicle Manager (www.vehiclemanager.com) store maintenance schedule data for thousands of vehicles and can help owners to remember to maintain their vehicles now for the future. Signing up and entering your vehicle make, year, model, and type will result in an easy-to-follow instant schedule, and even e-mail alerts to help you stick to a schedule that both you and your vehicles can live with. Remembering to perform required maintenance is half the battle, after all.