| Like everything else that is worth keeping in perfect | | | | ride regularly, religiously even. You do not even have |
| working condition, you should take preventive | | | | to buy those really expensive car soaps; there are |
| measures when it comes to car maintenance. More | | | | less costly brands out there that work just as well. |
| often than not, people take their cars to the | | | | Detergent usually found around the house may be |
| mechanic only when there is something horribly | | | | used if you are in a pinch, but you must remember |
| wrong with the ride (i.e. when the engine isnt working | | | | that some of these can be harsh to your paint job, |
| anymore or when a small fire has started | | | | so use sparingly. A little waxing once in a while helps |
| somewhere under the hood.) These are extreme | | | | keep paint corrosion at bay. If you are extremely |
| cases, of course, but it does illustrate clearly how | | | | pressed for time, we highly recommend that you |
| ignoring simple cues can lead to lot of headache for | | | | head on out to the car wash for professional service. |
| you. | | | | An oil leak (or any pool of liquid, for that matter) on |
| People often cite costliness as the primary reason | | | | your garage floor is an indication that something is |
| why they do not take their cars to the local | | | | amiss. This may seem like an innocuous thing, but this |
| mechanic on a regular basis. However, the simple task | | | | can actually lead to a whole lot of (expensive) |
| of taking your car for a yearly check-up and tune-up | | | | complications in the future. Brake fluid leaks are |
| can actually save you a bundle in the long run. If you | | | | especially dangerous since with all probability, you |
| really want to keep a steady eye on your car | | | | would need to brake sometime while using your car. |
| maintenance expenses, you may want to patronize | | | | An oil leak, on the other hand, is an indication that |
| the services of a mechanic that you can explicitly | | | | your engine is clogged, and if this problem is not |
| trust not to rip you off. If you do not know anyone, | | | | resolved quickly, you will be seeing a lot more trips to |
| you might ask a friend or relative to refer someone | | | | the mechanic. You can check for leaks by simply |
| trustworthy. | | | | parking your car in the same exact spot every night. |
| Also, by simply taking account the minor changes in | | | | Any pool of liquid underneath your car should be your |
| your car like a small rattling sound when you start | | | | cue to take your car to the mechanic. |
| the engine or a slower reaction to turns - and taking | | | | As for your car engine, you can use a dry cloth to |
| your ride immediately to the expert, you may avoid | | | | wipe away visible oil spatters or dirt. Never hose |
| further and more expensive complications. | | | | down your car engine, because water can get into |
| On your own, you can perform basic car | | | | the electrical connections, which may make |
| maintenance that leans towards preventive | | | | everything go hay-wire. Every once in a while, check |
| measures: | | | | to see if the oil spatters and dirt reappear; if they |
| If you want to keep your car looking exactly like it | | | | do, it would be best to head on out to the local |
| did when you first bought it, you need to wash your | | | | mechanic. |