The first thing you should do is check your vehicles operating manual to see how much coolant they recommend to use. I always suggest buying a little extra, just in case. Remember, always make sure the vehicle as had time to cool off. You should never check or change your coolant while the engine is hot! After you check your levels and get your tools ready you are all set to start.

The first step is to drain out the old coolant. This can be done in two ways. The first is to locate the flush screw (very much like the plug used to drain your oil) and remove it. If it is hard to loosen or will not budge then stop. Heat and corrosion can make it difficult to remove and you do not want to risk breaking it.

If you cannot remove the flush screw then all you need to do is to locate the hose located at the lowest point in the cooling system. This is easily removed by loosening the ring that clamps the hose to the cooling system with a screwdriver. After the hose is off, just drain the coolant into the containers you have set aside. Attach the hose after all the coolant has been drained and then add the required amount of coolant . After the coolant is added you should place the cap on LOOSELY so that you can flush out any air that has gotten into the system. With the cap loosely on, start the vehicle and let it run. Make sure you keep an eye on your vehicles temperature while the car is running. Once the cooling fan has turned on and is running at full blast you should let the car run for another minute and then shut it off and tighten the cap. The last step is to check for any leaks . If there are no leaks or other problems then you are ready to drive!

Again, checking your engines coolant is important to get the most out of your vehicle. This should be checked every time you change your oil and is very easy to do yourself.

Most cars are driven at least 12,000 miles each year, with many being used a great deal more than that. A car that is well maintained runs efficiently and can usually be counted on for years of reliable service. Car maintenance, though a necessity, can be quite costly. This cost leads some vehicle owners to neglect having routine services performed on their cars. They think that since their car seems to be functioning normally that they can avoid things like regular oil changes.

The reality is that if a car does not receive the regular maintenance it needs, its performance will deteriorate quickly. A few neglected oil changes that might have cost approximately $25 apiece can turn into numerous costly repairs that may have the car owner spending upwards of $1,000.

Making sure regular vehicle maintenance services are performed will actually save the car owner money in the long run and there are a few ways consumers can save a little money along the way too.

If you have a garage or know someone who does, consider performing routine maintenance, like oil changes and tire rotations, yourself. It would probably be helpful to have a maintenance and repair manual for your vehicle to which you can refer as you perform the service. Call upon friends and family members who may have experience working on cars to lend a hand. Make it a party with pizza and beer and the work will be finished in no time.

If the thought of working on your own car gives you sweaty palms, then maybe a little Internet research is in order. Lots of mechanics, tire shops, and oil change centers offer coupons on their websites. While you’re doing some research, also look for special promotional deals, such as a repair shop that has a package deal. You may be able to get a tire rotation thrown in for free when you take in your car for an oil change.

Like any other product or service, you can find better deals on car maintenance by shopping around. Use the Internet, but also make a few phone calls. When a specific service needs to be performed on your car, call several shops in the local area and ask for quotes. You’ll likely be surprised at the wide variety of prices that will be quoted for the same or similar services.

Once your car is in the shop, beware of the extra services the technicians will likely try to sell to you. If you know that your car only needs an oil change, then stick with an oil change. The mechanic will want to sell a fuel line flush and a number of other services which it is entirely likely your car does not need. Stick to your guns on this and just keep repeating, no thank you.

Products like air filters and burned out headlights are another thing. The service person will probably want to sell and install replacement parts immediately. After all, your car is already there and being worked on. What could be easier? If your car really does need a new air filter or headlight and you really don’t want to tangle with changing them yourself, it might be a good deal. However, you’ll probably save quite a bit of money by buying the part at a supply store and installing it yourself.

Most urban areas have a community college or trade school that feature a program for training mechanics. Give them a call and see if they are looking for cars to practice on. Usually you’ll get the decent service you need at a substantially reduced rate.

Oil Change

The oil in your vehicle should be checked on a regular basis to make sure it is at the right level. You need to change it every 3,000 miles or every 3 months. Make sure you always change the oil filter too at each oil change session. Running your oil too long causes it to break down. It also increases the amount of friction between the moving parts. These parts include the cam shaft and crank shaft, bearings, valve guides, and piston rings. As a result the life expectancy of your engine will be significantly reduced.

Tires

Your tires should be inspected for uneven wear patterns and incorrect tire pressure frequently. Get into the habit of rotating your tires approximately every 5,000 miles. Keep track of which tires you move where too so that they will eventually all be on each location of the vehicle. Keeping your car well aligned will also help to keep your tires in good condition.

Brakes

Your brake pads and shoes should be checked periodically. If you run them too long you will allow the brake pad material to wear off completely. This will allow metal to metal contact on those surfaces. Then you will have to replace the brakes and other parts in addition. These parts may not have needed to be replaced if the brakes weren’t run so long before being inspected and replaced.

Lights

Check to make sure all of your lights are operating like they should be. This includes your turn signals, brake lights, tail lights, and headlights. You need to make sure they all work properly so that you don’t get into an accident. If you have to stop suddenly or change lanes other drivers won’t be able to know your next move if those lights aren’t working like they should be.

Cooling System

You need to make sure your coolant level is full so that your vehicle won’t overheat. Most manufacturers recommend that the coolant be flushed at certain intervals so look at your owner’s manual for those details. Your coolant is also a lubricant for the water pump so it is very important you check the levels on a regular basis.

Hoses

There are many hoses that belong to your engine, and they all need to be checked. Look for signs of wear or them rubbing on other areas of the engine. They can get cracked due to the weather so replace them before they start to leak. Make sure all of the clamps are tight on them too.

Battery

Test your battery to make sure it is holding a charge. You need to make sure your cables are tight too. It is a good idea to check them when you change your oil. Keep an eye on the date of your battery too so you can replace it before it leaves you stranded.

Belts

Change the belts on your car at the first sign of wear or dry rot. If a belt fails you may be left without air conditioning or a dead battery due to the alternator not having a belt to provide power.

Fuel Filters

Check your owner’s manual to find out the recommended life of your fuel filter. You want to change it accordingly to prevent vapor locking from occurring with your vehicle. A clean fuel filter also allows your vehicle to operate more efficiently.

Transmission and Other Gear Box Fluids

The owner’s manual should state the life expectancy of the fluids in your transmission and gear box. It should also tell you what types of fluids that you should use to fill them with. Make sure you pay close attention to the capacity for them too as you don’t want to overfill.

Changing your own transmission fluid can be done on your own in very much the same way as changing your oil, although can be a little more challenging. All you need are a jack and lifts, a socket set, and container for the old fluid.

The first step is to check your transmission fluid level in the car. You will need to start the engine and warm it up so you can get an accurate reading. Check your transmission fluid dipstick to check the level and color of the fluid. If the fluid looks clean then you are ready to go! Jack the car up, making sure to block the rear tires, and get the car up on stands (location of the stands will vary from car to car, so check your owners manual). Once the car is secure, then it is time to locate the transmission pan. Sometimes they are in a convenient location and will come with a drain plug. If this is the case, then proceed the same way as you would change your oil.

In some cars, the transmission pan will be blocked by either the exhaust system or the oil pan. If so, then you will need to remove some of those components to continue. Another common issue is the lack of drain plug for the transmission pan. If this is the case, then the transmission pan will need to be totally removed to fully drain out the old fluid. Just make sure you know where all the parts that you removed to get to the transmission pan go, or you could be in for a headache. I always suggest labeling the parts in individual containers to help with this.

After the hard work is done, all that is left to do is to check the fluid level and take the car for a test drive. Remember, the temperature of your transmission fluid fluctuates a lot during everyday driving. Stop and go traffic, hauling heavy loads, and long distance driving can easily keep the fluid from the optimum operating temperature. So remember, make sure to check your transmission fluid every 20,000 miles or so to make sure that you are getting the most from your car or truck!

First of all, it is best to have some knowledge of electrical circuits, as well as the service manual for your vehicle, but if you don’t have either, you can still try the following steps as long as you’re careful. You will need a screwdriver, a test light, and jumper wires.

Park your care somewhere safe and free from traffic. If you need a key in the ignition for your windows to work, insert it. Additionally, make sure the lock control switch in the driver’s window panel is turned on, if you have one, so all the window switches in the car will work.

Next, you will want to look at the main power window breaker or fuse if you have found that none of the vehicle’s windows will wind up or down. Typically, the main fuse box in a car can be found on the driver’s side of the vehicle under the dashboard. Look for the power window fuse; if it is blown out, you can replace it, and that may be all it takes to get the windows working again.

If that doesn’t work, the next step is to use a test light to check each of the wires that run from the master control switch to the fuse box. Using a screwdriver will enable you to remove the control switch from the panel in most cars. First attach the test light wire to a solid ground. Then turn the ignition switch and use the test light tip to touch wires that are connected to the control switch. The test light should light if voltage is reaching the control switch. If it does not, the problem probably lies from the wire that runs from the fuse box, the wire that runs power to the power window switch, or some wire connections in between.

Another location to check is at the switch of the window that doesn’t work. This is a good place to start if only one of the windows does not work. Again, using a screwdriver will enable you to pull up the switch in most cars. As before, attach the test light to a suitable ground, and then operate the switch while touching each end of the electrical connectors of the switch. Again, the test light should come on. If it does not, look to see if there is an opening in the wire that runs from the main control switch. Alternatively, if the test light only lights on one end of the switch and not the other, this suggests a defective switch that you should have replaced. If the light does work on both sides, use the test light as before on the power window motor.

As you can see, there are some basic things you can try before taking your car in to a mechanic. If none of these strategies work, it may be another kind of problem that may take more knowledge to identify and repair. Don’t be afraid to take the vehicle in for an estimate if you can’t get it working on your own. If the window motor is gone, it is often possible to get a used motor installed for considerably less than the cost of a new one, and your car dealer may be able to find you one if you ask.