Car Care

[Texasmujer]

Transmission Tips---
*Don't ride the brakes
* If you need to add transmission fluid, check for leakage.
* If you do heavy hauling (trailer towint or other heavy
loads) consider instaling an auxiliary transmission cooler


As The Seasons Change---
FOR WINTER---Your car requires special maintenance before cold weather so it will operate cmoothly all winter long. Be sure to do the following:
* Tune the engine
* CXheck the battery cables and have a mechanic determine if the battery itself is fully charged.
* Check all lights for working bulkbs and clean lenses
* Inspect wipers and washers, and make sure the washer
reservoir is filled with fluid that contains windshield washer antifreeze (not engine antifreeze). Put a jug of extra washer fluid in the trunk.
* Check defrosters and defoggers.
* Rotate the tires.
* Have the exhaust system checked. It must be in perfect shape when you drive with the windows closed. The smallest leak in the muffler or exhaust pipes can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
* Stock your trunk with galoshes, extra gloves, an ice scraper and brush, aerosol de-icer, tire chains, jumper cables, a bag of sand, and a small shovel.

FOR SUMMER---Avoid warm weather prolems by preparing ahead of time:
* Check all belts and hoses.
* Check the antifreeze concentration. If necessary, have the cooling system flushed, the pressure tested, and the thermostat checked.
* Have the air-conditioning system tested.

[Texasmujer]

Make sure your car is well supplied at all times. Some ideas are:
* TISSUES: Keep those little packets in your glove compartment and you'll be surprised how much tissue you go through in a week. They're especially handy when you don't get napkins at the drive-through; when you get gasoline on your hands; and when you have a deposit of film on your windshield.

* FLARES: They always seemed like such overkill---but if you ever have problems on a highway at night, you'll really
want people to notice you. Carefully follow thedirections printed on the wrapper. Generally, you'll remove the cap and use it as a striker to light the flare like match, but read the instructionc to make sure your particular flare isn't idiosyncratic. Three flares are ideal for alerting other motorists: place them about 20 feet (6.1 m) apart, starting directly behind your vrhicle and working backward. If you have only one flare, put it 20 to 30 feet (6.1-9.2 m)
behind your car.

* TIRE REPAIR GEAR: Your gear should include a standard jack,a tire inflator spray can, and a spare tire (and a spare shirt while you're at it). Be sure you're familiar with the tire-changing basics---if you haven't already learned to change a tire, ask a trusted friend or your friendly neighborhood mechanic to give you a quick lesson.


* JUMPER CABLES: You never know when or where you're going to end up with a dead battery, so it'a worth your while to buy jumper cables. (Most companies charge at least $40 for coming out to jump your battery, and the kind person who stops to see if you're okay might not have a set of her own.)

* TRUNK STUFFERS: Windshield-wiper fluid, motor oil, transmission fluid, and an empty gas can are always good things to have in your trunk. Be sure also to tuck away a first aid kit containing pain relievers, scissors, gauze, mecial tape, disinfectant, burn ointment, adhesive bandages in various sizes, a vaacuum packed thermal blanket, and a couple o fssurvival wafers. (you can purchase these kits at virtually any automotive supply store or one-stop franchise superstore.) Add a couple bottles of water, and you've got all the basics.