how do i take care of a car?

Question

okay so here's the thing, i have always shared a car with my brother and he always handled the maintenance, oil changing and everything else. well i am going to get my own car and i have no idea about any of the basic maintenance things i am supposed to know about a car. like, how often do i have to change the oil, how foten do i have to put water in it and i know there's other stuff ur supposed to do but i have no idea what...heeelllppp! i want to take really good care of it but no idea how. all real advice is greatly appreciated

Answer 1

check the oil, water and brake fluid once a week

Answer 2

Oil changes: 3000 miles
Timing belt/tune up etc: 60,000 miles
Coolant should be flushed and replaced every 2-3 years
Trans fluid is 50-60,000 miles, if the car is RWD the diff fluid should be changed as well
Tires: check your tire pressure at least one to two times a month and look at your tread to make sure its not worn out
brakes, if they squeak they need replaced, they have tabs that squeak to let you know they're about worn out
Anything else, noises or the car not driving right etc, just get it checked out ASAP, people often don't want to pay to have a car fixed, and many times it ends up costing much more in the long run.

Answer 3

There's a maintenance schedule printed right in your owner's manual.

Change your oil more often though, or use synthetic oil. They often say "You can go 7500 miles between oil changes" like an advertising boast to try to convince people the car needs less maintenance, but just about everyone agrees you should change oil/filter every 3000. So that's not a salesjob :) Now, synthetic oil is claimed for 15000 miles, but most people will say, again, change it more often.

Learn to CHECK your oil and tires every fill-up ... ahhh I'm rambling... it's all in the owner's manual and it's easy.

P.S. listen to the guy who says be proud of your car and give it good lovin' :)

Answer 4

oil every 3000 miles or less change it water when it gets low or before winter but use antifreeze tires when you dont feel confortable driving on them air pressure in tires about once a month check oil every time you start the car and check all fluids before you drive if you have an automatic trans you have to drive the car before you can get an accurate reading and when you do check it leave the car running tune up about every100,000 miles depending on your driving habits and if you live in the city or the country cause stop and go will make it so you have to change the plugs more often check the air filter about once every 3 months hope this helps you

Answer 5

1.Your car should have an owners manual in the glove compartment that will give you a list of things to do and how often. 2. Also, when you buy a used car, you should have a mechanic check it out He/she will tell you what should be done. 3.Any major oil change establishment will check the radiator, tires and all such whenever you have the oil changed.

Answer 6

When in doubt always refer to the car handbook in the glove compartment. There are pages that directly refer to the "Maintenance Schedule". In there you'll find all factory recommended specifications for replacement fluids.

If I had your e-mail address I'd be glad to spend an extended amount of time with my suggestions pertaining to your specific car that you plan to have. Certain cars always have different time limits to do individual services. Without knowing positively what car your referring to I'd be waisting oxygen and wasting your and my time trying to feed you generalities.
I pride myself to be specific and truthful.
If you care to, enter your question again with your specific car make, model and year of production and I promise to help all I possibly can.
Looking to hear from you ! Good Luck.

Answer 7

This should help ..
How you view your car may determine how well you tend to treat it. If you see it as a mere conveyance, you may give it little thought. If you consider it a proud possession, you probably will be more attentive. But no matter how you relate to your vehicle, it is important to care for it in specific ways that will maintain its reliability, preserve its drivability and protect its resale value.

This section explains each service that most vehicles require. We talk about why it is important, how to determine if it is needed and how often it should be done.

(see web page for more)

Answer 8

go buy car ,whatever one that you want ......

then go buy yourself a haynes maintence book to match ....

then anything you need to do will be there in a step by step guide (also with pictures showing what to do )....

happy motoring...

Answer 9

READ the car manual baby.....