By Typically, much cheaper carry out daily car maintenance to forget about it until waver. Brake fluid, oil, timing belt … are elements with a specific useful life; replace them early can save us a lot of money.
Better safe: this maxim is valid for almost everything in this life and the car is part of our daily lives, so it is not exempt from meeting the saying. We all know that we must change the oil, the wheels … but other elements are not so obvious and yet, replace them is equally important.
The tips I’ll give below are general; the ideal is that you check the manual for your car or maintenance (also called service book), which will be specified plans and sometimes a “check list”with the points that we need to review and how often we do it.
The first thing to know is that some components of your vehicle not only wears out with use: well over time, so the periodic review of maintenance plan is every 10,000 km or one year, for example. Although you get to not make the 10,000 km in a year, you should inspect them equally. Besides, you should consider about your car wheels quality. Here we recommend a site where you will find AMG wheels for Mercedes.
Brake fluid every 2 years
This is one of the aging over time rather than kilometers elements. Most brake fluids that is used in the car are composed of a hydrophilic Alcohol (its molecules have great affinity for water); this makes it go by absorbing water in the atmosphere, which produces 2 very dangerous effects:
Low boiling point, which boils at a lower temperature and can stay without brakes by excess heat down a port. The pedal becomes spongy and just stops the car. It is known as fading brake fluid.
Water promotes formation of oxides and can emulsify the liquid, causing damage to the braking system.
Having an accident or repair a body of the ABS valve is infinitely more expensive to change (unavoidably) brake fluid within a maximum period of two years. A DOT 4 liter costs about 10 Euros and one hour of labor; a hydraulic group can multiply by 30 the amount.
The same fluid is commonly used for the clutch mechanism on cars with hydraulic control: we must also replace, taking advantage we do the same with the brakes.
Filters: the oil and more…
Everyone knows that oil change should also replace the filter (every change, not every two, as I have seen sometimes in a workshop … the average price of an oil filter is 12 Euros, for that amount not worth dirtying the new oil by passing it through an old filter). Although it is best known, it is not the only car filter.
They should be replaced every year. If you ever see the state in which they are typically found, you will understand the important work they perform. In addition, u n cabin filter in poor condition can cause damage to the air conditioning system, odors and increased energy consumption -at reduce the flow of air.
In the car we find the following filters:
Oil filter: must be changed every time the oil itself is replaced; in a modern car it is usually every year or 20,000 km, which reach before. In most veteran models, the change should be done every 10,000 km: See the maintenance plan for your vehicle.
Engine air filter: clean it often enough and “blow”; It should be checked at least once a year, but usually endure more, depending on how dusty it is the area where we usually move.
Fuel Filter: it is normal to be replaced every 4 years or 60,000 km, is very important in modern engines with direct fuel injection, in order to avoid damage to the high pressure pump and injectors.
Cabin air filter: must be replaced once a year and avoid the proliferation of mites and allergies.
Oil Filter in automatic gearbox: is vital to the life of the gearbox must be changed along with the hydraulic fluid every 60,000 km.
Liquid expire
In the car there are several fluids that age with the kilometers, but also temperature changes; dirt and time eventually make losing their properties, so it is convenient replacement.
Coolant: currently used organic coolants that are “for life”. However, it is not more change and make a flushing (cleaning with another liquid) cooling circuit to keep it in perfect condition. In my opinion, it should be done every 10 years. If your car is older and uses conventional antifreeze based on glycol, you should replace it every 2 or 4 years maximum; otherwise you lost properties and can break the engine block … or cause freeze heaters in summer, repairs that can multiply by 100 the price of antifreeze.
Engine oil: in modern cars has been extended long interval for oil change. Good synthetic oil can easily exceed 15,000 km (although you might check the level every 1,000 km or monthly). The service book will show you the recommended period. Follow it to the letter.
Differential Oil and manual gearbox: these fluids are marked in the car’s manual as “maintenance”; in theory they should last a lifetime. I’m not quite agree with this statement and I sincerely recommend that you change every 100,000 km or 10 years.
Automatic transmission fluid: it is important to replace the oil in automatic transmissions, especially in running a torque converter, as temperatures reach important. Do not spare a penny in a liquid sleazy or lengthen their replacement, as repairing automatic gearbox can be ruinous. Typically it requires to be replaced every 60,000 km or 5 years maximum, but check the manual for your car.
Power steering fluid: slowly, electrical addresses are obliterating the hydraulic assistance but still exist and must change the fluid every 100,000 km or 10 years to avoid damage to the seals.
Peripheral motor
There are elements in the engine to be changed to prevent breakage that can we stop lying or cause serious damage. It is very sad to see how your trip will crash when the crane takes your car with something as banal as a broken alternator belt. They are usually pieces whose cost is relatively cheap and make up for it anticipate its ruling.
Auxiliary belt: the rotary movement of the crankshaft is used to move more to the car wheels; also it operates elements such as the alternator, water pump, air conditioning compressor, etc. On some cars it is a single belt which moves all auxiliaries, in others there are several straps. Typically , they are changed every 100,000 km , but not more than you review each year for cracks or been stained with oil, which damages. If you hear a kind of shriek when accelerating, it’s likely that the belt is slipping and can be broken, leaving pulled or causing serious damage.
Coolant thermostat: the thermostat is responsible for opening the passage of cooling water from the engine to the radiator to cool. If damaged, water is not cool and can break the head gasket or even gripper mechanics. Only it costs 40 Euros, change it every 10 years or 100,000 km.
Water Pump: a large forgotten until it fails and we have a problem. It can last a lifetime, but it’s worth changing before taking us a scare, especially when our car the same belt moves through the distribution. Replace it with the timing belt always.
Timing belt: it is vital not to rush his return, sooner rather than after the manufacturer’s recommendation. Typically, they come prepared to be replaced every 100,000 km or six years, but check the manual for your car: replacement intervals vary between brands.
Rubber hoses and tubes : modern engines seem more the work of a plumber a mechanic, are full of tubes and hoses by circulating coolant, air, gasoline … Over time, the sleeves lose stiffness and swell; also brittle. Frequently check their status and begins to “suspect” from the 10 years or 200,000 km. Many problems misfire due to air intakes caused by cracks in the corresponding pipe of the engine.