The successful owner of a large chain of new vehicle auto dealerships used to instruct his staff on the importance of advising & informing automobile owners of upcoming maintenance to their vehicles as well as safety issues. This was not gouging or taking advantage of customers to the shop , he would instruct & teach them. People , he would remark , were generally appreciative, of such a genuine service. It was not up-selling but rather genuine & real concern as a professional. Yet one service writer was recalcitrant . It was as if the money was directly coming out of the service writer’s own wallet. It took an explanation to the service staff overall , that if a client came to the desk, and that if a vital item was missed , a sequel of events might occur on that customer’s family during their summer vacation on the highway , resulting in personal tragedy & loss of life to the direct family of the vehicle driver ‘ all of which was easily preventable in the beginning , to drive the point home to the service department staff. Yet in spite of a full explanation & elaboration , the service writer was unconvinced & left his job for a new employer at a competitive dealership.
Check oil level. Add oil if dipstick shows it at or below the ADD mark. Change oil if it is “dirty” or if you feel that a change is due. Depending on driving patterns and personal preferences some change oil by time – how many months , while others do it by mileage driven. If you follow a regular and ongoing maintenance schedule , your vehicle should be ready for long and short trips at any time. For extended trips however it is a good idea to make a few special checks – the carburetor). As your car ages it needs more frequent service. The engine requiring an oil-and-filter change at 6,000 mile intervals when new, may require it at 4,000 mile intervals after 50,000 to 60 k. Engine wear permits greater leaks of combustion products and exhaust gasses into the crankcase thus contaminating the oil.
In the case of diesel engines – such as VW diesel motor, the Volkswagen diesel develops much higher compression than a gasoline engine variety setup. The typical gas engine will run satisfactorily with cranking compression as low 90 psi whereas the VW Diesel should withstand pressures in the ranges of 400 to 500 pounds per square inch to raise the temperatures high enough to ignite diesel fuel to power up the engine. On top of that not a lot of complexity or of engine & motor damage are incurred or involved. Many motorists use the seasonal changes as a reminder to make other checks. Always note and remember that these are simply “guidelines”. If for instance, your car begins to show symptoms of needing a tuneup in the middle of August, you should not wait until late fall to do the work.
For example what of engine oil burning as a common automotive issue & problem ? In the case of VW diesel engines its an entirely different manner than standard gasoline powered engine powerplants. Conventional compression gauges with their 250 to 300 psi limit will not do. VW supplies a model that not only reads 600 lbs per sq inch, but provides a roll of paper and an automatic marking pen ( in place of standard indicator needle) to provide a permanent record of compression readings. Of course in the new millennium electronic versions are available at your local Canadian tire outlet store. Car oil varies from four quarts to seven. The owner’s manual and markings on the dipstick will inform you how much oil that your auto requires and needs. The thickness of an oil ( also called or referred to as its viscosity). The standard procedure by the society of Auto Engineers (SAE), is to number the oils according to viscosities. Generally the higher the number , the thicker the oil. !
All numbers are preceded by the letters SAE, the abbreviation for the accepted professional and trade society that sets “the standard” employed. If the number is followed by the letter “W” , the thickness was measured at zero degrees (0), if no letter follows then it was done at 210 degrees F. It can be generally held & diagnosed that if the condition of waste oil smoke is not accompanied by any unusual engine noises or overall loss of power , that the most likely cause is worn valve guides.
No doubt about it. In today’s modern world of 2010 , most people are dependent on their vehicle – Before removing the spark plugs check your battery’s voltage. Next check the engine oil to insure proper engine lubrication. Start the engine, allowing it to reach proper and normal operating temperatures, then turn off the ignition switch. Then remove the air-cleaner assembly. Mark the vacuum hoses attached to the air cleaner with masking or duct tape using your own code to replace them properly before disconnecting them. Basic and simple checks should be done each and every day. If however you skip a day , be sure to add this list to your list of weekly checks. Check 1) lights
2) horn
3)windshield wiper operation
4)outside rear view mirrors
5)Front windshield cleanliness
6)rear windshield cleanliness
7)side windows cleanliness
8)tires – visual check.
About The Author
Terry S. Vostor
Alberta Auto Financing