It's a bit different when
you have an older, out of warranty car. At this point you can
make a decision to continue to use the dealer for service, or
find yourself a local mechanic.
The first rule of thumb
is to have the oil in your car changed every 3,000 miles. This
is the simplest and most important part of routine maintenance
for your car. At that time, whether you go to a "speedy" oil
change business or to your mechanic, the technician will take a
look at the overall condition of your engine. They'll check
belts and hoses and fluid levels of your transmission and
brakes. They'll check your air cleaner and the condition of your
tires. Some of these drive through services also offer add on's
such as engine cleaning and radiator flushes. If they think they
see something that could become potentially serious they will
tell you about it and suggest you take your car to a mechanic.
Cars have really changed
over the years and most technicians use computers to diagnose
problems. You'll need to be able to describe the problem to the
mechanic. They'll need to know things such as when you first
noticed the problem and exactly under what condition it happens.
Does it happen when the car is cold, or after it warms up? Does
it happen when you're at an idle or when your accelerating? If
you don't use the same mechanic have a copy of your car's
service record with you so that the new mechanic can see what
maintenance been done in the past. It's best to find a mechanic
you're comfortable with and stay with him. Knowing your car's
history can go a long way towards helping him diagnose and fix a
problem.
Learn to listen to your
car. If you hear an unusual noise, notice a change in it's
performance or handling take it to your mechanic.
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