Car Maintenance
It is quite interesting what is under the hood.
Does the engine oil needs to be changed?
May be your transmission needs some maintenance or service?
Something seems wrong with your brakes?
Is your car making unusual noises?
Do you need to read this article about beginers guide to car maintenance.
Acquiring a vehicle is a fairly easy task... the tough bit comes later.
You are already late, but never mind. With the car at your
disposal, long bus queues are passe. You'll be there, not
exactly on time, but yeah, almost. Then, calamity
strikes...the vehicle refuses to move...grunts, groans, fumes,
and stops. Why, oh why... Maybe because you forgot that it too
needs to be looked after, maintained, 'regular
servicing...'were those the words? |
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The best and
most efficient method of knowing about your car and
keeping track of it is through the owner's manual which
provides complete information on how to go about it. You
can inspect your car every time you enter it, or on a
daily or weekly basis or at intervals specified in the
manual.
In this section, we deal with those facts that are not
mentioned in the manual.
A few while driving tips.
At times, strange smells may emanate from inside your car.
The possible causes may be:
- Musty odours indicate
the existence of some trapped water, usually under the
carpet. This will ruin the carpet and also speed up
corrosion. The proper solution would be to remove the
carpets and dry up both the carpet and the floor.
- Smoky smells are of
various kinds. Electrical smoky smells are the most
dangerous and it is advisable to shut down, open the
bonnet, disconnect the batteries and seek professional
help. Other smoky smells may occur when the sound or
heat proof lining inside the engine space burns. Trace
the cause.
- Fuel smells occurs
either when the fuel tank venting gets choked or if
there has been an overflow.
- Sometimes, oil or
exhaust smells from the engine occur. This maybe
caused either due to too much engine oil, or if the
engine oil has grown old and is burning, or if it has
been overheated.
- A typical sweatish
smell emanates when varnish is being burnt which
occurs when your dynamo or alternator is about to pack
up and would, usually be accompanied by flickering
lights.
- Burning rubber smells
tend to come when you drive with your brakes on.
Overheated tyres may also be the cause.
Strange smells are an early
warning signal that need to be heeded if much more time
and money are to be saved later on.
Strange sounds tend to be sidelined in
the bustle and din of our roads, and by the car stereo
playing in the background. However, if the problem
persists, the car will make its condition known every time
you take a corner or ride over a bump. Some easily
recognizable sounds are
- Strange clicking while
taking a turn from the front wheels means that the
front shaft is about to fall apart. Get it fixed
before it actually does.
- A fan-belt squeal means
that another one is needed.
- Rhythmic clicks from
the wheel indicate faulty bearings at worst or just
large pebbles stuck in the tread pattern at the best.
- A change in engine tone
usually indicates engine overheating, especially if
you have been driving at constant speeds for a long
time. Stopping or varying the engine speed should be
enough if there is no severe problem. Otherwise, let
the car cool down and then check radiator and water
levels.
- Backfiring while normal
driving means serious problems and should be properly
investigated. Promptly.
- Engine knocks means
that it is time to get into a lower gear. If it
persists, however, it is time to get your engine and
engine oil checked.
At times, your car give personal
signals which can be deciphered by only the user.
Strange 'hiccups' while driving indicate faulty fuel which
would in turn cause faulty carb or fuel injector. If there
is unequal or wrong air pressure in tyres, it is evident
on braking. Unexplained shudders in braking indicate
problems in suspension or linkages.
Finally, you can avoid strange repair bills if you have
been going in for regular check ups!
In this section, we deal with car parts that need regular
care. For more on car maintenance visit the link above.
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