Are you looking to save a few extra dollars while at the same time keeping your vehicle running in tip-top shape? If so, you may want to consider handling some of the simpler maintenance tasks on your own. Every vehicle owner should have a regimented maintenance schedule of oil and fluid changes, brake inspections, tire rotations, etc. These major maintenance items are best handled by a service professional like the technicians at Geller’s Automotive. But there are many things you can do yourself to supplement any maintenance routine you follow.
In this month’s blog, we highlight five tasks you can do today that will take very little time, effort, and cost. With all these tasks, we suggest you follow a few important guidelines:
- Consult with your vehicle owner’s manual for specifics on location, operation, and replacement of vehicle components
- Keep safety at the front of your mind during any routine maintenance tasks.
- Review online video tutorials or articles to get specific steps for your vehicle year, make, and model.
Item # 1: Cleaning Battery Terminals
Over time, your vehicle’s battery can develop corrosion. This corrosion is typically visible when you inspect the battery terminals. When looking at your battery, if you see clumps of white material near where the cables are connected to the positive/negative terminals, this is evidence of corrosion. Batteries can be cleaned though, and that will extend their operation. Leaving corrosion will only result in battery issues and eventually the need to replace the battery, sometimes prematurely.
Cleaning your terminals requires you to remove the cables, use a commercial cleaner or water/baking soda cleaner, and then reconnecting the cables when rinsed and dry. You should always use safety measures, including eye protection and rubber gloves for this task.
Item # 2: Replace Windshield Wiper Blades
Your wiper blades are made of synthetic materials, including rubber. These materials are not designed to last forever, and will become cracked, loose, or warped from the sun and colder temperatures. When its time to replace your blades, it’s best to do all of them at the same time, including any rear-window blades. When purchasing the replacements, make sure to have your vehicle year, make, and model handy to ensure you get the right size and type. Brand name blades tend to last longer than generic ones, so while they may cost more, they will outlast others. Newer vehicles have made the blade replacement easy and most of the time the new blades snap into the wiper arm easily. Consult with your vehicle owner’s manual and any instructions that come with the blades. Be careful of the wiper arm snapping back on the windshield, as this may crack the glass from the force of the arm hitting the windshield.
Item # 3: Lubricate Window Tracks
This is a very easy maintenance task and is important if you are noticing that your windows don’t go up and down as easily as they have in the past. Many times, this is due to water or debris that has created blockages in the tracks. Lubrication of the tracks involves getting a high-quality lubricant, preferably a dry silicone spray. Dry is better because the oily versions can sometimes attract and catch dirt. Use the nozzle attachment, and spray along the track on the front and back of each window. To spread the lubricant across the track, simply roll your windows up and down a few times.
Item # 4: Replace the Engine Air Filter
Your vehicle has many ways that it protects itself from external hazards like dirt, dust, and grime. The engine air filter is one of those components that serves a purpose to filter the air that enters your engine through the carburetor or fuel injection system. The dirtier it gets from the filtering process; the more likely dirt will get into vital engine components. That’s why it’s so important to keep it clean by replacing it. How often you replace an engine air filter is dependent on the type of driving conditions you subject your vehicle to on a regular basis.
To replace the engine air filter, you need to get under the hood. Locate your air filter by consulting with your owner’s manual. Most air filters are easily removed with a screwdriver, or even clamps that hold the filter in the box. If the filter appears to be clean, then you can probably get a few more miles out of it. If you shine a light from beneath the filter, and very little light is coming through, the filter is dirty and should be replaced. Make sure to seat it properly before putting the cover back on and clamping it closed.
Item #5: Replace Cabin Air Filter
Another filter that works to protect the air is the cabin air filter. This is like the filters you may use in your home HVAC system. The cabin air filter works to remove particles of dust, dirt, pollen and even some fumes. If it gets too dirty, it can become clogged and then cause further damage to the ventilation system.
Most of the newer vehicle models have the cabin air filter situated behind the glove box on the passenger side of the vehicle. Review your owner’s manual for the exact location and follow directions on how to disable the glove box, to get to the filter. You will most likely need a screwdriver to open the filter housing, and a flashlight to see behind the glove box.
If you are handy with simple tools, and can follow instructions, you should not have any problem with these five tasks. You will not only feel a sense of accomplishment, but you will save a few extra dollars and keep your vehicle running smoothly.
If you would rather have a service professional perform your vehicle maintenance on big and small tasks, contact us at Geller’s Automotive to schedule an appointment. We can work with you to come up with a maintenance plan that fits your budget, and keeps your vehicle in tip-top shape.
