Vehicle Maintanence

General Maintenance
Under this category we provide some simple guidelines to ensure that your vehicle doesn't have any problems on an everyday basis.
Engine Oil : To prevent engine corrosion, it is very important that the engine maintains the amount of oil it is supposed to receive. Negligence in this aspect will lead to a deteriorating engine performance, resulting in less mileage.
Lights : It is important for the lights to be properly focused, for your own and for the oncoming vehicle's safety. Travel on low beam so that it does not hinder your view.
Tyre Pressure : The required amount of air pressure needs to be strictly maintained if your car is to get the right mileage and pick-up.
Water: If your engine uses water for cooling, take care to ensure that it is regularly changed. Water can also be used for cleaning the windshield.

Some other tips
Get your vehicle serviced only at authorized service stations
Always use genuine spare parts.
Give your vehicle anti-rust coating before the monsoons.
Check the engine oil level once every two weeks. Also check the levels of coolant and water in the radiator and battery.
Drive at a moderate speed of 45-55 km/h to maximize fuel efficiency
Avoid accelerating and braking abruptly.
Shut up the engine whenever you expect to wait.
Avoid riding on the clutch pedal, and release the clutch pedal fully while driving.
Use air-conditioning only when necessary.
Maintain proper air pressure in your tire to improve mileage.
Preventive Maintenance
Today's automobiles can accumulate a lot of mileage with very little evidence of wear and tear, making it easy for vehicle owners to avoid looking under the hood while their vehicle is running well. But preventive maintenance can be a valuable investment, increasing fuel efficiency and saving the expense of emergency repair service and the inconvenience of a breakdown. Preventive maintenance is all about; looking, checking, and replacing automotive components before they fail.
Read through the tips to help you to know your car better.
Airfilter : Check it every month. Replace it when it becomes dirty or as part of a tune -up. It is easy to reach, right under the big metal 'lid', in a carbureted engine; or in a rectangular box at the forward end of the air in a duct hose assembly.
Battery Extreme caution should be taken while handling a battery since it can produce explosive gases. Always wear protective glasses and gloves.
Belts: Inspect belts and hoses smoothly. Replace glazed, worn or frayed belts. Replace bulging, rotten or brittle hoses and tighten clamps. If a hose looks bad, or feels too soft or too hard, it should be replaced.
Brake Fluid: Check the brake fluid monthly. First wipe dirt from the brake master cylinder reservoir lid. Pry off the retainer clip and remove the lid or unscrew the plastic lid, depending on which type your vehicle has. If you need fluid, add the improved type and check for possible leaks throughout the system. Do not overfill.
Engine Oil : Check the oil after every fill up. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean. Insert it fully and remove it again. If it is low, add oil. To maintain peak performance, the oil should be changed every 3,000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes first. Replace the oil filter with every oil change.
Exhaust : Look underneath for loose or broken exhaust clamps and supports. Check for holes in muffler or pipes. Replace the rusted or damaged parts. Have the emission checked at once per year for compliance with local laws.
Shock Absorbers : Look for signs of oil seepage on shock absorbers, test shock action by bouncing the car up and down. The car should stop bouncing when you step back. Worn or leaking shocks should be replaced. Always replace shock absorbers in pairs.
Tires: Keep tires inflated to recommended pressure. Check for cuts, bulges and excessive tread wear. Uneven wear indicates tires are misaligned or out of balance.
Transmission Fluid: Check transmission fluid monthly with engine warm and running, and the parking brake on. Shift to drive, then to park. Remove dipstick, wipe dry, insert it and remove it again. Add the approved type fluid, if needed. Never overfill.
Washer Fluid : Keep the windshield washer fluid reservoir full. Use some of it to clean off the wiper blades.
Wiper Blades : Inspect the windscreen wiper blades whenever you clean your windshield. Do not wait until the rubber is worn or brittle to replace them. They should be replaced at least once per year, and more often if smearing occurs.

In this section of Surfindia you will find some very useful tips of auto maintenance (car maintenance) that would keep your vehilce fine tuned. Before moving ahead first let us understand the meaning of auto essentials.Auto essentials are the services and inspections performed regularly at appointed times to the vehicle to keep it running efficiently and safely.

The following types of regular vehicle maintenance
1. Air Filters
2. Wiper Blades
3. Oil, Lube & Filter
4. Belts Hoses
Air Filters :
The air filter in the vehicle cleans the air brought in by the intake system. It helps in removing dirt, dust and other contaminants before it mixes with the gasoline. The engine of a vehicle uses approximately 10 litres of air for every litre of gasoline, hence air filters play an important role in maintaining the vehicle's performance and fuel efficiency.Dirty filter results in reduced airflow, which again results in the follwing:
increased wear on your intake system
increased fuel consumption
reduced engine power
For the above reasons, air filter should be inspected regularly with oil change and replaced when damaged or visibly dirty.
Oil, Lube & Filter

The engine of vehicles require uncontaminated oil to protect against the high temperatures and friction created by driving. Well lubricated engine will give the following benefits:
reduce engine emissions
prolong the life of engine components
decrease the possibility of breakdowns
minimize expensive repairs
promote smooth engine performance
Changing of oil every 5,000 km or according to the manufacturer's recommendation is the simplest and most important pieces of vehicle maintenance you can perform.Wiper BladesDriving decisions are made on what the driver can see. This means a clean, unobstructed view through the windshield is a must for safety.For optimal removal of moisture, dirt and other obstructions the wiper blades need to fit tightly against the windshield. This is achieved through the design and material of the blades and by the spring tension in the wiper arm.The wiper blades need to be checked every six months and replaced regularly because:
abrasives such as dust and dirt wear away the cutting edge
corrosion weakens the wiper arm
hot temperatures warp the rubber
cold temperatures make the rubber brittle and susceptible to cracks and tears
sunlight and ozone age the rubber, making it less flexible
Belts & HosesEngine always builds up a lot of heat during its working condition. This deteriorates the rubber of the vehicle's belts and hoses and as a result causes them to become brittle and prone to cracks and tears. Leaking hoses and broken engine belts may result in a sudden vehicle breakdown.A visual inspection is sometimes enough to detect problems before they get out of hand.
Safety Inspections
The general safety inspections evaluate the following areas of the vehicle:
Lights : All required lights must be operational. Headlights must be aimed correctly.
Horn: It must work properly and be heard at a distance of 60 metres.
Windshield Wipers: The blades, arms, and windshield washer must effectively clean the windshield.
Rearview Mirrors:

The mirrors must be free of cracks, pits or discolouration. They must be adjustable to give the driver an unobstructed view at least 60 metres to the rear of the vehicle.
Exhaust System:

It must be structurally sound and allow proper venting of exhaust gases.
Glass:

The critical vision area must be free of obstructions and discolouration.
Brakes:

All components including hydraulic lines, discs and drums, pedal, power booster and parking brake must be structurally sound and in good working order. Fluid levels must be within the manufacturer's recommendations.
Steering:

The steering wheel, shocks, struts, steering linkage, ball joints, drive train and wheel bearings must be structurally sound and in good working order.
Wheels and Tires:

They must have sufficient tread depth. Wheels should be structurally sound and all rims and nuts present and undamaged.
Coupling Systems:

If applicable, all hitch or towing attachments must be structurally sound, with no missing or excessively worn components.

Other:

Body, fuel tanks and lines, sun visors, seat belts, bumpers, hood latch, floor pan and inner panels must be in good working order and/or structurally sound