Vehicle Repair Manual

A vehicle repair manual should be something you have for each vehicle you own. A popular brand of the books are the Haynes Repair Manuals. These can be purchased at any local auto parts store and give a detailed look at the total breakdown and rebuild of pretty much every part of the automobile. From the engine to the interior it shows step by step how to fix and replace just about anything. I can't tell you how many times a Haynes Manual has helped me out.

From installing a car stereo to engine repair and maintenance the Haynes Manual has it all. Even if you're not a do-it-yourselfer these can come in handy when performing basic maintenance and show a guide of which maintenance items to replace and when. Every car I have owned I have purchased one of these manuals and it's arguably the best money I've spent on the car. If you want to save money and fix things yourself these are a must have. By fixing the small stuff yourself you're going to save money and get the self satisfaction.

Prepare Your Windshield for Rain

A rain storm is something that can slow down driving and if the rain is coming down hard enough, it can stop you in your tracks. Rain can hurt yours and other drivers visibility quite a bit. Rain at night can be even worse because it becomes harder to see the yellow lines in the road. The rain keeps them from being as reflective so it can be hazardous while driving in the rain at night. Part of your vehicle maintenance is making sure your windshield wipers are in good working condition. This is something you should check on a monthly basis, and replace when they become worn. You can take this even further and dramatically increase your visibility with one easy step.

Rain-X is a great way to keep your windshield clear during rain and also assist your windshield wipers. When water hits a Rain-X treated windshield it will bead right off. Rain-X works best when moving at higher speeds. Usually above 50 mph. That way the wind can help bead the rain right off. If it's not raining too hard you can drive without using your windshield wipers and see perfectly fine. Rain-X is something that I always keep on my windshield because it dramatically increases your visibility in a rainy situation.

Rain-X comes in a lot of different forms and I have found that the best way to use it is to apply the Rain-X wax. It comes in a squirt bottle and you apply it the same way you apply wax to the paint of your car. Use a foam or cloth applicator and put a good coat on the windshield. Wait a few minutes and allow the Rain-X to dry to a haze. Once dried take a clean cloth and buff until all the Rain-X is removed. This also helps keep bugs from sticking when they hit your windshield at night. A lot of them will just slide off instead of bursting and covering the windshield.

As cheap as it is it's a no brainer that you need to keep a good coat on your windshield. One good coat of the Rain-X wax will last you about a month, depending on how much rain you are driving in. There are a lot of other great Rain-X products including wipes and other types of application. Whichever you choose make sure your windshield is treated and you will thank yourself when the next rain comes.

*Note: You can also put a coat of regular car wax on the windshield and it will work almost as good as Rain-X.

How to Prolong the Life of your Automobile Part 2

In the first part of this series I went over the basics of maintaining your vehicle based on 3000 mile intervals. This mainly includes visual checks of all fluid levels, tire pressure, and proper function of vehicle options. There are more hands on tasks that are needed less frequently that I will help you with in this part. This will apply to most vehicles, new or old, but always consult your owners manual or Hanes manual for you're vehicle's specific needs.

Every 10,000 miles or annually you want to perform these tasks:
1. Change Oil & Filter
2. Replace All Filters (Air, Fuel, PCV)
3. Check Brakes & Wheel Bearings
4. Check all Belts including Timing belt
5. Check temperature for engine thermostat
6. Replace spark plugs & cap & rotor (where applicable)

Every 20,000 miles or 2 years you want to perform these tasks:
1. Bleed brakes & renew fluid
2. Flush cooling system
3. Replace automatic transmission fluid (filter, screen & magnets)

This about sums up the regular maintenance you can perform on your vehicle. Most of this can be performed by yourself (with the right tools of course). Here is a link to download a Vehicle Maintenance Check List. This would be good to print out and keep up to date with your vehicle. Doing the work yourself will benefit you in many ways. It gives you a sense of pride, you learn how to work on a car, and you save a lot of money by not paying a shop to maintain the vehicle. Any major auto parts store has a repair manual for your vehicle. It will show you in detail how to perform any of the formentioned tasks, and I recommend you have one for every vehicle you own.

TIP: Store some extra oil, filters, air filters, spark plugs, and other easy to change items for your car. Especially buy them in bulk if they are on sale, or you have a coupon.

Tips on how to live from your car

How to Prolong the Life of your Automobile Part 1

To me prepping has become a hobby. I look at life and the world totally different since I started prepping. Prepping is a mindset or even a way of life; it's not just putting some canned goods and batteries into storage (not that doing this would be a bad thing). Taking care of your vehicle falls right into place with the prepper mindset. You must prepare for potential vehicular problems, and not only keep a good Car Emergency Kit, you must practice preventative maintenance on your vehicle to prolong the life of it.

It's important to follow your vehicle's specific maintenance schedule. The following information is generic and would apply to any vehicle. Performing your own maintenance can be rewarding and a lot cheaper than paying for it. If you do see a problem, consult with a mechanic about getting the problem fixed before it becomes a big issue. Never let something go. Always keep your vehicle in top running condition.

Here is a list of items you should check each month. Set aside a couple hours once a month to go over each item to make sure the basics are working properly.
1. Check the Engine & Ground for Fluid Leaks
2. Test Heater & Air Conditioning
3. Check Wiper Blades (Make sure the blades are in good shape, and function properly)
4. Check Headlights (High Beam & Low Beam)
5. Check Fog or Driving Lights
6. Check Turn Signals (Front & Back)
7. Check Hazard Lights (Front & Back)
8. Test Door Locks on All Doors
9. Inspect Windshield for Chips or Cracks
10. Test each Window (If Power Windows Check Each Switch)
11. Test Door Locks (If Power Locks Check Each Switch)
12. Check Radio & Make Sure Each Speaker Plays
13. Test Horn
14. Verify that you have your proper information in the glove box and the information is up to date (Proof of Insurance & Registration)

Every 3,000 miles or 90 days you want to perform these tasks:
1. Change Engine Oil & Filter
2. Check All Engine Fluids (Coolant, Power Steering Fluid, Brake Fluid, Windshield Washer Fluid, Transmission Fluid)
3. Check Tire Pressure & Tire Tread
4. Check All Belts for Cracks or Fraying
5. Check All Hoses for Leaks or Bulges
6. Lubricate Grease Fittings (Where Applicable)

Even if you have no idea about how to work on a car these tasks are simple and can be performed in your driveway. By doing this you WILL prolong the life of your vehicle and help to ensure that these problems don't pop up when you're on the road. If any one of these things that you check are not functioning properly it is time to fix it yourself, or take it to someone you trust to fix it. I will continue this series with more information about how to prolong the life of your automobile in the future.

*Disclaimer: Always consult your service manual for exact maintenance procedures. If you are uncomfortable with performing the maintenance yourself, contact a trusted mechanic to do the work.