Preventative maintenance, paying close attention to and not ignoring certain signs could save you a bundle in the long run. For example, a catalytic converter, responsible for controlling your vehicle’s emission system, is over a whopping one thousand dollars to replace. Replacement could have been prevented if the spark plugs and fuel injectors were checked and replaced as needed. Smaller things lead to larger things in the end. And that’s just one example of how keeping up with common auto repairs could have saved you money.

Routine maintenance expenses include brake service, oil changes, battery replacement, tire replacement, windshield wiper replacement, tune-ups, timing belt replacement or drive belt replacement. Of course, if you can educate yourself on how to do some of these yourself, it could save you a bundle if you’re on a budget. From my experience, executives don’t look good with grease under their nails. So, leave the common auto repairs and maintenance up to the professionals. Again, not keeping up routine maintenance usually costs more money to fix. Unexpected costly repairs and possibly costly towing expenses.
Unexpected repairs that usually begin to occur one day after your car is out of warranty (isn’t that an odd coincidence?) include shocks and struts, power steering pump, alternator replacement, starter replacement and sometimes internal engine repairs or transmission issues.

On another note, if you are budgeting and trying to cut down on fuel costs, even a missing gas cap leads to fuel evaporating into the environment. Bad for the environment and bad for your budget.

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

Common Auto Repairs – Comedy Defensive Driving

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If she was really that good at reading the future, wouldn’t she would have already noticed the warning signs that her transmission was failing? Here are a few of those indications:

• If your car is leaking black or pink oil (i.e. if your garage floor looks like a Jackson Pollock painting).

• If your car is making a knocking, pinging sound.

• If your “check engine” light is on.

• If you smell something burning under your hood.

• If your car takes its time shifting gears (especially noticeable when the engine is cool).

• If your car seems to be stuck in neutral, even when you step on the gas.

• If your clutch seems to drag.

First, check your transmission fluid level. It would also be a good idea to just take to your mechanic and have him check it out to see if it’s going to be a serious issue that requires more than topping up your fluid levels. Perhaps your mechanic has a better read on your car’s future than your own personal clairvoyant.

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist / Idea Mogul

Transmission Troubles – Comedy Defensive Driving

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There are several areas of your vehicle that require wiper and other fluids to run well. The engine, transmission, radiator/cooling system, air conditioner, wiper fluid, battery and the brake system. If you need tips on how to check and change your engine oil, refer to last week’s blog Car Maintenance: Oil. Transmission fluid should be checked while the engine is running. The dipstick should be located near the oil dipstick, but consult your manual for the precise location. Since the transmission is a sealed system, unlike with engine oil, it should really never be low unless it is leaking. If you see a reddish-brown fluid leak, it’s likely transmission fluid. Then you should take it into your mechanic to get it checked out. If it’s blood, you should be shopping for another get-away car. Checking the radiator/cooling system should always be done with a cooled but not entirely cold engine. The radiator cap should be found toward the front and center of the engine. Or, if it’s a Smart Car, it will be located inside the glove compartment (just kidding…I don’t even know if they have room for a glove compartment). The overflow reservoir should be visible and right next to it. You should be able to see if there is the reservoir is 2/3 full. If it is below, mix 50/50 water and radiator fluid/coolant and pour directly into the radiator until your reservoir reaches 2/3 full. Since the air conditioning system is both costly and difficult for the non-mechanic to deal with, always have your mechanic check it out for you. As far as the battery goes, most newer ones are maintenance free. But, if you have a traditional battery, adding distilled water into the cells from time to time will increase its life expectancy. And, the brake system, like the transmission, is a sealed system. Consult your manual for location of the brake fluid reservoir. It should be 2/3 full. If not, top up to the fill line. If it appears to be leaking, take it into your mechanic to locate the leak.

This reminds me of something an old friend, Tom Ley, told me one of his hispanic landscapers would say when they’d see a pretty girl. “Huy pero qué curvas y yo sin frenos” Translated, meaning “Ah, what curves…and me with no brakes.” How romantic…that should be on a Valentines.

Summed-up … if your garage floor has so many colors of fluids splattered on it that it looks like a Jackson Pollock painting, you may need to be looking for another car.

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Comedienne / Artist / Writer / Benevolent Thesbo

Car Maintenance: Wiper And Other Fluids – Comedy Defensive Driving

The post Car Maintenance: Wiper and other fluids appeared first on Comedy Defensive Driving®.