Cooling fan:The cooling fan is activated automatically when an engine begins to overheat, drawing air in through the radiator in order to cool the engine. However, if the fan seizes then the engine coolant will likely begin to boil which could cause significant damage to the engine.
The only way to check on the health of your cooling fan is to turn the heater to cold and run the car to normal temperatures (i.e. the middle of your temperature gauge). Once this has been reached, keep the engine running while parked up but do not use the car for five minutes. The fan should automatically kick in after this length of time.
A problem will be in evidence if the fan fails to activate and your engine temperatures start to spiral upwards. If this is the case simply switch your engine off and seek assistance from your breakdown cover provider or local mechanic.


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Batteries:Make sure that your battery is in full working order with a battery test, which will be done for free in many garages. This is a simple way to avoid an inconvenient breakdown.


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Bodywork:Summer is often the time of year that local authorities feel is right to conduct essential road maintenance. This results in loose debris on newly surfaced roads, such as stones and tar, which can damage the bodywork of your motor.
You should therefore make sure that you drive within the recommended speed limits when passing through road work zones and not drive too closely to the back of other vehicles that could flick up debris.


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Deciding on a Repair Shop:Consult friends and neighbors for recommendations. Or inquire with local consumer organizations and car clubs such as AAA.
Before deciding on a potential shop, inspect its facilities. Does it appear clean and organized? Are Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certificates or trade diplomas displayed on the walls? Is the staff attentive to questions? Are cars of similar value to yours in the lot?
Be leery of dealerships. Most base their charges on estimated time, rather than actual time. In other words, even if a mechanic takes only 90 minutes to install a new crankshaft pulley, the dealership will still charge the predetermined estimated time of 6 hours. On the other hand, their mechanics are certified, and sometimes they give you a free loaner.
Chain retail stores, like Sears, sometimes have great guarantees or warranties in writing, so check those out, too.
Check with your local Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints were filed, and how they were resolved.


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Fluids Galore:One of the best ways of preventing the interior destruction of the engine is by making sure all of the fluids are fresh and full. Purchase a fuel stabilizer, which prevents gasoline breakdown (causing damage to the engine and fuel line) and allows you to keep the tank relatively full, which keeps out extra airspace. Airspace can lead to moisture and rust.
Take out the spark plugs and line the cylinder housings with oil. Again, this measure prevents corrosion. Change the oil and oil filter. Old oil has all sorts of byproducts and acids that can cause damage.

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Disposal of Coolant Water:Since the water in a vehicle's cooling system contains antifreeze, don't wash it down the drain. Antifreeze is hazardous waste and must be disposed of properly. Determine the proper method for disposing of antifreeze-contaminated water in your community, including and necessary containers for disposal, before you begin draining the vehicle's cooling system.


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Check the fluids:You should check the level of your antifreeze, oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid, very regularly: like every time you buy gas. Even if your car doesn't leak fluids, it can develop a leak and quickly have a dangerously low level of something. You should also check the color of some of these fluids. Some of these have see-through plastic tanks that you can look through, and some have dipsticks. Antifreeze should be either pink, green, or yellow (Pink for newer cars with "Dex-Cool", green for old cars with plain Ethyl-Glycol, and green or yellow for cars that have been flushed and filled with universal antifreezes...brown antifreeze should always be flushed, it either has rust or a lot of dirt in it, probably both. Also, never mix antifreezes; if you don't know what color antifreeze your car has, buy a universal brand. Oil should be relatively clear, not black - black oil has been left in the engine for too long. Oil that looks white and milkshake-like has water in it, probably from an internal antifreeze leak, or very rarely, just a large amount of condensation. Transmission fluid should be bright red, and should not smell burnt...it probably needs to be changed if it's brown or smells burn

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Change the oil regularly:This will improve your gas mileage and protect your engine. The recommended mileage between oil changes is 3,000 - 5,000 miles (or 5000 - 8000 kilometres) or every 3 to 6 months. Doing this could make it possible for your vehicle to attain 200,000 miles. Change the oil filter as well - there is no sense in putting clean oil through a dirty filter, and filters are very cheap and available at any parts store. Please check your service manual, or contact your dealer for your car's specific needs.

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Monitor your brake pad thickness and don't let the pads wear down to metal:this will cause damage to your brake rotors ("discs" at least and possibly your calipers as well. Rotors and calipers are much more expensive to replace than pads. There is no such thing as "cleaning" a brake pad while it is still on a car - the friction between the pad and rotor will eradicate any outside substance almost immediately.

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Keep the tires inflated:Under-inflated tires can reduce the tire life by 15% and will slightly decrease your gas mileage, perhaps by 10%. Inflating tires is perhaps the easiest of all activities, and many stores sell tire gauges for a very small cost. Checking your tire pressure every other time you get gas will reduce tire wear and prevent these issues. Monitor your tire tread with a penny. Insert the penny into the tread with Lincoln's head down. If the top of his head is not obscured by the tread, your tires need to be replaced. Basically, if you can see all of Lincoln's head, you must replace your tires.


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Keep the front end aligned:If you notice your car shaking while driving at high speeds (not while braking - shuddering while braking indicates warped rotors), or if your tread is wearing unevenly, then you may need an alignment. This is also key to extending the life of your tires and will keep the tread even for increased safety.

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Don’t fill up if you see the tanker:If you happen to see a gasoline tanker filling the tanks at your local gas station, come back another day or go to a different station. As the station’s underground tanks are being filled, the turbulence can stir up sediment. Sediment in your gas can clog fuel filters and fuel injectors, causing poor performance and possibly necessitating repairs.


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Go easy when you’re stuck:When stuck in mud or snow, don’t make the problem worse by damaging an expensive component. Gently rocking in an attempt to free the car is fine. But if it looks as though you’re really stuck, don’t keep at it. Throwing your car from forward to reverse repeatedly, as well as spinning tires at high speeds, can generate lots of heat and spell trouble for transmissions, clutches, and differentials. It may be cheaper in the long run to call the tow truck rather than risk big repair bills down the road. It’s a good idea to carry a traction aid in the trunk, such as sand, gravel, or cat litter.


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Lighten up your key chain:Does your car key share a chain with a dozen or more other keys? That’s a pretty heavy load hanging off the car key when it’s in the ignition.The weight, combined with bouncing while you drive, can wear out the tumblers inside the ignition and eventually lead to ignition switch failure.To add years of service to your ignition switch, purchase a lightweight key chain that allows you to separate your ignition key from the others. Drive with only the ignition key in your ignition. If your ignition key “sticks” when you try to turn on the car, it’s a warning that your ignition switch is about to fail. Replace it before you get stranded.


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Choose a good car insurer:Sometimes, no matter how careful you are, disaster inevitably strikes — typically in the form of an accident. Make sure that your car will be repaired to the best possible standard by finding an insurer that will pay for parts from the original manufacturer and guarantee the repairs it authorizes.


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Keep an auto log:Keep a pad and pencil in the glove compartment and use them to record your gas fill-ups and mileage. If you notice that your gas mileage worsens, mention it to your service man. It may be an early warning sign that something is wrong with your car.


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Preserve your car during long-term storage:If you are not going to use your car for more than a month, store it properly to prevent unnecessary damage and repairs upon your return.
Fill the gas tank to help prevent condensation from accumulating in the gas tank. Add a fuel stabilizer and drive the car around a bit to distribute the additive to engine parts.
Wash and wax the car thoroughly to protect the finish.
Place a vapor barrier on your garage floor. A 4-mil polyethylene drop cloth will do.
Disengage the parking brake to help avoid brake corrosion.
Put the car on jack stands to take the weight of the vehicle off the wheels and tires.
Disconnect and remove the battery to keep it from draining. Place the battery on a trickletype charger. Or periodically drain the battery, using a small light bulb, and then recharge it with a low-volt charger.
Plug the tailpipe with a rag to prevent moist air from infiltrating into it.
Car Interior

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Park in the shade:Of course, a garage is always the ideal place to park your car. But if one isn’t available, minimize interior damage from UV sunlight and heat by always trying to park your car in the shade. If no shade is available or if you find parking under a tree results in bird droppings, use a car shade to minimize the sun’s impact. As a bonus, you’ll have a cooler car to step into on hot sunny days. Car shades come in two basic types: those that you unfold and place on the front windshield and rear window, or pleated types that attach to the windshield posts (with adhesive), window frames (with Velcro), or the windows themselves (with suction cups).


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Clean the inside, too:Vacuum and sponge your interior every time you wash your car. Dirt particles are abrasive, and spilled liquids, such as soda, can be corrosive.Vacuum your interior thoroughly with a powerful vacuum (small cordless models are generally too weak). Use the appropriate wand heads when vacuuming. The bare metal wand can mar and scratch surfaces. Sponge vinyl surfaces clean with a solution of mild detergent and water.


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Clean dash gauges carefully:Use a soft damp cloth to lightly wipe dust from the clear plastic lenses on your dashboard. Too much pressure will scratch them. Too many scratches can make it difficult to read your gauges under certain lighting conditions.


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Power steering fluid should be checked regularly to ensure it is filled to capacity:The fluid can be checked via the reservoir. For the specific location relating to your vehicle please check your owner's manual.
Only use the recommended oil for your car, this information can be found in your owner's manual.
Never over fill the reservoir.
If the power steering fluid needs regular refilling contact your nearest RAC Auto Services site for advice.

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The battery is the key component of your car's electrical system:And the main cause of vehicle breakdowns. A number of simple steps can be taken to ensure your battery is kept in optimum condition all year round.
Check battery terminals regularly to ensure they are clean and tight.
Ensure that the electrolyte level is correct, if topping up only use distilled water. Many newer batteries are maintenance free and won't require topping up.
Make sure the battery is secure.
If your battery has not been replaced in 3 – 4 years consider a replacement as battery failures often occur with no warning.

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Most transmission work is best left to the experts:however the following tips will help ensure your transmission operates correctly.

Ensure that the transmission fluid level remains filled to the correct level, check owner's manual for details on checking levels.
Ensure fluid is not discoloured or burnt.
Always use the correct type of oil for your car, this can be found by referring to your owner's manual.

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Maintenance of suspension components is vital to ensure vehicle safely:Worn suspension components can increase your stopping distance by up to 20%. In addition properly-functioning suspension ensures a more comfortable ride for passengers.

Suspension components should be checked regularly for any signs of physical damage and excess wear.
Shock absorbers should be checked for fluid leaks.
Check your suspension when driving for any abnormalities i.e. steering wheel vibration, nose diving when stopping.

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Choose a good car insurer:Sometimes, no matter how careful you are, disaster inevitably strikes — typically in the form of an accident. Make sure that your car will be repaired to the best possible standard by finding an insurer that will pay for parts from the original manufacturer and guarantee the repairs it authorizes.

Contact: kakakibuy@hotmail.com

We don't resell cars for profit. Pay exact costs only!!!

Keep an auto log:Keep a pad and pencil in the glove compartment and use them to record your gas fill-ups and mileage. If you notice that your gas mileage worsens, mention it to your service man. It may be an early warning sign that something is wrong with your car.

Contact: kakakibuy@hotmail.com

We don't resell cars for profit. Pay exact costs only!!!

Preserve your car during long-term storage:If you are not going to use your car for more than a month, store it properly to prevent unnecessary damage and repairs upon your return.
Fill the gas tank to help prevent condensation from accumulating in the gas tank. Add a fuel stabilizer and drive the car around a bit to distribute the additive to engine parts.
Wash and wax the car thoroughly to protect the finish.
Place a vapor barrier on your garage floor. A 4-mil polyethylene drop cloth will do.
Disengage the parking brake to help avoid brake corrosion.
Put the car on jack stands to take the weight of the vehicle off the wheels and tires.
Disconnect and remove the battery to keep it from draining. Place the battery on a trickletype charger. Or periodically drain the battery, using a small light bulb, and then recharge it with a low-volt charger.
Plug the tailpipe with a rag to prevent moist air from infiltrating into it.
Car Interior

Contact: kakakibuy@hotmail.com

We don't resell cars for profit. Pay exact costs only!!!

Park in the shade:Of course, a garage is always the ideal place to park your car. But if one isn’t available, minimize interior damage from UV sunlight and heat by always trying to park your car in the shade. If no shade is available or if you find parking under a tree results in bird droppings, use a car shade to minimize the sun’s impact. As a bonus, you’ll have a cooler car to step into on hot sunny days. Car shades come in two basic types: those that you unfold and place on the front windshield and rear window, or pleated types that attach to the windshield posts (with adhesive), window frames (with Velcro), or the windows themselves (with suction cups).

Contact: kakakibuy@hotmail.com

We don't resell cars for profit. Pay exact costs only!!!

Clean the inside, too:Vacuum and sponge your interior every time you wash your car. Dirt particles are abrasive, and spilled liquids, such as soda, can be corrosive.Vacuum your interior thoroughly with a powerful vacuum (small cordless models are generally too weak). Use the appropriate wand heads when vacuuming. The bare metal wand can mar and scratch surfaces. Sponge vinyl surfaces clean with a solution of mild detergent and water.

Contact: kakakibuy@hotmail.com

We don't resell cars for profit. Pay exact costs only!!!

Clean dash gauges carefully:Use a soft damp cloth to lightly wipe dust from the clear plastic lenses on your dashboard. Too much pressure will scratch them. Too many scratches can make it difficult to read your gauges under certain lighting conditions.

Contact: kakakibuy@hotmail.com

We don't resell cars for profit. Pay exact costs only!!!

Let floor mats take winter’s beating:Use floor mats to protect carpeting. The best type for controlling salt, slush, and mud in winter are rubber wafflestyle mats. They stay in place, don’t allow the water to seep through, and are easy to wash clean. Carpet-style mats are helpful, too. Shake, vacuum, or wash as needed; replace them as they wear through.


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Blast mats with the hose:When washing your car, drag out the rubber or carpet floor mats and blast them with the hose.This will dislodge dirt particles that, if allowed to build up, will grind holes in your mats. Let the mats dry thoroughly in the sun before reinstalling them.


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