For your car

High School is full of firsts, but your first car is often the most memorable.  Although the majority of the memories will be good, there will undoubtedly be a few problems that will arise.  As the shock of finally owning a car begins to wear off, so does the care for the vehicle.  It starts off slowly, not washing it every week, then it progresses to skipping oil changes, and eventual driving it till something breaks.  Simple regular and preventative maintenance can ensure a reliable and safe car throughout your high school career.

Engine oil is quite possibly the most important fluid in your car, besides gas. Oil is required to keep engine components well lubricated, cool, and operating efficiently.  Without it the engine would seize solid within a minute or two, and a several thousand dollar repair would in order.  You should change your oil every 3-9k miles, along with the oil filter.  Using the proper oil is a must, the correct oil specification can be found in the owner’s manual.  For most people going to an oil change shop would be suggested, but if you want to save some money you can very easily do it yourself.

Engine coolant should be kept full at all times.  It is all but responsible for cooling the engine.  It is very common for cooling system parts to fail, causing a loss of coolant, so a regular check can help find problems before they get to bad.  The coolant is also a great way to detect serious engine problems.  If there is a milky film on the coolant, then you most likely have a bad head gasket.  Keeping an eye on your coolant is an effective way to keeping your car running.

One of the most often over looked fluid is the transmission fluid.  On most cars it should be replaced every 30,000 miles or so, and in most cases it is neglected.  Over used transmission fluid deteriorates causing premature wear on many components of the transmission.  If left unchecked the wear could cause the car to eventually become undrivable and require very expensive repairs.

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