Driving/Car care
Open: Driving is Serious: eyes, ears, nose (look at car for leaks, level)
Owner's manual: more uses than setting clock and radio
* need for repairs
* schedule of maintenance at service station
Find a mechanic: ASE certification (Automotive Service Excellence)
* look at shop
* recommendations
* talk to owner/mechanic
* get estimates
* be able to describe problem
Maintenance: schedule use owners manual or AAA
Things to check at fueling: check other fluid levels
Safety Maintenance: check lights, horn, etc.
Road emergencies: safey first, get vehicle off road
* raise hood and put on flashers
* towing service number
- Out of gas
fill gas tank at 1/2 to 1/4, if out of gas could ruin electric fuel pump
- dead battery
- how to hook up jumper cables correctly
- quick battery and starter
- Cranks but will not start
Out of gas?
wiggle check
- overheating
- check temp gauge, check for steam
- be careful when opening hood
- do not open radiator cap until engine cools off
- should let engine cool off at least 1/2 hour
- look for leaks and check for broken fan belts
- over heating engine causes engine damage
Flat tire: look at car level?
* Check tire pressure on side door or in owners manual
* Use of spare tire
* Block wheels before jacking vehicle
* Before jacking up vehicle just crank loose wheel nuts
Tire wear: cna be caused by tire under inflated or over inflated
* have wheel alignment checked
* check tire balance
* check suspension
Things to keep in vehicle
* gloves
* rags/paper towels
* flashlight
* jumper cables
* fire extinguisher
* first aid kit
* tools (screwdriver, pliers, adjustable wrench, duct tape, electrical tape, etc.)
* funnel
* air gauge
* blocks
* change for phone call
Things to keep in vehicle in winter
* blanket
* sand/salt/kitty litter
* shovel
* deicer
* scraper
* washer solvent
* lock deicer
If have leak from vehicle on ground to define leak check with white paper towel
Recommended reading:
* owner's manual in glove box
* idiot's guide to car care / dan ramsey
* total car care for the clueless / ren volpe
* take care of your car / m&c kennedy
* when there's no mechanic / jim gaston
* bumper to bumper / bob sikorsky
* auto repairs for dummies / deanna selar
* last chance garage / brad sears
