Have wheel alignment checked

Have your car's wheel alignment checked every 30,000 miles (48,000 km), or as recommended in your owner's manual. Also have it checked after buying new tires and when you replace a rack-and-pinion steering unit or other steering parts. Improper tire alignment will shorten the life of your tires as well as cause poor handling. If your steering is stiffer than normal or the vehicle pulls to one side, you probably have an alignment problem.

Wax to protect your car's paint job

No way around it! Waxing your car is work. But it's satisfying work that will help keep your car looking new. Car wax preserves paint by slowing oxidation and forming a barrier against bird droppings, sap, and pollution. Plus driving a nice shiny car is just plain fun.

Here's what to do to ensure the maximum in protection:

* Liquid and spray waxes are tempting to use -- they make the car shiny with less work than rubbing in paste wax. But there's still no beating paste wax for the hardest, longest-lasting finish. Look for paste with a high carnauba wax content.

* Apply a thin, even coat of wax to the car's surfaces with a damp sponge. Avoid applying too much, or it will be difficult to remove and some residue will inevitably mar your finish.

* To avoid fine scratches, use a clean, soft cotton or microfiber cloth to remove wax once it has dried.

* Apply an extra coat of wax to the nose and hood. The wax film in these areas wears away quickly.

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 inlet.

Car Maintenance Tips-Automobile Engine

Tip 1: Take care of Engine – The Heart of A Vehicle – Ask your auto mechanic to thoroughly check the engine every time you take your car for servicing.

Tip 2: Check Engine Coolant – Proper temperature of car's engine is important, hence you should check you engine coolant for right level. If the engine coolant is low, it results in overheating of auto engine.

Tip 3:- Check for Smooth Functioning of Timing Belt – If it doesn't then, just replace it to avoid an serious engine damage that can be heavy for your pocket.

Tip 4:- Calibration of the Engine Oil – Regular checking and calibration of engine oil ensures engine breakdown. Smooth performance of the automobile engine helps to increase the lifeline of your vehicle.

Tip 5:- Clean the Radiator – Radiator debris should be cleaned with a soft brush. Whereas detergent solution can be carefully used to clean the exterior of radiator.

Tip 6:- Never Spray Water On Hot Engine – This might lead to uninvited troubles and may damage your car's engine.

Tip 7:- Hydraulic Reservoir Should Also Be At An Optimum Level – Keep the hydraulic reservoir at optimum level with the fluid type.

Tip 8:- Air Cleaner Check – A regular check of air cleaner keeps your car in the best spirit.

Tip 9:- Avoid Idling – You will surely boost up the lifeline of your dear vehicle, if you do this. Avoid keeping your car idle for longer period as during this process, the oil is not distributed to different parts of the engine.

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.