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Fight sludge

There’s a big downside to short trips, stop-and-go traffic, as well as long trips when there is a heavy load on the engine, for example, pulling a trailer. The enemy: Sludge. Sludge is a petroleum byproduct that is a gooey, black-colored substance that builds up in an engine. It is a major contributor to engine problems. Changing the engine oil at prescribed intervals or a lot of oftentimes can cut back the likelihood of sludge buildup and extend the lifetime of the engine. Specific driving conditions can cause sludge. It will return from oil action on an extended stopover at engine temperatures typically higher than 210 degrees Gabriel Daniel Fahrenheit. Other culprits are short trips that prevent the engine from reaching its proper operating temperature and water in the oil caused by condensation. “It accumulates everywhere in the engine. Sludge drops to the bottom of the oil pan. But when the engine warms up, the oil mixes with the goo and is pumped through the whole engine,” Moritz said. “Sludge does not burn away.” To avoid sludge, follow the owner’s manual for oil and filter changes or switch to synthetic oil, which is not petroleum-based. Many fleets use synthetic oil.

Timing belt replacement

Your car’s engine has either a rubber composite timing belt or timing chain. The device connects the shaft to the rotating shaft, which is synchronous with the gap and shutting of the engine’s valves. If your car has a timing belt, follow the owner’s manual to determine when the belt should be replaced. “Rubber belts break and when they do that’s the end of the engine, it is catastrophic, you are done,” Moritz said. To avoid disaster, the timing belt should be replaced at intervals recommended by the automaker, usually between 50,000 and 110,000 miles. The cost to replace the timing belt isn’t cheap but it is thousands less than rebuilding the engine. Don’t wait for too long, just go for a BMW repair Dubai timely.

Check power steering fluid

Older vehicles and some new models have a hydraulic power steering pump that is lubricated by power steering fluid. The pump’s reservoir has a screw-type cap that lifts off, so the fluid level can be checked. If the pump runs dry, it can fail and require a replacement costing hundreds of dollars. A few symptoms of a power steering problem are squealing noises when turning the steering wheel or heavy or stiff steering. Newer vehicles have electric power steering; there are no fluids.

Transmission fluid replacement

Having the proper amount of fluid is critical because it cools the transmission, lubricates moving parts and smooths the shifts between gears. However, the fluid deteriorates over time. Frequent stop-and-go driving or propulsion a trailer accelerates deterioration. Under those conditions the transmission’s operating temperature rises, putting a strain on the transmission’s components and the fluid. Automakers advocate a lot of frequent fluid replacement beneath those conditions. Check the owner’s manual for details. Signs of transmission problems: If the fluid turns dark or has a burnt smell this could be a signal that it needs to be changed or that the transmission is developing mechanical issues. Check the fluid level once the engine is running. To avoid transmission failure only use the fluid recommended by the automaker. “I know a guy who mixed fluid on a Honda. His transmission lasted a week,” Moritz said.

Radiator coolant flushing: Coolant has rust inhibitors that break down over time. Rust and corrosion can build up and harm an engine, plug a thermostat and damage a water pump. Some automakers advocate an agent amendment each thirty,000 miles, some suggest over 100,000 miles. Again, check the owner’s manual.

Top off brake fluid

IfWhile you are under the hood checking fluids, it’s a good time to check the brake fluid level. Place the vehicle on a level surface, then unscrew the reservoir cap. The brake fluid level should be between the minimum and maximum marks in the fluid reservoir. Use the automaker’s recommended fluid and add to the proper level. Replacing the brake fluid won’t increase the longevity of the brake however it’d save your life. Brake fluid absorbs water over time that degrades its effectiveness in providing stopping power. “A brake system is not perfectly sealed as you might think so you can get condensation just from the change of cold temperatures to hot,” Moritz said. If you have too much water in the brake fluid, stepping on the brakes hard generates heat which in turn can boil the water in the line and as a result, increase the vehicle’s stopping distance.

Transfer case maintenance

This is a very expensive repair when things go wrong. The fluid inside the transfer case on all-wheel and four-wheel-drive vehicles needs to be replaced at prescribed intervals. Follow the recommendations in the owner’s manual.

Rotate your tires

Tires are expensive, so you want them to last. The owner’s manual will say when the tires should be rotated and alignment checked. Equally important is maintaining the proper air pressure to get more miles out of each tire. A sticker on the driver’s door frame lists the tire pressure for the front and rear tires.

Have a clean engine air filter

A dirty air filter can reduce miles per gallon, hurt engine performance and contribute to higher engine emissions.