American car maintenance guide: Regular inspection and maintenance of the car can ensure the safety of the car, and at the same time, it can also extend the life of the car.As for the owner, what do you need to know about car maintenance?If the car repair personnel recommend that you replace the spark plug, do you need to replace it?What is Throttle Body Serive?This article will answer these questions in detail.
Directory of this article
- Common problems in American car maintenance
- What are the general projects in American cars?
- American car maintenance time process
- What are the precautions for American cars?
- More car buying and buying a car strategy
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Common problems in American car maintenance
Question 1: Where are you doing car maintenance?
Car maintenance can generally be carried out through three ways: car owners DIY, car manufacturers or dealers, and third-party car maintenance stores.
Dealeship
For some more professional maintenance, such as engine inspection, linkage belt inspection, brake oil addition, battery replacement, wheel calibration and other maintenance, you can contact your car’s raw manufacturers or dealers for maintenance.
The advantage is:
- All replacement components are original production components, which is better adaptable with cars.
- The maintenance employees of dealers or manufacturers hold professional certification capabilities and qualifications, and they are more professional for inspection and maintenance of cars.
- When some new cars are sold, they will give away a certain number of free maintenance
The disadvantage is:
- Maintenance fees at dealers will be more expensive.
Third-party car maintenance store
Maintenance at a dealer can also be carried out in third-party car maintenance stores.
The advantage is:
- There are more optional merchants, providing comparison space for prices and quality.
- Car maintenance charges in third parties will be cheaper.
The disadvantage is:
- Multiple comparisons are required, such as asking neighborhood friends that they recommend trusted maintenance stores, or view online evaluation and maintenance store map distribution, etc., to choose a better maintenance store that is closer to themselves.
- For large maintenance, if some parts need to be replaced, such as batteries, there may not be a battery provided by the original car brand in third-party car maintenance stores.You need to choose to wait for the transfer or replace the components of other brands.
The owner diy by himself
When buying a car, the owner will get a car owner manual, a very thick car guide, in the car maintenance section, which details the different component inspection and maintenance methods of the corresponding car.Some of these are relatively simple maintenance, and the owner can complete it by itself, such as:
- Come on the fuel tank at the car gas station
- Add enough water to the cooling water tank
- When the car prompts the oil is too small, add motor oil
- Check and replace the air conditioner filter or fuel filter
- Check the depth of the tire to judge the degree of wear
The advantage is:
- Minimum cost
- Fastest
The disadvantage is:
- Only the most basic inspection and maintenance can be performed
Question 2: What is the cost of maintenance in American car maintenance?
In the United States, most car owners need to spend $ 500 to $ 700 in car maintenance each year.
For different components:
- It takes $ 20 to $ 100 on motor oil and oil filters
- It takes $ 20 to $ 50 in tire correction
- Replace the tires, a single tire costs $ 50 to $ 300
- It takes $ 7 to $ 15 to replace the wiper
- It takes $ 100 to $ 350 to replace the brake pads
Different differences in the same maintenance often depend on the cost and labor cost of replacement components.Generally speaking, the labor costs in automobile dealers will be higher than the cost of third-party maintenance stores.
On the other hand, the more mileage of cars, as the degree of component loss increases, the maintenance fee will gradually increase.
Question 3: Why do you do car maintenance?
During the driving of the car, all components will cause different degrees of loss.Part of the loss will cause the car’s driving performance.For gasoline or diesel, these situations will reduce the comfort during driving, and may cause car mechanical failure and cause hidden dangers of accidents.
So the purpose of maintaining the car regularly is:
- First of all, some performance recessions of cars can be maintained in time, restore their normal operating performance, and maintain a better driving sense and driving ability.
- Secondly, it can prevent cars from serious mechanical failures caused by performance decline and avoid driving accidents.
Question 4: When do you usually do car maintenance?
Most cars use driving time and driving mileage as a judgment point for maintenance time.
- Driving time is usually: every three months, every six months, and every twelve months.Six are more common in the United States;
- Driving mileage is usually: every 3,000 miles, every 6,000 miles, every 12,000 miles.
According to the driver’s different driving habits, the first to the driving time or driving mileage prevail, such as:
- The driving frequency is high, and it will be 3,000 miles a month, then you can go for maintenance;
- Conversely, the frequency of driving is low.When it is three months, it has not drove 3,000 miles.At this time, you can also go to maintenance.
However, with the continuous upgrading of automobile manufacturing technology, the determination of driving time and driving mileage will be different according to different brands and different models.Generally, the manufacturer will explain the maintenance cycle of the car in the car owner’s manual attached to the car.The judgment value.
Question 5: What is Bake Fluid Flush?
Bake Fluid Flush, translated in Chinese as a brake fluid rinse, in which the brake fluid is often called brake oil.
The role of the brake fluid is that when the driver steps on the brakes, the brake liquid will be pushed into the brake through the hose to force the brake disk to force the wheels to slow down or stop rotating.It can be seen whether the brake fluid can enter the brake system smoothly.It is especially important for driving safety.
The role of brake fluid washing is to ensure that it can quickly reach the work place and give full play to the squeezing effect of the brake disc.
The process of flushing the brake fluid is:
- Start the car, open the exterior valve of the lower brake fluid, eliminate the residual brake fluid, and then turn off the valve.
- Add the brake liquid to the brake fluid at the front of the car.One technician stepped on the brakes, and the other technician opened the valve again to discharge the brake fluid.Lower the brake until the excluded brake fluid is a clear new brake solution, complete the brake fluid rinse.
Question 6: What is Cooland Flush?
COLANT FLUSH, translated in Chinese as a coolant rinse, in which the coolant is sometimes referred to as antifreeze (Anti-Freeze), which is to help the car adjust the temperature.When the engine is overheat, reduce its temperature.When the car is in an overly cold environment,, Help the car inside the car to maintain the suitable temperature and freeze the liquid to freeze.
The effect of cooling liquid is to remove residual substances and chemical components in the cooling system, prevent debris or chemicals from affecting the effective effect of the newly added coolant, or avoid these dandruff to destroy the cooling system component during subsequent operations.Regular coolant washing and maintenance can effectively extend the service life of the car.
The main process of coolant rushing is:
- Make sure that the vehicle is in a conventional state, the engine is cooling, and the front cover is turned on.
- Find the outer valve of the coolant at the bottom of the car, open it, and discharge the residual coolant.
- After covering the valve, inject water into the cooler through the funnel or hose, mobilize the car, let it run for about 15 minutes, and then turn off.After the engine is cooled, the coolant is discharged from the bottom of the car again.
- The above steps can be repeated to ensure that the excreted coolant is clean, and then it can be filled with a new coolant to complete the coolant rinse.
Including the dirt, iron rust and mud in the cooling system, it will also clear all the coolant materials used in the radiator, and replace it with fresh coolant to effectively maintain the engine’s cooling system.
What are the general projects in American cars?
When car maintenance in the United States, the following items usually mainly include:
1.Engine Oil (Engine Oil)
The role of engine oil is to maintain the smooth operation of the engine.
If it is not replaced for too long, it will cause impurities in the engine, hinder the operation of the engine, and may even cause permanent damage.
Therefore, check the engine oil and replace or add a new engine oil to the basic items for car maintenance to help the engine maintain a good operating state.
Usually, every 3,000 miles need to be checked and replaced with engine oil.
2.Transmission Fluid
The role of gearbox oil is to lubricate the components in the car gearbox while providing a certain cleaning and cooling effect.
If the transmission oil is not updated for a long time, it will cause the gearbox to be shifted normally, affecting the speed adjustment of the driving.In severe cases, the transmission may be burned and needed to repair it.
Therefore, during automobile maintenance, professional and technical personnel will check the transmission oil.The clean and effective gearbox oil is pink with a certain fragrance.There is a certain focus.
- Hand-roll -up vehicles generally need to check and replace it with 30,000 miles to 40,000 miles.
- A general gear vehicle generally needs to be checked and replaced by about 30,000 miles.
3.Power Steering Fluid
The role of power steering motor oil is to keep the hose, piston, valve, and power steering pump in the automotive power operating parts in the best working state.The steering movement made by the driver can quickly respond to adjust the car accordingly.
If the power steering oil is insufficient or turbid, it cannot exert its effect.Each component in the power component will begin to appear rapidly aging phenomenon.During driving, dangerous situations such as steering delay or even failure will occur.
When carried out car maintenance, professional and technical personnel will check the quality of power steering oil.If they think that they need to be replaced, or the driver has felt that the steering ability of the vehicle is weakened, the power steering oil will be replaced or added.
Generally, 40,000 to 50,000 miles need to be checked and replaced with power steering motor oil.
4.Brake Fluid
The role of the brake solution is to effectively help the car can quickly respond to the driver’s brake movement and immediately reduce the speed or stop the car.
Insufficient brake liquid or pollution will directly affect the brake performance of the car.
Therefore, during car maintenance, professional and technical personnel will check the brake fluid, add, or wash the brake fluid to ensure that the brake performance of the car is always in the best state, and it can provide drivers with safe driving performance.
Generally, you need to check the brake oil when driving for more than 20,000 miles, and add or replace it when needed.
5.Cooling/antifreeze (COLANT)
The effect of coolant on the car engine is important.Effective coolant can help effectively adjust the operating temperature of the car.When the car is overheated, it can cool down in time, and when entering the cold area, maintain the temperature, avoid oil freezing, etc.At the same time, it can also be avoided.It plays a role in lubrication and corrosion.
When the coolant is insufficient or contaminated, it cannot play its role normally, and may even damage the cooling parts during operation.
During the maintenance of the car, the technician will check the amount and quality of the coolant.If the quality of the coolant is normal, but the remaining amount is insufficient, the coolant can be added directly.If the coolant is turbid, the residual coolant needs to be discharged.And cooler washed to maintain its normal effect.
Generally, 30,000 to 40,000 miles can check the balance of the coolant and add it when needed.
6.Oil Filter
The role of the oil filter is to filter out some magazines mixed in the oil, including dust, metal abrasives, and carbon accumulation formed by oxidized and glue sediment in high temperature environments.Work performance.
If the oil filter is invalid, the oil cannot enter the engine smoothly, or the engine will enter too much impurities in the engine that causes the engine to be unable to operate effectively, cause wear, etc., and shorten the service life of the engine.
Usually when replacing the oil, the technicians will check the oil filter at the same time and replace it when needed.
The oil filter generally needs to be checked and replaced for about 3,000 miles.
7.Cabin Air Filter
The role of the air filter is to filter the air that enters the engine, intercept various magazines such as dust and leaves to avoid its entering the engine and affecting the normal operation of the engine.
If the air filter fails, it will cause the engine to enter the engine inadequate or enter too much impurities, which will cause the engine to fail to run normally, abnormal jitter or noise, etc., shorten the service life of the engine.
When maintaining a car, the technicians will check the air filter and replace it when needed.
The air filter generally needs to be checked after driving 10,000 miles, and replace it if necessary.If it is driving in a relatively large area of wind and sand, the inspection cycle needs to be shortened.
8.Car tire (Tire)
Tires in normal circumstances are a necessary condition for the safety of the vehicle.It provides sufficient support to make driving more stable, provides sufficient friction, and brakes or decelerate in time.
The maintenance of tires is mainly to check tire presure and tire tread.
Most models have tire pressure detectors, which will be reminded by warning lights when the tire pressure is abnormal.When maintenance, you can also use professional equipment to detect whether the tire pressure of the four tires is normal.
The effective depth of tire lines is the key to the cars with sufficient ground friction.The shallower the tire pattern depth, the lower the frictionability of the tire, and the lower the deceleration performance during braking.
Under normal circumstances, the tire pattern depth and its performance can be referred to the table values below:
| Tire tire depth | Tire performance |
|---|---|
4/32 ″ or deeper | Good performance, safe form |
3/32 ″ | Performance begins attenuation, you need to consider replacing the tire |
2/32 ″ or smaller | Can’t provide effective friction, you need to replace it immediately |
For the detection method that needs to be replaced immediately, you can use ordinary beautiful pointer to face himself to himself, and the Lincoln avatar is inserted into the tire groove in the direction.Tire wear has reached the point where it needs to be replaced.
During maintenance, if the depth of the tire pattern of the four tires is ideal, but because most cars are responsible for driving and turning from the front wheels, the tire pattern on the front desk may be relatively lighter.At this time, the tire rotation can be performed.To make the friction of the four tires more balanced.
Another maintenance content of the tire is tire alignment, which mainly appears in the appearance of the tire, including tire pressure and tire patterns in a better state, but during driving, side bias often occur during driving.Condition.
According to driving habits and road conditions, tires need to be replaced at about 3,000 to 6,000 miles.
9.Spark plug (spark plug)
The role of spark plugs is to transform electrical energy into firepower and help the engine ignition start.It is a key component that cars can quickly launch.
When the spark plugs are aging, the ignition speed of the car will be reduced, and it may not be able to start in severe cases.
Therefore, during car maintenance, check the aging of spark plugs is also a conventional project.If spark plugs are aging, you need to replace them in time.
Depending on the material of spark plugs, the replacement cycle ranges from 20,000 miles to 60,000 miles.Check it at each major maintenance.
10.Car battery (Battery)
The main role of car batteries is power supply and power storage.When the car generator is not generated or the voltage is low, the battery is powered on the engine to ensure its normal operation.When the engine runs normally, the power generation opportunity is powered on the battery, and the battery stores these electricity.
When the battery is aging or damaged, the car cannot be started quickly or even the ignition.At the same time, the battery power storage capacity will be weakened.Even after driving, the battery cannot be stored in power and needs to be replaced immediately.
During maintenance, the technician will check the battery’s energy storage capacity to determine whether they can store power normally, and then provide electrical energy when needed.
Auto batteries are generally replaced every 3 years.
11.Windshield Washer Fluid
The main function of windshield cleaning solution is to clean the windshield, while providing certain anti-freezing, anti-fog properties, anti-static, and lubrication, etc., which can protect the windshield to maintain a clean and solid state.
When the windshield cleaning solution is insufficient, it is impossible to clean the windshield in time, which will affect the driving sight of the driver and easily cause a traffic accident.
During maintenance, the technician will turn on the cleaning of windshield to check the amount of windshield cleaning solution.When insufficient, add it in time.At the same time, the driver can also turn on the cleaning of the windshield function during daily driving to check whether it is stillThere is windshield cleaning solution.
The windshield cleaning solution does not have a fixed adding cycle, which is mainly determined based on the frequency of driving.
12.Brake Pack (Brake Pad)
The main function of the brake pads is that when the driver steps on the brakes, the car wheels are tightly tightened by the pressure provided by the brake system to force the tire to slow down or stop.
During the continuous driving and brakes, the brake pads will become thinner due to wear.When it is too thin, the brake performance may occur, the brake is slow, and even the broken brake pads can cause the brake.
During maintenance, technicians will check the thickness of the brake pads, and they must be replaced when the thickness is less than a certain value.
Generally, it is necessary to check for about 20,000 miles and replace it when needed.
American car maintenance time process
Although car maintenance in the United States mainly considers driving time and mileage, in most cases, driving mileage is a more important consideration value.Usually, it is based on a number of kilometers per driving.It is recommended that the owner conduct car maintenance.
| Mileage mileage | Suggestive maintenance content |
|---|---|
Every 3,000 miles | Check and add various liquids include:
|
Every 6,000 miles | On the basis of the above car maintenance projects, perform:
|
Every 12,000 miles | On the basis of the above car maintenance projects, perform:
|
The total mileage is 15,000 miles | On the basis of the above-mentioned car maintenance projects, the first maintenance is performed.On the basis of the above-mentioned car maintenance projects, you need to check the operating status of the cooling system |
Total mileage 30,000 miles | On the basis of the above-mentioned automobile maintenance projects, the ventilation valve detection and adjust the belt detection |
The total mileage is 45,000 miles | Similar to the large maintenance required for 15,000 miles, you need to check the performance of the gearbox again |
Total mileage 60,000 miles | On the basis of the above-mentioned car maintenance projects, you need to check the status of the belt and pipelines, and at the same time check the spark plug, and replace it if necessary |
Total mileage 100,000 miles | On the basis of the above-mentioned car maintenance projects, you need to check the parts that may lose failure after high mileage. |
What are the precautions for American cars?
1.American car maintenance is Choose Dealership or a general auto repair plant?
If it is the following situation, it is recommended to carry out the original maintenance:
- Buying a new car, the original factory provides a certain number of free maintenance services
- The car is more than 100,000 miles, and it needs to be maintained, and multiple key components may need to be replaced.
If it is the following situation, you can go to the general auto repair plant for maintenance:
- After the number of free maintenance provided by the original factory, conventional small maintenance
- Usually driving habits are better, and the car status is better
- Familiar technologies and reliable auto repair factories can provide more preferential maintenance services
2. What if the mileage or the recommended cycle is not maintained?
If it is only more than a little time or mileage, it will not cause major problems.
If there is a small problem in the car itself, it may cause the problem to be more serious when it exceeds the maintenance period and does not go to the inspection and maintenance, and it must be arranged as soon as possible.
3.Do the replacement parts proposed in all maintenance must be replaced?
Some private auto repair plants need to be replaced during the maintenance process.This needs to be kept in mind, because in conventional maintenance, not all components need to be replaced.You need to replace it.You can hold the reservation.Go to other auto repair plants to confirm multiple times before deciding whether to change to avoid unnecessary waste.
4.Do you need to improve the frequency of car maintenance?
This depends on the environment used by cars.
If you often drive in a muddy and rugged environment, the car bumps are serious, etc., you may need to improve the frequency of maintenance, such as the maintenance of maintenance every 6,000 miles to per 5,000 miles for maintenance.
If you are mainly driving in a flat urban road and your own driving habits are good, you can appropriately reduce the frequency of maintenance, such as the maintenance of every 6,000 miles to maintain it every 7,000 miles.