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Routine Preventative MaintenanceRoutine Preventative Maintenance

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Routine Preventative MaintenanceRoutine Preventative Maintenance

• to maximize the fuel economy & longevity of a vehicle and to maximize the fuel economy & longevity of a vehicle and minimize breakdowns, maintenance should be performed minimize breakdowns, maintenance should be performed regularlyregularly

• the frequency will depend on…the frequency will depend on…

type of drivingtype of driving distance driven every monthdistance driven every month age and condition of the vehicleage and condition of the vehicle

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Inspecting Engine Oil Level & ConditionInspecting Engine Oil Level & Condition

1. Engine off1. Engine off

2. Vehicle must be on level ground.2. Vehicle must be on level ground.

3. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean.3. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean.

4. Reinsert the dipstick and remove it again.4. Reinsert the dipstick and remove it again.

5. Oil level should be at the full mark. 5. Oil level should be at the full mark.

If it is at the add mark, add 1 liter of new engine oil.If it is at the add mark, add 1 liter of new engine oil.

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Engine Oil ChangesEngine Oil Changes

• engine oil minimizes metal-to-metal contactengine oil minimizes metal-to-metal contact

• without oil, an engine would run for a few minutes and then without oil, an engine would run for a few minutes and then seize!seize!

• over time, oil gets dirty and condensation accumulatesover time, oil gets dirty and condensation accumulates

• oil needs to be replaced every 5,000 to 7,000 km or 3 to 4 times oil needs to be replaced every 5,000 to 7,000 km or 3 to 4 times per year (check manufacturer’s recommendations)per year (check manufacturer’s recommendations)

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Changing engine oilChanging engine oil

1.1. Warm up the engine (at least 10 minutes)Warm up the engine (at least 10 minutes)

2.2. Shut off the engineShut off the engine

3.3. Use a socket or closed-end wrench to remove the drain plugUse a socket or closed-end wrench to remove the drain plug

the engine & its oil will be hot! Be careful not to burn your the engine & its oil will be hot! Be careful not to burn your fingers!fingers!

4.4. Allow the oil to drain completely (10 minutes or more)Allow the oil to drain completely (10 minutes or more)

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Replace Oil FilterReplace Oil Filter

Oil filter removes metal particles, dirt & dustOil filter removes metal particles, dirt & dust

5. Remove it by unscrewing counterclockwise by hand or with an 5. Remove it by unscrewing counterclockwise by hand or with an oil filter wrenchoil filter wrench

Filter will leak out ½ liter of oil or more – use drip pan!Filter will leak out ½ liter of oil or more – use drip pan!

6. Oil the new gasket with clean oil6. Oil the new gasket with clean oil

7. Install the new oil filter and tighten it only by 7. Install the new oil filter and tighten it only by handhand, , notnot with with the oil filter wrench!!!the oil filter wrench!!!

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Drain Plug GasketDrain Plug Gasket

8. inspect the drain plug gasket – replace if needed 8. inspect the drain plug gasket – replace if needed Roger can provide you with a new oneRoger can provide you with a new one

reinstall the plug by hand first, followed by the wrenchreinstall the plug by hand first, followed by the wrench

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Adding New OilAdding New Oil 9. Add the correct 9. Add the correct amountamount and and typetype of oil (use a of oil (use a funnel)funnel)

Amount: Amount: 3 or 4 cylinder engines – 3 liters of oil3 or 4 cylinder engines – 3 liters of oil 6 or 8 cylinder engines – 4 liters of oil6 or 8 cylinder engines – 4 liters of oil

• Check the level on the dipstick at this pointCheck the level on the dipstick at this point• The amount of oil between low and full is 1 literThe amount of oil between low and full is 1 liter

Type:Type:

Most vehicles use type SM, 5W-30 oil.Most vehicles use type SM, 5W-30 oil.

• Read the oil cap or consult “Mitchell”Read the oil cap or consult “Mitchell”

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Completing the oil change…Completing the oil change…

10. Once the dipstick shows the oil level is full, you 10. Once the dipstick shows the oil level is full, you are ready to start the engine!are ready to start the engine!

• DO NOTDO NOT press on the gas pedal!press on the gas pedal!

• Immediately check the oil filter & drain Immediately check the oil filter & drain

plug forplug for leaksleaks

• Make sure theMake sure the oil lightoil light goes out after 5 – 10 goes out after 5 – 10 seconds, or the seconds, or the oil pressure gaugeoil pressure gauge moves into the moves into the normal range after 5 – 10 secondsnormal range after 5 – 10 seconds

• Shut off the engine and recheck your oil level – Shut off the engine and recheck your oil level – add more oil if neededadd more oil if needed

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Engine CoolantEngine Coolant

1. visually inspect the coolant level & condition in the expansion 1. visually inspect the coolant level & condition in the expansion bottle bottle

(DO NOT REMOVE THE RADIATOR CAP!)(DO NOT REMOVE THE RADIATOR CAP!)

2. if it is low, add a mixture of water and antifreeze 2. if it is low, add a mixture of water and antifreeze

(50% each)(50% each) standard antifreeze: green, standard antifreeze: green, yellowyellow or or blueblue long life coolant: long life coolant: pinkpink

Do NOT mix these 2 coolants!

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Testing Engine CoolantTesting Engine Coolant

1) Use an antifreeze tester to examine color, clarity & temperature 1) Use an antifreeze tester to examine color, clarity & temperature protection levelprotection level

2) Test the coolant for excessive acidity by using a voltmeter2) Test the coolant for excessive acidity by using a voltmeter• connect negative to ground & place the positive voltmeter lead into connect negative to ground & place the positive voltmeter lead into

the coolantthe coolant <.5 volt is acceptable<.5 volt is acceptable >.6 volt coolant is too acidic & needs replacing>.6 volt coolant is too acidic & needs replacing

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Automatic Transmission Fluid - ATFAutomatic Transmission Fluid - ATF

1. Vehicle on level ground.1. Vehicle on level ground.

2. Engine running (most cars).2. Engine running (most cars).

3. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean.3. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean.

4. Reinsert the dipstick and remove it again.4. Reinsert the dipstick and remove it again.

5. Oil level should be at the full mark if the engine is 5. Oil level should be at the full mark if the engine is completely warmed up or at the add mark if it is cold. completely warmed up or at the add mark if it is cold. DO NOT OVERFILL THE TRANSMISSION!DO NOT OVERFILL THE TRANSMISSION!

New ATF

Oxidized ATF

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Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)

ATF should be replaced every 40,000kmATF should be replaced every 40,000km

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Power Steering FluidPower Steering Fluid

• Oil level should be at the full mark Oil level should be at the full mark

if the engine is completely warmed if the engine is completely warmed

up or at the add mark if it is cold.up or at the add mark if it is cold.

Tech Tip:Tech Tip: Check the owner’s manual Check the owner’s manual

or read the dipstick to make sure you or read the dipstick to make sure you

are adding the correct type of power are adding the correct type of power

steering fluid – this is critical!steering fluid – this is critical!

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Brake FluidBrake Fluid

1. Clean the brake fluid reservoir and ensure the fluid is full.1. Clean the brake fluid reservoir and ensure the fluid is full.

2. Remove the cap and look at the color of the fluid2. Remove the cap and look at the color of the fluid

~ it should look like apple juice~ it should look like apple juice

~ if it is gray or black, it should be flushed out (every 2 years)~ if it is gray or black, it should be flushed out (every 2 years)

Tech Tip: Tech Tip: Never use oil in the brake system!Never use oil in the brake system!

Tech Tip: Tech Tip: Be careful - brake fluid can ruin the paint!!! Be careful - brake fluid can ruin the paint!!!

Tech Tip: Tech Tip: Only use new brake fluid from a sealed container.Only use new brake fluid from a sealed container.

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Hydraulic Clutch Fluid – used on some manual transmissionsHydraulic Clutch Fluid – used on some manual transmissions

• Hydraulic clutches use brake fluid as the working fluidHydraulic clutches use brake fluid as the working fluid

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Differential Fluid Level (rear drive & 4 wheel drive)Differential Fluid Level (rear drive & 4 wheel drive)

Differentials usually require 80W90 gear oilDifferentials usually require 80W90 gear oil

Some differentials employ a limited slip device which may require a Some differentials employ a limited slip device which may require a

specialized lubricant!specialized lubricant!

Check the owner’s manual or consult MitchellCheck the owner’s manual or consult Mitchell

Oil level should be at the bottom of the filler plug hole (yellow arrow)Oil level should be at the bottom of the filler plug hole (yellow arrow)

green arrow is pointing to the drain pluggreen arrow is pointing to the drain plug

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Checking Manual Transmission FluidChecking Manual Transmission Fluid

manual transmissions may use…manual transmissions may use… 80W90 weight gear oil80W90 weight gear oil engine oilengine oil ATF ATF

check with owner’s manual or consult Mitchellcheck with owner’s manual or consult Mitchell

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Chassis Lubrication – required on some older vehiclesChassis Lubrication – required on some older vehicles

Check steering, suspension & drive shafts for grease fittings…Check steering, suspension & drive shafts for grease fittings…

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Door HingesDoor Hinges

squirt a small amount of engine oil on the moving hinge squirt a small amount of engine oil on the moving hinge pins (2 on each door)pins (2 on each door)

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Engine Air FiltersEngine Air Filters

• engines suck in huge quantities of airengines suck in huge quantities of air• the air filter removes any dust from the air so that piston the air filter removes any dust from the air so that piston rings and cylinder walls aren’t damagedrings and cylinder walls aren’t damaged

Tech TipTech Tip: dirty air filters cause the engine to run rich, and this : dirty air filters cause the engine to run rich, and this wastes fuel and pollutes the environment!wastes fuel and pollutes the environment!

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Cabin Air FilterCabin Air Filter• common on cars built since the late 1990’scommon on cars built since the late 1990’s• traps dust, bugs, etc. from entering the ventilation systemtraps dust, bugs, etc. from entering the ventilation system• replace yearly under average driving conditionsreplace yearly under average driving conditions

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Accessory Drive BeltsAccessory Drive Belts

• belt(s) spin alternator, water pump, power steering pump & AC belt(s) spin alternator, water pump, power steering pump & AC compressorcompressor

• can be either a v-beltcan be either a v-belt• or serpentine belt (pictured on next slide)or serpentine belt (pictured on next slide)• check for cracks, tears or glazing (a polished surface)check for cracks, tears or glazing (a polished surface)

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Accessory Drive Belt InspectionAccessory Drive Belt Inspection

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Windshield Washer FluidWindshield Washer Fluid

• Do not use plain water!Do not use plain water!

• Don’t use other soaps like dishwashing detergent!Don’t use other soaps like dishwashing detergent!

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Tire PressureTire Pressure

• incorrect tire pressure can…incorrect tire pressure can… waste fuelwaste fuel cause poor handlingcause poor handling shorten tire lifeshorten tire life reduce braking efficiencyreduce braking efficiency

• tire pressure is listed on a sticker on the driver’s door jamb or tire pressure is listed on a sticker on the driver’s door jamb or glove box doorglove box door

• typical tire pressures are between 26 and 32 PSItypical tire pressures are between 26 and 32 PSI

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Maintenance Activity…Maintenance Activity…

• during one of our first lab days, inspect the various fluids, belts & air during one of our first lab days, inspect the various fluids, belts & air filter on your own carfilter on your own car

• check & adjust the tire pressure – don’t forget the spare tire check & adjust the tire pressure – don’t forget the spare tire

• get familiar with what serviceable (reusable) items look like, and what get familiar with what serviceable (reusable) items look like, and what items that should be replaced look like items that should be replaced look like