It's How To Keep Your Vehicle Running Strong!

 

When you get your car washed, you get the underbody spray.

When you walk away from your vehicle, you make sure it's locked.

And when the odometer reaches another 3,000-mile interval, you know exactly what to do.

 

So when you're looking for a little assistance when your car or truck needs maintenance and you turn to ACDelco.

 

ACDelco can help you keep your vehicle running strong. We've created a guide that includes tips, descriptions, pictures and information about how preventive maintenance can pay off.

 

ACDelco — when the right way is the only way. You can rest assured you've come to the right place.

Air Filters

 

What You Should Do

Think about all that stuff that collects on your windshield everyday and you can imagine what your air filter is holding. That's why it should be checked every month or so. Normally, your air filter should be replaced when it's dirty, or as part of a regular tune-up. To learn how to replace an air filter, see Routine Procedures.

 

Air Filters

Regular use of ACDelco Air Filters for the engine and cabin is important for you and your car. Cabin air filters help eliminate common airborne pollutants from the interior of your vehicle while the engine air filter blocks particles that are harmful to the combustion chamber.

 

Oil Filters

An engine run with dirty oil won't last. Help keep it clean with ACDelco Oil Filters that offer high-flow efficiency, the latest filtration technology and durability.

 

Fuel Filters

For consistent fuel flow, count on ACDelco Fuel Filters, mile after mile, to keep dirt, rust and other contaminants from getting into your engine.

 

Transmission Filters

ACDelco Transmission pan filters and magnetic in-line filters are made of high-quality materials, and offer excellent flow combined with long filter life.

Antifreeze/Coolant

What You Should Do

If you want to play it smart, check your antifreeze/coolant levels on a weekly basis, especially in extreme temperatures. Most vehicles have see-through, plastic reservoirs, clearly marked with fill lines to make it easy. Whatever you do, don't open the radiator cap when the vehicle is hot, you'll get scalded! If your radiator fluid is low, top it off in the reservoir. Be sure you use the proper radiator fluid (this should be listed in your owner's manual), mixed with the proper amount of water (read the packaging for the best mixture). It's also a good idea to have your vehicle's radiator flushed by a service professional at least every other year (this involves emptying the radiator and flushing it out with water). To learn how to flush your own radiator, see Routine Procedures

Battery/Cables

 

What You Should Do

Although you can usually count on a battery to last a good three-to-five years, you should still keep an eye on it, as well as your battery cables. If you own an ACDelco Battery, you can check its condition by looking at the "eye" located on the top of the battery.

 

The color of the eye will indicate if it's in need of a charge or replacement. Green indicates the battery is charged enough for testing; black indicates the battery needs to be charged before testing. If the eye is clear or yellow, the battery needs to be replaced. To learn how to change a battery, see Routine Procedures.

Also, make sure the battery cables are fastened securely and not corroded. If you find corrosion around the battery terminals, clean the terminals and the cables thoroughly. To do this, just mix a little baking soda with water and use a toothbrush to carefully brush around the cable connectors. If corrosion is excessive, replace the cables. To learn how, see Routine Procedures.

 

What Could Happen if You Don't

Neglecting your vehicle's battery could leave you stranded. Corroded battery cables can also lead to weak starts or no starts if the corrosion is heavy enough to interrupt the electrical connection.

 

Whether you're travelling by car, heavy-duty truck, snowmobile, boat or motorcycle, ACDelco makes a battery that's maintenance-free and long-lasting. It's part of our All Seasons, All Reasons philosophy.

 

Professional Battery
Real Car Guys know that if you want your battery to last longer, get the one built for the long haul: an ACDelco Professional Battery. See how ACDelco batteries compared with the competition in an independent study.

 

60 Series Car and Truck Battery
For long life and maintenance-free convenience, Real Car Guys look no further than the ACDelco 60 Series Car and Truck Battery. Manufactured for most vehicles on the road today, the 60 Series is tough enough to handle your demanding performance needs.

 

Voyager® Battery
Summer is short enough. Why not make the most of it? Real Car Guys know ACDelco Voyager Batteries are built to last in your boat, personal watercraft, motor homes and RVs. It’s no wonder that professional fishermen Hank Parker and Jimmy Houston prefer Voyager’s long-lasting durability to help them catch the big ones.

 

Heavy-Duty Battery
When you work and play hard, Real Car Guys know the ACDelco Heavy-Duty Battery can keep up. For staying power in off-road vehicles, line-haul trucks, construction, farm, marine and industrial applications, get the battery that meets your demands.

Belts and Hoses

 

What You Should Do

Experts recommend checking, or having somebody check, your vehicle's hoses on a regular basis, such as with every oil change or every six months.

When you check your hoses, look for basic wear, such as cracking and discoloration, which could be signs that they are becoming weak and may eventually burst. It's important to remember that coolant hoses deteriorate from the inside out, so some wear may not be visible. To be safe, change your hoses every four years.

 

Belts should also be checked for signs of wear, including cracking, glazing and fraying, but they can go a little longer between changes. Experts recommend every five years or 50,000 miles.

 

What Could Happen if You Don't

If belts or hoses go too long without maintenance, they can wear out, which can lead to breakage for belts and leaks for hoses. A broken accessory drive belt (which operates the fan, coolant pump and alternator) can not only cause your engine to overheat, it can prevent you from driving altogether.

 

Just as important as checking for wear is making sure your belts are properly tightened and adjusted. A loose alternator belt can slip, preventing your alternator from charging the battery correctly, which could lead to weak starts or, more likely, no starts.

 

Timing belts, if neglected, can cause more damage than any other belt in your engine. This is because the timing belt is responsible for regulating the valve timing with the position of the pistons. If the belt slips or breaks, it can cause the valves to crash into the pistons, which would require extensive repairs for the cylinder head. It may even require a brand new engine altogether. Most timing belts are now made so they won't stretch, and, therefore, do not need adjustments. But they still wear out and, if not replaced in time, will eventually break.

 

Leaking hoses are also bad news. A leaking radiator hose can drain your radiator in no time, leaving your engine without the ability to cool itself, leading quickly to overheating. Even a pin-hole leak in a radiator hose can slowly drain your radiator.

Brakes

 

What You Should Do

When it comes to brake maintenance, don't wait until you feel your brake pedal pulsate (unless you have antilock brakes, in which case a pulsating brake pedal would be normal in heavy braking situations), hear that high-pitched squealing (caused by the warning bar and indicating your brake pads are just about gone), or hear a harsh scraping noise, before you check them out.

 

Most experts agree that your brakes should be checked about every 15,000 to 20,000 miles, though this can vary depending how you drive. Brakes can be tricky — let a professional make the assessment (many brake shops will provide free brake inspections).

 

Be sure you also remember to check your brake fluid. The brake fluid should be monitored monthly, and fluid added as necessary. Make sure to check your owner's manual for the proper fluid.

 

What Could Happen if You Don't

It's important to be sure you're on top of the situation when it comes to brakes, because neglecting them could lead to serious problems. In fact, the Car Care Council reports that brake failure is the leading mechanical cause of highway accidents. If you wait until you hear strange noises coming from your brake system, you may already be causing damage to your brake drums, pads or rotors. This could mean extensive repair costs or, potentially, serious injury should your vehicle's brakes fail in an emergency situation.

Emissions

 

What You Should Do

Checking your vehicle's emission system may be a job for a professional, especially if you drive a newer car. For instance, in the "old days," the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve, an emission control device, was an easy item for any do-it-yourselfer to check and replace, but newer vehicles have computerized emission control systems, which can be tricky in terms of maintenance and repairs. When in doubt, have a certified technician check out your entire emission system, including the PCV valve, catalytic converter, the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve, exhaust manifold and the air pump. This should be done every 6,000 miles or six months.

 

What Could Happen if You Don't

If any of your emission components (PCV valve, catalytic converter, EGR valve, muffler, tailpipe, exhaust manifold or air pump) are in bad shape, your car could be difficult to start, could run roughly or could be excessively noisy. It could also be contributing to air pollution problems.

Because newer vehicles have computerized emission systems, it's probably a good idea to have them checked by a professional technician.

Shock Absorbers

What You Should Do

Shock absorbers usually wear out gradually, but there are many factors that can affect the rate and severity of wear. A general rule of thumb is to check your shocks if your vehicle has about 25,000 miles on it. After that, they should be checked every 6,000 miles. Check for signs of seepage on shock absorbers (oil dripping out of the shock) and test them by bouncing the vehicle up and down. The vehicle should stop bouncing when you step away.

 

What Could Happen if You Don't

If you let your shocks become worn, you could be bouncing, swaying and rocking all over the road. Worn shocks can lead to excessive bouncing when you drive over dips or rough roads, which can accelerate the wear on your tires, not to mention your stomach. Worn shocks can also cause excessive rocking when you stop and can cause your vehicle to sway whenever you make lane changes.

 

It's also important to note that when your shocks leak, they won't be able to provide as much resistance, causing your vehicle to bounce. This could also mean problems when you apply your brakes. That's because worn shocks tend to cause your vehicle to "drift" when you brake firmly.

 

You might not know there is a problem with your shocks until the ride becomes uncomfortable, so it's best to check them — or have them checked — regularly by certified technician.

Spark Plugs

What You Should Do

Even though many of today's vehicles are equipped with superior platinum spark plugs that don't need to be changed as often as the copper plugs, that doesn't mean they don't need to be checked. If the plugs are corroded, the plug gaps are too great, or your vehicle has gone 30,000 miles on the same set, replace them. The gap is the distance the spark travels and can be measured with a gap gauge (you can find these at most auto parts stores). To learn more about checking and changing spark plugs, see Routine Procedures.

 

What Could Happen if You Don't

When spark plugs become worn or fouled, or the gap distance is off, they can experience what the Car Care Council (a non-profit organization dedicated to educating motorists about the benefits of proper vehicle maintenance) calls "ignition bankruptcy," meaning there will be no spark at the plugs and you'll have trouble starting or your engine will run roughly. And, having them checked regularly can help save you money by eliminating unnecessary repair costs!

Tires

 

What You Should Do

Make a habit of checking the air pressure in your tires when you stop for gas. You'll need to know the proper air pressure for your tires (check your owner's manual) as well as have a tire gauge. See Routine Procedures for more information. Also, when you replace original tires, try to select replacement tires that are the same size. Checking to be sure your tires are properly inflated can help prolong their life, especially since they tend to gradually deflate over time. When your tires are properly inflated, tread wear will be minimized and tire life extended. Proper tire inflation can also help improve your gas mileage.

 

But, keeping your tires inflated correctly isn't the only thing you need to do for them. You should also rotate your tires on a regular basis, approximately every 15,000 miles. Make sure to check the owner's manual for proper rotation patterns; improperly rotating your tires can damage them. And, since potholes can do some serious damage to the alignment of your wheels, regular wheel alignments are recommended as well.

 

What Could Happen if You Don't

Several things can go wrong if you drive on improperly inflated tires. And it's important to remember that over-inflated tires are just as dangerous as under-inflated tires.

 

Over-inflated tires are easier to puncture and can be easily burst by sudden impact, such as hitting a pothole. Over-inflation may also lead to improper wear on the tires, which shortens their lifespan.

 

On the other hand, under-inflated tires can overheat as a result of too much friction. Additionally, underinflation reduces your gas mileage and can lead to uneven wear.

 

Neglecting your tires will likely mean you'll have to purchase a new set sooner than if you had maintained them. Don't forget that worn tires are more likely to blow out — and we don't have to tell you (do we?) that this can be dangerous. Of course, a flat will likely be a hassle for you as well (tires seem to have a knack for blowing out at the least opportune time, don't they?).

Transmission Fluid

 

What You Should Do

Although many vehicles with automatic transmissions can go as far as 100,000 miles before having the transmission fluid changed, it's still good to keep an eye on it. Over time, a transmission can receive a good amount of abuse.

 

Maintaining your transmission fluid can help improve the cooling efficiency in the transmission. When you take your car in for its regular oil change or when you change the oil, all fluid levels should be checked as well.

 

Consult your owner's manual for directions on how to check your transmission fluid. Fluid can be added if needed, but it's important not to overfill the reservoir. While it is possible — in newer cars — to go 100,000 miles between transmission fluid changes, it's recommended that you change your transmission fluid every two years or 25,000 miles.

 

What Could Happen if You Don't

The transmission fluid is responsible for acting as a transmission lubricant and coolant. Neglecting it can cause problems with shifting and can even lead to transmission failure.

information from www.acdelco.com