Questions tagged [preventive-maintenance]

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How is rust prevention using oil or grease not a fire hazard?

I understand that in addition to coating the underside of a car with tar (?) to protect it from rust—or to delay rust rather, as it is unavoidable—it is also possible to spray some kind of oil or ...
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Zerk caps for trailer bearings — Installation, tools, and supplies

In a related question, Tools and supplies for roadside trailer bearing repair, @Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 said: Something to think about is to worry about preventive maintenance more than worrying about having a ...
User1974's user avatar
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How often should I check my alternator?

Last week the alternator went out in our van while were passing through a less-than-desirable part of town. Nothing scary, but it was a long process that took an entire afternoon to get it towed to ...
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What Major Components Might Fail Catastrophically Without Warning Over Lifetime of Car? [closed]

Last year I ended up having to replace my alternator "out of the blue", by which I mean I wasn't aware it needed replacing until my car wouldn't start and also wasn't aware that alternators ...
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1 answer
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Dropped a rubber stopper in the engine bay of new vehicle

I recently bought a 2022 Chevy Equinox and cracked the hood for the first time. While doing so I mistakenly forced a hood rubber stopper loose, that fell somewhere in the engine bay. I looked around ...
Cdn_Dev's user avatar
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What are some ways to find out the wax you have done on your motorcycle/car is done properly?

So my this question results form a conversation in chat of some different question. Where an experienced user shared some of his views which makes sense to me. So I want to go in more details. Simply,...
Vikas's user avatar
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2 answers
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Can I wax these specific blue parts of my motorcycle?

So I got overwhelmed by many doubts regarding waxing. I'm new to riding and maintenance. This is my first motorcycle. It has a metal fuel tank with glossy blue metallic paint. The non metal parts (...
Vikas's user avatar
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13 votes
7 answers
6k views

Why have I had to replace so many exhaust pipes?

My largest car maintenance cost is exhaust pipes, mostly catalytic converters. I do not think this is the case for most people. What am I doing wrong? I tend to buy cheap cars (<£500), change the ...
User65535's user avatar
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I have a 1999 Suzuki marauder and need codes

How do I pull service codes from my 1999 Suzuki marauder v800?
Brian Curless's user avatar
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2 answers
8k views

By adding distilled water to AGM battery, it is possible to rejuvenate the battery condition?

I saw some Youtube videos that recommends adding water to AGM battery to extend its life time. However, some do not recommend it. Which is correct? I have a 6 years old car with its original AGM ...
notilas's user avatar
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When to replace tires by tread depth

I just went to the mechanic to do a 60k checkup on my car. He suggested to replace my tires and said my tire tread depth was 5/32 at the front and 4/32 in the rear. I remember growing up and being ...
Classified's user avatar
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What are the key maintenance things I should do to increase my car’s longevity? [duplicate]

I know about things such as changing the oil regularly and keeping the gas tank at least one quarter full at all times, but what other things can I do to increase my car's longevity? I define ...
ifonlyihadcake's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
120 views

Short trip city car - How often to take it for a highway jaunt to burn off condensation / carbon?

I live in a very urban area and work remotely. As such my car only gets driven once every week or so and when it is driven, it is usually only to somewhere a few miles away. I know this is not good ...
Karmapolice's user avatar
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147 views

Is the date on the oil sticker very important?

I'm trying to balance coronavirus with following my oil sticker. We are mostly staying at home and not driving much to avoid coronavirus, so our mileage is still slightly under the mileage on the ...
cmzmuffin's user avatar
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3 answers
115 views

Maintenance - Battery charging under abnormal low-usage conditions

Background Due to the recent coronavirus lockdown, my car hasn't been getting the mileage it's been used to. For reference, it's a 2007 Mercedes E280, with the 3.0L 6-cylinder turbo-diesel & 7-...
Tetsujin's user avatar
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Power steering gear box - should I grease sector shaft (pitman shaft) seal?

1st gen Nissan Xterras are known for getting a power steering leak from the sector shaft seal (the shaft to which the pitman arm attaches) I'm wondering if it makes sense to lather on grease on the ...
wild.coast's user avatar
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1 answer
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Grease added to windshield wiper arm by shop

A few months ago my fiance's cars windshield wiper wasn't working, I looked at it and the bolt was loose. I tightened it down and put loctite on it. It recently went into the dealership for an oil ...
Sam's user avatar
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1 answer
223 views

Should I worry about the battery performance when not using my Xiaomi M365 not being used for a long time?

Before SARS-CoV-2 hit the world, I use to regularly ride my electrical scooter (Xiaomi M365) for commuting. Due to the epidemic the country entered an emergency state and we are all forced to sit @ ...
Alexei's user avatar
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16 votes
2 answers
2k views

What do I need to do to keep my car healthy during an extended period of minimal use [duplicate]

Due to corona virus restrictions, my driving has been reduced to occasional 5 mile round trips to the grocery store. To avoid problems from it just sitting for a week or two between short trips are ...
Dan Is Fiddling By Firelight's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
9k views

How much time driving at operating temperature is adequate to boil off condensation in the engine, exhaust, and gasoline?

Let's say I drive for a total of 20 mins, round trip, each day for 4 days a week (a normal commute to the train station each day for work). The problem is that it's likely not enough time to hit ...
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Revving up engine gives more power to steering

I'm from India and I drive a manual Petrol Maruti Suzuki Baleno. The car handles kind of well and it's been only since I have bought it and has driven for around 10,000 km. Yesterday, I accidentally ...
Aswin Mohan's user avatar
16 votes
2 answers
18k views

Should I perform my first oil change at 1000 miles, or when the manual says?

I've read in various places that you should perform your first oil change on a new car at 1,000 miles or so. But the exact miles are available in the owner's manual. The owner's manual only states to ...
Evorlor's user avatar
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Which Wires to Wrap Anti-Rodent Tape With?

I am planning to wrap some of the wires in my Honda CRV/Accord's engine bay with anti-rodent electrical tape. Which wires should I wrap and which ones should I NOT wrap? Are there other parts that ...
DonQuijote's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
2k views

Does putting your car in park during extended stops during trips prevent transmission from overheating?

We've all been there, waiting on a train at a railroad crossing, or stuck in a traffic jam that doesn't appear to be going anywhere for awhile. Well transmissions are designed to my understanding for ...
Travis's user avatar
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1 answer
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Oil change interval with Citroen/Peugeot BlueHDI 150

I have a Citroen Spacetourer van with the BlueHDI 150 engine, bought new two years ago (in 2017). The prescribed oil change interval is the same as regular maintenance interval, which is every 2 years ...
Pavel's user avatar
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Mazda question re timing chain

How often does a timing chain on a Mazda 3 2013 model need to be changed. At what kms? Thank you in advance 🙏🏻
Julie's user avatar
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1 answer
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How often and for how long a motorbike (Honda CBR 919 RR Fireblade) needs to run in order to be healthy?

I love my motorcycle but I have been thinking about coming to work by bicycle sometimes. My motorcycle is a 1998 Honda CBR 918RR Fireblade I currently use it every week day. On Mondays, after being ...
Marcello Miorelli's user avatar
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0 answers
24 views

Standing Jeep JK - What to watch out for

My Jeep JK developed a bad radiator leak. While trying to decide between new or converting to aluminum retrofit (too expensive to order off overseas shopping sites - import duties), the car is now ...
Anthony Horne's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
6k views

Leaving a car outdoors in very cold weather

Here in Minnesota we're looking at 3 days in a row with temperatures dipping into the negative 30s (Fahrenheit) next week. Obviously this is brutal for humans, but I do not own a garage and typically ...
Hermano23's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
3k views

Should the pulleys/tensioner be replaced with drive belts?

I know that accessory drive belts need to be changed every now and again as the rubber can dry out and crack. I'm planning to replace the accessory drive belts on my 2008 Subaru Outback as ...
WeakMech's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
14k views

Cracks near the tyre tread. Are they concerning?

The guy at the tyre shop tried to convince me that my tyres need replacement. My car is just above 2 years old and I plan to change them after 3 years. Please have a look at the picture and advise.
Ammar Hassan's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
9k views

Do you need to replace a timing chain?

I have a "2012 PASSAT SEL PREMIUM 2.5L Auto" with about 92k miles on it. Around 60k, I have asked my local car mechanic to do the Timing Belt, and he informed me that according to the search he ran ...
KingsInnerSoul's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
60 views

High daily mileage preparation

I know a couple of people who started driving for Lyft and Uber. One of those people plan on doing it full time. I know they haven't even thought of what driving hundreds of miles a day might do to ...
Keltari's user avatar
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2 answers
264 views

Is idling a high milage car good?

Environment aside is idling a crappy car before driving better than not? All the answers to the like questions always say if you have a new car there is no difference except waste. Is this still true ...
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