Introduction
This chapter has been written to help the hobby mechanic keep his vehicle at peak performance, economy, safety and reliability. Further in the Chapter you will find a complete schedule of procedures for the current maintenance of the car, as well as Sections devoted to the description of the maintenance of its individual systems. Sections include descriptions of visual checks, adjustments, component replacements, and other helpful tips. The location of the individual components will help to identify illustrations with views of the engine compartment and the bottom of the car. By servicing your vehicle in accordance with the mileage schedule and following the detailed notes below, you will have a clear maintenance program that can ensure the long and reliable life of your vehicle. Remember that this plan is exhaustive, and the implementation of some of its points and the neglect of others will not give the expected result.
Current care
In the process of car maintenance, you will soon be convinced that it is possible - and necessary - to combine many procedures due to the similarity of actions for their implementation. For example, if the vehicle is raised off the ground to lubricate the chassis, you should simultaneously inspect the exhaust system, suspension, steering system, and fuel system while you are under the vehicle. If the wheels are removed for other work, it makes sense to check the brakes. Finally, suppose you had to borrow or rent a torque wrench. Even if you only need it to tighten the spark plugs, you can also check the tightening torques of as many critical nuts and bolts as you have time.
The first step in a car maintenance program is self-preparation. Carefully study the materials of all Sections related to the upcoming procedures, then prepare all the necessary materials, equipment and tools. If you are afraid of encountering problems when performing any specific work, consult a specialist or a person who has already carried out this work.
Note. Service stations additionally, at each service, using a fault memory interrogator, read data from the fault memory of electronic engine control devices, ABS, airbag and anti-theft system. For this purpose, it is recommended to contact the service station at certain intervals. At the same time, it must be borne in mind that some malfunctions, for example, failed sensors of the engine management system, do not lead to a noticeable decrease in vehicle performance. The control devices have an emergency operation mode or operate on averaged parameter values stored in the memory, which cannot be detected by the driver. Interrogation of the fault memory is carried out through the diagnostic connector.
Service is carried out in accordance with a certain period and mileage of the car.