How To Keep Your Car
Running Smoothly

If you're one of those people who barely look under your car's hood until something goes wrong, you could be endangering your car's health. Here's some basic maintenance to keep your car running smoothly:

• Check your fan belts and hoses for wear and tear. They're the first to go.



• Check your oil every two weeks. Some of today's cars run hotter than ever. You don't have to spend a lot of money on expensive oils. Just follow the recommendation in your owner's manual.



• Drain and replace the antifreeze at least every two years. This will keep your cooling system unclogged.



• Replace the automatic transmission fluid and filter every 36,000 miles.

• Run your car's air conditioner for about five minutes each month, even during the winter. This keeps the system well lubricated and helps prevent failures.



• Run your car's heater for five to 10 minutes a few times during the summer to prevent the air distribution system from sticking or seizing.

• Check the tires twice a month for abnormal wear. Rotate tires every 7,500 miles to preserve them.



• Check battery terminals for white deposits. Use a wire brush to whisk off deposits, then clean the entire battery with a mixture of two teaspoons baking soda and one pint of water.



• Wax your car three times a year — summer, fall and spring.



• Lubricate door hinges and locks with penetrating grease or graphite lubricant spray once a year.