AAA Offers Five Easy Tips to Keep Your Vehicle in Tip-Top Shape
4 October 2000
AAA Offers Five Easy Tips to Keep Your Vehicle in Tip-Top Shape; 'Take Five for Auto Fitness,' AAA Advises During National Car Care Month
SAN FRANCISCO--Oct. 3, 2000--Before a cold and wet winter settles in, AAA advises Northern California motorists to "take five for auto fitness," with five simple but essential vehicle maintenance tasks best completed during the fall."October is National Car Care Month," said Lance Sabouni, manager, marketing and administration, AAA of Northern California, Automotive Services Division. "This is the time each year we like to remind vehicle owners how important it is to get regular maintenance checks and service on their cars. By following some basic guidelines themselves, or getting routine inspections from a reputable professional, owners can prevent costly repairs, save on gas, and avoid emergency situations on the highway."
AAA's "Take Five for Auto Fitness" Maintenance Tips
1) Check all fluid levels, vehicle lights, belts and hoses.
Refill, replace or adjust as necessary.
2) Replace windshield wiper blades if they are more than six
months old.
3) Change the oil if it has been more than six months or 5,000
miles since the last change. Older vehicles will require more
frequent oil changes.
4) Check to make sure the coolant has been flushed and changed as
recommended by the vehicle maintenance schedule.
5) Inspect and rotate tires and check brakes if it has been more
than 7,500 miles since this was last done.
Vehicle maintenance schedules and practices have changed greatly over the last 100 years, but AAA, now celebrating its Centennial, maintains that one piece of common-sense advice remains true today: By taking the time to examine the condition of your vehicle, you will increase its operational safety and efficiency, prolong the vehicle's life, and even improve its fuel economy.
To assist motorists in better understanding how to maintain their vehicle, AAA has prepared a variety of automotive maintenance Web pages at www.aaa.com and some are available in brochure format at local AAA offices:
| -- | Make Sense of Car Care-- consumer tips on inspecting and maintaining your vehicle. www.csaa.com/automotive/autocare/carcareindex.asp |
| -- | Maintaining and Repairing your Car--a comprehensive but non-technical guide to nine essential car maintenance functions, plus AAA's Consumer Repair Guide and dictionary www.aaa.com/automotive/newauto/auto.html |
| -- | Automotive FAQs-- frequently asked questions AAA receives about vehicle maintenance, repair and purchasing. www.csaa.com/automotive/autocare/faq.asp |
| -- | Gas Watcher's Guide-- how to save money and get more mileage out of your fuel. www.csaa.com/automotive/resources/gas_watcher.asp |
| -- | AAA Approved Auto Repair Facilities -- quick search directory of more than 700 AAA Approved Auto Repair(SM) facilities throughout Northern California, Nevada and Utah; all have met exacting standards of reliability and quality with their mechanical repairs. www.csaa.com/automotive/autocare/autodiag-aarinfo.asp |
Safety Comes First: Due to the complex nature of today's vehicles, it is essential to use the utmost care when working on your car or truck. Before attempting any service or repair, consult your owner's manual. Be sure you understand the service procedure completely, have the proper tools, and adhere to all safety precautions, including handling instructions for any chemicals you are using. If you are unsure about any repair, consult a professional technician.
