5 Tips on Car Maintenance

By Thomas Clakins

When it comes to your car, it deserves nothing short of the best. Every car community expert will tell you that maintenance is one of the key things that will keep your car going for a long time to come. Here are some handy tips to help in the upkeep of your car.

i. Oil checking
Your car runs on oil and hence while you need to refill oil every now and then, you also need to make sure that the oil remains clean. Otherwise you risk spoiling the engine. Most car community experts will suggest that you change the oil on a regular basis to prevent the engine shards from getting mixed up with the oil. Make sure to keep a tab on leaks as having a leak can mean running without oil, which can be disastrous for the engine of your car! Ideally as every car community site will tell you, you need to change oil once in every 3 months and completely replace with brand new oil.

ii. Tire pressure
The next thing you need to keep a close watch on is the tire pressure. Regular checks on tire air can help you save on costs associated with fuel expenses. As any car community expert will tell you, ideally you need to keep your tires filled and inflated, even if you feel they are not that squishy. You can easily procure a tire gauge yourself and keep checking on the air pressure. Even too much air can be bad so make sure to remove the excess also. You will also need to regularly keep a watch on tread wear on the tires.

iii. Wiper blade
Usually wiper blades give way when you need them the most. That's why you need to regularly keep a close tab on them. Make sure to check if they're working fine, on a regular basis. Every car community site and expert says that this is most neglected part of the car and it is high time owners gave it more attention. By keeping them in good order you save yourself the trouble of being stranded in rain due to bad visibility!

iv. Vacuuming
When you regularly vacuum your car you not only preserve its beauty but also pave the way for a good resale value later on. Every car community site will quickly tell you that regular vacuuming can take years off your car! If you are feeling a little lazy and don't want to do the vacuuming yourself just take it to a nearby vacuum station! You can use their vacuum machines by paying one or two quarters.

v. Washing underneath
Your car goes through a lot while you ride it. Right from mud, corrosive salty water to even snow - a lot gets accumulated on the underside of your car. This can erode at the vital mechanical parts on the bottom of your car, which is why every car community expert will advise you to give it a wash regularly.

Thomas is a car community expert with autosondisplay.com that is an online car site includes auto pics, auto community and more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Clakins

Maintenance is Every Sump Pump Owner's Responsibility

By Herb Mansfield

A sump pump plays a pivotal role in your home's drainage system. In fact, the effectiveness of your drainage system is wholly dependent on the smooth operation of the pump. At times, sump pump failure does happen, leaving your basement area vulnerable to costly damage. The best way to avoid this potential damage is to closely follow the guidelines laid out in the owner's manual which provides the necessary instructions for proper pump maintenance and operation.

Regardless of what model of sump pump you have, problems associated with pump failure are universal. For this reason, virtually every sump pump owner's manual offers the same tips for pump failure prevention. Although any number of problems may arise with your pump, including a jammed or broken control switch or a burned out motor, the first rule of prevention is to keep your pump clean. Clogging is a major issue in sump pump maintenance. Dirt, debris and a variety of other foreign objects can build up causing a blockage in the inlet screen. The screen's function is to remove small particles of waste along with the water, but it can only handle so much. To properly clean your sump pump, use a pair of rubber gloves to collect all debris. Next, take a garden hose and fill the pump with water. As you fill the pump with water, the float will rise causing the pump to activate again. If your float rises but does not start the system, it is time to consult the troubleshooting section in your manual.

The troubleshooting part of your owner's manual will give you information on what to do in a situation where your pump is not responding as it should. If you have performed the advised cleaning process and your pump still fails to work, you need to check the electrical system. If your pump is plugged into an outlet much like any other appliance outlet, unplug your pump and try plugging in a clock or lamp that you know works. Also check that the breaker is on. If your pump still fails to start, a manual will instruct you to do the following: reset the switch on the motor, check to see that the switch activated by the float is operational, verify that the motor is not burned out from being overused while in the clogged state. As a last resort, your manual will instruct you to check the float switch by moving it up and down. This will have the effect of cleaning dirty switch contacts and operation should resume immediately. Note that the switch should be replaced frequently, and if the switch can be removed, you may want to try and repair the damaged part yourself.

The owner's manual accompanying your sump pump will clearly tell you that your pump will not work effectively unless you perform proper sump pump maintenance. Your sump pump plays an important role in your home, so take the time to read the manual carefully and know how to keep it in good working order.

Herb Mansfield is a master plumber in the province of Quebec, Canada. He has over 35 years experience in the plumbing field. He is now lending his expertise to the Sump Pump Info