Foreword
Most of my friends have told me stories of how they got swindled by getting a raw deal when purchasing a second hand car. Others have complained of how they got overcharged by dishonest mechanics.
To the readers, the author is happy to wish that the pages of this book may help you learn the fastest, easiest, and most comprehensive tips to maintain your car.
The book is also intended to be a guide to those that intend to buy a new or second hand car.
It's a book that every car owner (or anyone intending to) should have.
Detailed Table of Contents
Chapter One: Taking care of car body
Washing your car
Waxing your car
How to repair stone chips
Removing deep scratches
How to remove residue marks (paint) left by other objects
How to remove minor scratches
Chapter Two: How to clean car interior
Vacuuming
How to clean fabric seats and door upholstery
How to clean the carpet
Cleaning and polishing the dashboard
How to get rid of musty smell from the air conditioner
Chapter Three: How to keep the automatic transmission alive
What can damage your automatic transmission?
How to prevent the transmission from damage
How to use overdrive
Servicing your transmission
When it's time to go to the transmission shop
Why my Check Engine light comes on?
What to do if my "Check Engine" light is on?
Is it safe to drive if my "Check Engine" light is on?
Will disconnecting the battery reset the "Check Engine" light?
Where can I buy an OBD (On Board Diagnostics system) scan tool or software?
I’ve been told that overfilling the gas tank also can cause Check Engine light to come on, is it true?
Chapter Four: Car check list before a long trip
Check the tires
Suspension and steering components
CV joint boots
Lights and other electrical equipment
Spare tire, wheel wrench and the jack
Basic emergency kit for your car
Consider GPS Navigation System
Chapter Five: What Drains a Car Battery?
Chapter Six: Consider GPS Navigation System and Car Tracker
What Is a GPS Car Tracker and How Does It Work?
How Can the GPS Car Trackers Be Used?
What to Look for When Choosing a GPS Car Tracker
Chapter Seven: Choosing the right car
Safety
Reliability
Fuel economy
Considering environmental impact
Depreciation
Make or model
Automatic or manual transmission
Considering a car with Diesel engine
Four-cylinder or six
Do I need the ABS?
Is it worth to buy a car 'as is' or in need of some repairs?
Cost of insurance
What mileage is OK for a used car?
How old is not "too old"?
Chapter Eight: Top reasons why your car won’t start
Chapter Nine: Motor Vehicle Clearance
Chapter Ten: How to Register a New Motor Vehicle
Chapter One: Taking care of car body
Washing your car
Wash your car regularly - I'd recommend doing this at least twice every week. Things like bugs, bird's dropping, or limestone dripping damage the paint leaving permanent stains if not washed off in time. When the car is clean, all the moisture dries up quickly, but when it's dirty, the moisture accumulates in dirty areas causing corrosion.
WARNING: Do not use washing pastes to wash your car. They have chemicals that can corrode the paint of your car.
At least once in a while use pressure wash (pressure wash can now be found at many car wash stations) - it removes the dirt from difficult to reach areas. Don't hold the pressure wash jet too close to the painted surfaces; it can peel off the loose paint. Wash off all the places where the dirt and salt could be accumulated; for example, behind moldings, inside wheel arches, under the bumpers, etc. It's particularly helpful after winter season - to wash out all the salt accumulations that speed up the corrosion process. Don't forget to wash all the dirt from the windshield. The sand that's left out on the windshield gets caught by the windshield wipers blades and scratches the windshield when the wipers are operating.
Waxing your car
Wax your car regularly. A car wax gives shiny look to your car and helps to shield the paint from harsh environment, protecting it from fading. It takes only about 30 minutes to wax a whole car and high-quality car wax stays on the car for three - four months. Nothing lasts forever. In order to maintain protective coat any product needs to be reapplied periodically.
How to repair stone chips
The stone chips if not repaired in time will cause corrosion. That's why it's good idea to repair stone chips as soon as they appear.
Make sure the car is clean and dry and you have all you need - the matching spray paint ordered from a dealer and a toothpick. If you have a touch-up paint with the brush you can use it instead, although I found that with a sharp toothpick you can do more accurate job.
After shaking the spray paint very well (for a few minutes) spray very small amount into the cap
Now, slightly deep the end of the toothpick into the paint in the cap. Very carefully, try to fill up the damage with the paint without letting it to come out.
Removing deep scratches
Similarly the deep scratches can be repaired in a similar fashion.
How to remove residue marks (paint) left by other objects
This mark on the bumper was made in the underground parking. If you look very closely it's actuallywhite paint residue over original clearcoat.
Very carefully sand the marks with wet sandpaper (use only ultra-fine waterproof sandpaper) until all marks are gone. If you have never done it before, try on some small spot to see how it works first.
Now there is no mark, but the clearcoat has lost its shine; use polishing compound to restore the shine.
Put small amount of the polishing compound onto the damp sponge and rub well until the clearcoat becomes shiny.
Last step; buff the area with the car wax.
How to remove minor scratches
Scratches made by the bushes are not a big problem, and you can remove these scratches in two steps:
First, use polishing compound to polish the scratches. It contains mild abrasive and removes very thin coat of painting. When you will shop for this kind of product, there are few grades available. You need the one that contains the finest abrasive.
Put a little amount of polishing compound onto a damp sponge and buff the scratched area in a circular motion until scratches disappear. But don't overdo it. I'd suggest trying a small area first, to get used to the process. Then wash off the area completely.
Now it's time to
Imprint
Publisher: BookRix GmbH & Co. KG
Publication Date: 01-08-2021
ISBN: 978-3-7487-7077-0
All Rights Reserved