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Made popular by brands like Amsoil and Mobil 1, die-hard gear heads, racers and enthusiasts started using synthetic oil exclusively. Unfortunately, it wasn't until almost two decades later that the major oil companies started offering synthetics to the masses. Despite the number of benefits over mined oil (the stuff they pump out of the ground), Americans still haven't fully embraced this advanced technology.
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Your timing belt is the most important maintenance item in your engine. Think of your timing belt as the conductor of the complex mechanical orchestra that is your car's engine. If things don't happen just at the right time, the whole piece is thrown off.
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Why is it that we never seem to remember to change our windshield wipers? You know you need 'em, you know they're cheap, you know how easy it is to install new wipers, but your windshield is still carrying those worn out, useless strips of rubber.
There's one time we always remember to change our wipers - when it starts to rain. Unfortunately that's the worst time to tackle such an easy job. The next 10 minutes of your time, outside in the dry, sunny weather, should be spent replacing your windshield wipers, so check out these easy steps.
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Your car's radiator needs to be clean to be cool. As time goes on, your car's radiator builds solid deposits that can clog the cooling system. A quick, inexpensive radiator flush can keep the system in shape.
Before you start your radiator flush, make sure you have everything you need. There's nothing worse than draining your radiator only to realize that you need to drive to the auto store for something!
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Regular maintenance should always include a check of your car's fluid levels. Power steering may seem like a luxury you could live without (as if) but if it fails you could be putting yourself in danger. A car designed to have power steering can be very hard to steer without it. If it goes suddenly, you could lose control of the vehicle and end up in a very bad place.
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If you had to pick one thing your car can't be without (please don't say the cupholder) it would be the brakes. A perfect running car that starts on the coldest mornings and purrs like a milk-faced kitten doesn't amount to much if you can't stop when you need to. That's why you should be sure to take good care of your car's braking system. This includes keeping your brake pads replaced, inspecting your brake rotors and, of course, making sure there is enough clean brake fluid to keep the system operating correctly.
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Lots of things have changed in recent decades when you talk about the "tune-up." Back when the phrase was coined, you had to get under the hood with screwdrivers and do things like adjust ignition points, replace condensors, set engine timing and change your spark plugs. Wait, we can still change the spark plugs! It's one of the last surviving elements of the classic tune-up. Most cars still have a spark plug or 8 in there someplace, and even today's technology hasn't stopped them from wearing out. It's an easy maintenance procedure that can make your car run more smoothly and increase your gas mileage.
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Spark plug wires are pretty durable. They aren't a moving part so they don't wear out too often. A careful inspection of your plug wires can avoid any problems.
The only thing that can really go wrong with a plug wire is a break in the insulation. The insulation (the rubber on the outside of the wire) keeps the electricity where it needs to be so it sparks on the inside of your engine, not someplace else before it gets there. If the insulation is cracked, the spark will jump off the wire, or arc, onto something metal under the hood.
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A clean windshield can be very important in terms of your safety. If you can't see, you can't drive! Or you shouldn't be driving. Luckily, there's no excuse for driving with a dirty windshield since your car came equipped with its own cleaning system. All you have to do is keep the bottle full and pull the little lever inside the car.
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