There’s some basic upkeep that every vehicle needs to ensure that it keeps running efficiently. Most experts recommend a thorough tune-up every 30,000 miles or so (some stretch it to 50,0000), but some things should be checked/serviced more frequently.
If you’re trying to save some money these days, you can do a lot of these things in an afternoon. Of course, if you’re even a little bit shy around spark plugs or socket wrenches, the service experts at Peruzzi Mitsubishi in Fairless Hills, PA stand ready to help you out (at a very affordable price).
Still, if you’d like to tackle these routine maintenance chores, here are some tips.
REPLACE THE SPARK PLUGS
The best time to check your spark plugs is at night when you can better spot any “sparks” or arcs as the engine idles. If you do see any sparks, that’s a sign that the plug may be damaged. One more way to check is to use a spray bottle of water and spritz around the ends of the plug: if there are arcs or you hear a “snap-crack” sound, that indicates that your wires could be leaking, exposed or cracked. Get yourself some new plugs ASAP.
INSTALL A NEW AIR FILTER
It’s good practice to replace this between 15,000 and 30,000 miles, sooner if you smell something funny when you start the engine. When you remove it, remember the direction it was facing; vacuum or wipe down the filter box. Install the new filter and reattach the cover.
CHANGE THE OIL
For this, you’ll need gloves, goggles, a funnel, box-end wrench, oil filter wrench, and a pan to drain the old oil into. Oh, and compatible fresh oil! To start, park on a flat surface and engage the parking brake. Let the engine run for about a minute to help the old oil become less thick, but don’t let it run too long or the oil will be too hot to handle. Use a car jack and stands to raise the vehicle. Open the hood, locate the oil fill cap on top of the engine, and remove it. Get under the engine and place the pan beneath; remove the oil drain plug with the wrench and let it drain.
Use the oil filter wrench to remove it and wipe off the mounting with a clean rag. Coat the new filter gasket with some fresh oil and install it by hand until the gasket connects to the filter mount. Give it an extra turn to seal it and reinstall the oil drain plug using a new washer.
Now, head back to the top of the engine and refill with the recommended type of oil in your owner’s manual. Put the cap on, and let the engine run for a bit to check for any leaks. If there are none, lower the car and use a dipstick to check the levels.
These are three easy maintenance tips, but if you aren’t quite sure of yourself – or don’t have the time – the service department at Peruzzi Mitsubishi in Fairless Hills, PA can handle them and have you in and out in a flash.
