Industry experts are predicting that by the year 2000 the average age of
automobiles on the road will be 10 years. But, without proper
maintenance, a car might last only half that long. Going beyond standard
oil, air and fuel filter changes can protect one of a consumer’s most
significant investments.
"The best way to prolong the life of a car is through regular,
preventive plus predictive care of the car’s engine and its
systems," said Horst Abramowski, technical director for Radiator
Specialty Company, one of the country’s leading manufacturers and
distributors of chemical additives. "Many recommended maintenance
activities are simple, affordable procedures that car owners can perform
themselves.
"For example, the automotive aftermarket offers a full line of
chemical additives for everything from brakes to transmissions.
Additives can help safeguard systems, preventing damage and eliminating
the need for expensive repairs," he said.
Keeping It Clean
The obvious upkeep, Abramowski said, is a car’s exterior. Cleaning —
car washes, waxes and upholstery cleaner — can prevent rust, wear and
tear and keep a car looking newer longer, something that can be
critically important when selling a pre-owned vehicle. It is also
important to keep what’s under the hood clean, and not just for
appearance’s sake. Dirt and grease build-up can be harmful to your
car’s engine.
"Look under your hood," advises Abramowski. "A build-up
of grease and grime can contaminate your engine, binding linkages,
clogging vital passages and inhibiting heat transfer. Degreasers provide
an affordable cleaning solution that, when used correctly, can keep your
engine out of the repair shop."
According to Abramowski, cleaners and degreasers such as Solder Seal®/Gunk®
Engine Brite® quickly remove grease, dirt and grime that can cause
engine damage, and a self-emulsifying formula enhances rinsing and
further simplifies the cleaning process.
Experts also recommend that you clean the inside of your engine every
30,000 to 40,000 miles. You can’t see it, but gums, varnishes and
sludge accumulate on internal engine parts. Products such as MotorFlush
break down this build-up, releasing sticky valves and piston rings,
allowing oil to circulate freely to all parts of the motor. When used
before an oil change, engine cleaners can greatly improve the
performance of a car’s engine.
Cleaners such as Fuel Injector and Carburetor Cleaner, Motor Medic® and
Valve Medic® also contribute to maintaining an engine that can last
several hundred thousand miles, according to Abramowski.
Undercar Care
While a car’s engine is working hard to keep it moving, your brakes
are busy helping it stop. It makes sense that your brakes would also
accumulate a build-up of surface contaminants, such as oil, grease and
brake dust. High performance brake cleaners allow do-it-yourselfers to
clean brakes without disassembly, improving brake action and reducing
brake noise.
As today’s brakes are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with
designs including electronic sensors and exotic alloy metals, they are
more susceptible to damage and corrosion from contaminant build-up. As
Anti-lock Brake Systems (ABS) become standard equipment in most new
cars, owners should take special care to keep these systems performing
to full advantage.
"The benefit of ABS brakes is that they actually pump the brakes
for you, preventing wheel lock-up and providing steering control,"
said Abramowski, who assisted in the recent introduction of a Solder
Seal®/Gunk® ABS Brake Fluid that exceeds DOT 3 specifications.
"In order to provide optimal performance protection, the brake
system needs a consistent supply of brake fluid. Low levels of brake
fluid can result in corrosion, foaming and damage," he said.
The Department of Transportation has set standards for brake fluid
performance, and these should be clearly labeled on the product
container. Check your car manufacturer’s manual to determine what
level of protection your car requires.
"ABS Brake Fluid is a premium product designed to safeguard
today’s cutting-edge braking systems," Abramowski said. "Its
extreme temperature formulation protects ABS braking systems in all
climates from summer in South Florida to mid-winter in the mountains of
Washington."
Underhood Maintenance
As with brakes, there have been considerable changes in the design and
technology of many car parts and systems since their invention more than
a century ago. But 100 years later, radiators still provide the basic
function of maintaining a consistent engine temperature.
An engine that is too hot or too cold can perform poorly or fail to
perform at all. Motorists should maintain a level of radiator fluid to
ensure optimal performance. Monitor the level by looking under the hood
and by checking your driveway or parking place for tell-tale spots of
green fluid.
A slow leak might be the result of corrosion or of old, ineffective
seals. These both can be repaired inexpensively with additives, which
cost just a few dollars for a one-time use bottle, versus costs upwards
of $500 to replace a radiator.
"Seals shrink, harden and deteriorate with age, and coolant can
leak from the radiator. When poured into the radiator, stop-leak
products add an expanding seal and restore function," said
Abramowski.
Also important to maintain is the car’s transmission. Like engines,
transmissions need to be kept clean to operate efficiently. Left
unclean, fluid will oxidize in your transmission, causing friction and
sluggishness. Cleaners and solvents such as TransMedic will eliminate
slippage and rough shifting and protect your transmission.
Protecting Your Investment
Preventive maintenance can keep an automobile running well, and
automotive additives provide an affordable alternative to costly
professional repairs. Found in automotive stores and the automotive
aisles of many discount merchandisers and grocery stores, automotive
additives can help save consumers thousands in repair costs and keep a
car lasting longer.
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This page was last updated October 23, 2002
