Proper Preventive Maintenance For Vehicles - Preventive Maintenance

Activity 1:

Observe the given images below and answer the questions that follow in complete sentence.

1. What can you say about the images being presented? 

2. If you are the vehicle owner, would you like those troubles in your car?

Lesson Objectives

At the end of studying this lesson, you are expected to:

a. explain several quotations related to the concept of proper preventive maintenance;

b. suggest ways on how to prevent vehicle trouble;

c. write an essay about the importance of proper preventive maintenance; and

d. create your own preventive maintenance checklist.

Introduction

People always say that prevention is better than cure, so as in our vehicles, preventing is better than repairing. It will help you to avoid some vehicular troubles and if such happen/s you also have to be knowledgeable about the proper procedure to undertake. This lesson discusses preventive maintenance, its meaning and procedures as well as its importance. 

Preventive maintenance (PM) is consists of scheduled servicing, inspections, and vehicle repairs to prevent potential problems and maximize vehicle availability. It is used in fleet management to proactively avoid or reduce vehicle breakdowns and is based on time, mileage, engine hours, or gallons of fuel used.

Preventative Maintenance also refers to the care and servicing by personnel for the purpose of maintaining equipment, and facilities in satisfactory operating conditions by performing systematic inspections, leading to detection, and correction of incipient failures either before they occur or before they develop into major defects. Maintenance includes tests, measurements, adjustments, and parts replacement, performed specifically to prevent faults from occurring.

The primary goal of maintenance is to avoid or mitigate the consequences of a failure of equipment. This may be by preventing the failure before it actually occurs, which Planned Maintenance and Condition Based Maintenance help to achieve. It is designed to preserve and restore equipment reliability by replacing worn components before they actually fail.

Preventive maintenance activities include partial or complete overhauls at specified periods, oil changes, lubrication and so on. In addition, workers can record equipment deterioration so they know to replace or repair worn parts before they cause a system failure. The ideal preventive maintenance program would prevent all equipment failure before it occurs.

We All Need Preventive Maintenance

Preventive maintenance is used in many ways, on our bodies (proper health care), our mouths (proper dental care), equipment, buildings, machinery which includes our vehicles. In health care, regular check-ups, vaccines, and different testing procedures are considered preventive maintenance. At the dentist regular x-rays, inspections, teeth cleanings & polishing, and sealants are considered preventive maintenance. On the outside of your home or building, cleaning siding, concrete, gutters, roof and keeping it sealed and painted is considered preventive maintenance. The list of examples can go on and on.

Proper Preventive Maintenance For Vehicles

In vehicles, the fluids are designed to protect the systems that they run within. One of the main maintenance items on your vehicle is to keep those fluids clean, full, uncontaminated and at the proper protection level. Preventive maintenance is having your vehicle inspected regularly, having the fluids changed regularly before they get dirty, and changing them due to age and mileage. Preventive maintenance would be repairing the cause of any fluids seeping before they are leaking and causing a low-level issue. Preventive maintenance would be checking the fluids regularly for contamination that would prevent them from properly lubricating, cooling, and conditioning the system in the vehicle that it is designed to protect.

There are other systems within our vehicles that need preventive maintenance:

• Tires: Rotated regularly and tire pressure checked and kept filled at spec.
• Wheel Alignment: Checking at least yearly for proper wheel alignment and performed if needed.
•  Spark Plug & Wires Replacement: Following manufacturer specification for replacement of these items.
•  PCV Valve, Fuel, Air, and Cabin Air Filter: Have them inspected and replaced at least once a year.
• Throttle Body & Fuel Injectors: Have them inspected and cleaned at least every 2 years. 
• Belts, Hoses, Idler Pulleys and Tensioners: Regularly inspected and replaced as they start to deteriorate or every 60,000 miles (timing belts should be replaced as recommended by manufacturer by age or mileage whichever comes first.)
• Brakes & Clutches: Regularly inspect for leaks, operation and friction material and drum, and rotor trueness and thickness. 
• Suspension: Regularly inspect for looseness or leaks and lube all points available.

Preventive maintenance is the best way to start. The best way to keep the car is to follow your owner's manual regularly scheduled maintenance.

1. Check the Air Filter

Many car problems are due to clogged air filters or loose fittings. The air filter prevents dirt and particles from entering the engine. During combustion your engine needs air, and a clogged filter may impact performance.

The filters changed every 12 months or after 12000 miles, whichever comes fast. Don't ignore this maintenance as it could lead to problems of car engine or car cabin as also the breathe air that is filtered by the internal cabin air filter.

The filter replaced at your mechanic or in the comfort of your garage in just 10 minutes can save the trip to the mechanic and some money.

• First, locate the filter which is situated in the hood of the car. It is in a black rectangular box, which might have metal clips used to keep it closed. If it cannot see on the top, check the owner's manual for assistance.
• After locating it, remove the casing and observe how the air filter fits inside. It is important to note the direction of the filter. Make a note of the directions of the filter and remove it.
• Clean the filter by using compressed air. This can improve the life of the filter and help the engine run efficiently. Then place back in same way. If the filter is dirty, removing it and insert the new filter the same way the old one fit and in the same direction.
• Close the air filter casing after you are done. Make sure it fits correctly, just like the filter.

2. Inspect Fluids and Tire Pressure Regularly

Tire pressure is something, which you shouldn't ignore or delay. Tires are one of the most important components of your car for safety, efficiency, and comfort. Getting in the habit checking the tires regularly will help you save time and money.

Tire pressure, wheel balance, and regular tire rotation will help to have a comfortable and safe drive. Tires will last quite a bit longer and it can easily add air and check the pressure.

Along with the tires, also important the checking car fluids. Just open the hood when the engine cooled down and remove the oil dipstick. Clean it thoroughly and put it back again. Now pull it out you will notice the oil is up to a certain level. Check that it is at the correct level. Also check the oil color and replace the oil at regular maintenance periods.

While doing this also check the power steering fluid level, the hoses, and belts for any signs of wear. After warming up your car check the transmission fluid level too. Conduct an inspection of the tires and fluids regularly for the best performance of the car.

3. Check The Battery

To avoid any battery trouble, always check car battery. First check the cables and their connection to the terminals. Check for leakage or any mineral build up around the cables and terminals. Clean the terminal with a battery cleaning brush if needed and always apply dielectric grease to help them stay corrosion free.

Using a multimeter with the engine off, check if the battery is charged fully (about 12.4 to 12.7 volts). When the car start-up it should be around 13.7 to 14.7 volts.

If the battery is low, it might be the alternator. To check this start the engine and turn on your lights. If the lights are dim or brighten as the engine is revved, then the alternator probably is the issue.

4. Change Spark Plugs (Gasoline Engine)

If the car is not performing as well as it usually does, check the spark plugs and spark plug wires if it is old. If the findings is in bad condition, replace them for better performance. Spark plugs usually last for 30,000+ miles; see the owner's manual for more information.

5. Get Your Tires Rotated and Balanced

This is the easiest trick in the book to prevent wearing of tires and make them last longer, and the trick is to get it rotated about every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. All tires do not wear at the same amount. So by rotating the front and rear tires, balance the wear and make them more long wearing.

Ensure that the tires of the car are also aligned. Non-aligned tires can cause problems with steering. It may even make lose control of the car and cause an accident.

6. Clean your Windshields and Replace the Wipers

A dirty windshield can prove to be a lot of hassle when it cannot clearly. If they are not cleaned regularly they can cause visual impairments and can result in accidents at times.

It is very important for the driver to have a clear view of the road for safe driving. The dirt and particle can accumulate and scratch the windshield when use the wipers.

If the rainy season is approaching, check the wipers and get them replaced if needed. Using damaged wipers can cause scratches on the glass and obstruct your view, which might lead the need to replace the entire windshield.

7. Inspect and Replace Serpentine Belts

Thoroughly inspect your serpentine belts and check for wear. If these belts fail, they can cause damage to the engine parts, making a small priced item that needs to be replaced turn into a huge bill.

Get regular maintenance, car dealer service center should let you know when it's time to replace the belt. It is recommended to get it checked every 60,000 miles but should look at the owner's manual to get the best information for your car. Replacing a belt is usually easy with a few tools.

8. Ensure the Working of the Cooling System 

The hoses, which carry the engine coolant, can get damaged from high-pressure, heat, or from being old. Often if this happens a leak will occur. In addition, the heater hoses face the same problem as they carry hot coolant to the car heater core under the dash board. When getting your car serviced or to an oil changing shop, they'll usually check the hose.

To check, look for the white/clear coolant reservoir and see if it is at the correct level. If not you may have a leak, so check for residue that is similar to the color of the coolant. It should be around where the hoses and connections are made or under them. Any cracks in hoses mean you need to replace that hose. Any loose hose clamps should be tightened or replaced if damaged.

The best way for efficient cooling is for the engine to have enough coolant. Get hoses checked regularly will prevent leaks that can cause the engine to overheat and creating major problems. So inspecting hoses once in a while is a great idea. And replacing them if needed is relatively cheap.

9. Check your Brakes

There was a movie where someone can't stop their car because their brake lines were cut. In real life we won't have this scene play out, but is we ignore brake problems we can find getting into an accident.

If the brakes fail to work properly, it can be caused by some of the following: the rotors, the brake pads, the brake fluid, and the brake pedal. The most common reason would be the brake pads or a leak in the brake fluid.

It's a good idea to check the breaks to notice any issues out of the ordinary.

Checking the Brake Fluid

• But there is a very easy way to check your brake fluid; check the level and color of the fluid in the reservoir.
•  If the color is dark then it's time to change it.
•  If the fluid is low, fill to the proper line; and if the tank is empty you probably have a leak that needs to be fixed and then it need to bleed the brake lines and replace the fluid.

Checking the Brake Pads

•  The easiest way to check the brake pads is to take it to a service center.
•  As in drive, listen for a screeching sound. Most brakes have a warning indicator and they make a noise when they are low as you press on the brake pedal.
•  Unsure or worried, it's best to get it checked. The safety and others on the road is worth the time and effort.

10. Keep it Covered

This may seem like a very easy tip, but it has a major impact on maintaining your car. Keeping your car out of the reach of the sunlight, trees, and birds can help your paint and interior remain in good condition. Harmful radiation, weather, and nature can take its toll on your vehicle.

Washing the car regularly and using protectant on plastic and rubber parts is important but this will only do so much. To keep the car looking it best for year to come a car cover is a good investment. If have a garage or carport cover this can help as well. So cover your car when not in use and try to keep it in your garage whenever it can.

11. Drive Better

The way in drive reflects the condition of the car. If the driver hard in car (fast take off, quick braking, sharp quick turns, riding over bumps at high speeds, hard shifting, etc.), then the car will wear faster and damage can occur. By driving smartly and safely, not only ensure less wear and tear on the car but also can save the fuel costs.

So one way to get started today is take a look at your acceleration and braking habits. If having a habit of taking off quickly and applying brakes suddenly, then remind the driver that each smooth transition saves money on gas.

Driving below the speed limit and avoid sudden stops will help to stay safer, save money, and help the car last longer.

12. Exterior Engine Cleaning

We have learned the importance of maintaining the engine internally; it is as important to do it for the exterior too. Some minor debris in the wrong place can do a lot of damage if not cleaned. For example, when checking your brake fluid and some grease falls into the brake fluid. Damage to the brake system can occur. 

There are special engine cleaners available on the market designed specifically for exterior engine cleaning. While cleaning the engine isn't necessary, it can be helpful for: discovering leaks, protecting rubber and plastic hoses, making sure electrical connections are not interrupted, seeing labels clearly, for pride of ownership.

13. Carry the Automotive Tools at all Times

A good tip to maintain the car on the go is to carry some basic tools, so the driver ready be ready to face different problems and have tools to work with. Delaying fixing a leak for example, can potentially cause damage to engine or other car systems. Either you will need to call for a tow truck or use of the tools to work on the problem. Driving might not be an option.

Tools that might be helpful are: thick gloves, heat resistant waterproof silicone tape, electrical tape, wire cutters, screw drivers (Phillips head, and flat head), tongue and grove pliers, a flashlight, and a knife. A tool kit might come in handy.

14. Protect the Headlights

Keep an eye on the headlights it is consider as best friends while driving at night. It can be an extremely dangerous and risky idea if driving without the headlights on at night. Replace or repair them before driving at night. It can save the life and prevent accidents.

Tip: Keep track of turning off the lights at night. Sometimes I have forgotten to turn of the dome light in my truck and have drained my battery quite a bit. It is especially draining if forget the lights or parking lights.

15. Protect the Interior of the Car

Many people spend a lot of time in their cars and it can be like a second home. No wonder a car interior can get messy so easily. But that also means it may start to become uncomfortable to drive in. 

Having a clean and nice looking car will feel more comfortable. It will feel better and have pride of ownership. Cleaning doesn't have to be a chore either. For many, it's about keeping up a schedule of doing a little at a time.

The best way to maintain the interior is to do a quick cleaning of any trash each time exit the car and then schedule in a date and time to vacuum and doing other cleaning needed. Keeping all the necessary gear in one place will help expedite in cleaning and make thing easier.

Activity 2

Write an essay about the importance of proper preventive maintenance. Post it in our Facebook page and share the link of your post in my Gmail account (remogerald126@gmai.com)  

Activity 3 

Create your own preventive maintenance checklist. Make your checklist creative using Canva. Submit the link of your work in my Gmail account. (remogerald126@gmai.com)  

As vehicle owners it is important to condition your vehicle to prevent certain troubles. You could be a future vehicle owner or an owner already or a future vehicle technician. It is best for you to learn the proper preventive maintenance of vehicle

References:

Johnston, K. (n.d). Preventive maintenance. Retrieved from https://allaboutautomotive.com/blog/true-definition-preventative-mainte… Morton, C. (2013). Preventive maintenance. Retrieved from https://www.governmentfleet.com/145442/how-to-implement-a-fleet-prevent…

This WebQuest was created by Gerald R. Remo BTVTED Student in College of Sciences Technology and Communication, Sariaya, Quezon.