1. This schedule of preventive maintenance tips is based on an average car driven 12,000 miles a year. You may need check-ups or replacements¹ at somewhat different intervals², depending on your driving habits and what kind of car you drive; read what your owner's manual recommends.

2. Use these tips to set up a yearly maintenance chart. Keep it in your glove compartment³ or tack⁴ it to the wall of your garage.

3. COOLANT LEVETL: In newer cars look at the level markings on the overflow⁵ tank next to the engine. With order cars wait until the engine is cool and remove the radiator⁶ cap (wear a heavy glove for safety). Coolant level should be above the inner core. If low, add 50/50 coolant to water mix.

4. BRAKES: Are your brakes mushy? Do they sink to the floor when you hold them at a stoplight? Do they pull to one side, chirp⁷, or groan⁸? If so, have them checked immediately.

5. LOOK FOR LEAKS: check the garage floor in the morning. The only moisture visible should be condensation⁹ from the air conditioner in the summer. Have other leaks repaired. There are about 11 fluids that could leak from your car. Monthly:

6. TIRES: Measure air pressure with an accurate gauge¹⁰ (don't forget the spare). Look at tread, too. A tread depth of less than 1/16 inch is unsafe.

7. BATTERY: A low charge reading on a "maintenance-free" battery can indicate water loss. With other batteries, look into all six caps and add distilled¹¹ water to within 1/4 inch of top. Are battery connections corroding¹²? Disconnect clamp. Clean posts and clamp with wire brush. Batteries contain acids and explosive gases, so wear goggles¹³ and don't smoke while you're working.

8. CHIPPED PAINT: Remove chips and rust¹⁴ before you touch up with paint. Nicks and scratches spread, eating up body (trade-in value, too).

9. TRANSMISSION FLUID: With car on level ground, start the engine and check the dipstick. Be careful not to overfill; excess fluid causes poor shifting. Fluid should be reddish. If it's brown have it and filter replaced and transmission checked.

Every three months: 10. MUFFLER: With the car cold, grasp the tailpipe and move it from side to side. Hear any rattles¹⁵? Check for loose connections, rusted¹⁶ clamps. If you hear rumbling¹⁷ while driving, open the windows and have the muffler checked immediately. A cracked muffler can leak dangerous carbon monoxide into the car.

11. HOSES: Check radiator, cooling, heating and vacuum hoses for cracks and bulges¹⁸. Squeeze them to make sure they're still pliable¹⁹, not brittle²⁰. Replace rusted clamps, too.

12. DRIVE BELTS: Replace any nicked, cut or oil-soaked belts. Check belt's tension, too. With your thumb, press down on belt. If it bends more than 3/4 inch tighten²¹ it. Loose belts affect the water pump, alternator, power steering²², and air conditioner.

Every six months: 13. OIL CHANGE: Don't ask your motor oil to do more than it should. Old oil takes the life out of your car faster than almost anything else. Use your owner's manual to determine the time for an oil change and grade of oil to be used. If you do it yourself, it should take only about half an hour.

14. CAR BODY: Protect your car's finish with a good waxing. Wash the underbody of the car to remove winter road salts, prevent rusting²³. 15. WHEEL ALIGNMENT²⁴: Drive your car across an empty, flat parking lot with hands off wheel. Does it drift left or right? Low tire pressure could be the cause; check pressure first. If the problem persists, wheels may be out of alignment. Have them balanced by a professional. Ignoring the problem will cause uneven²⁵ wear and ruin your tires.

16. ROTATE TIRES: Another way to promote even tire wear is to rotate tires. Check the tire manufacturer's recommendations - different tires have different rotation²⁶ patterns.

17. WIPERS: Are the rubber edges of the wiper blades still sharp enough to remove water and snow in even strokes? If not, they may have been weakened by road grease and wear. Replace them if necessary.

Every year: 18. TUNE-UP: While many people can handle parts of the tune-up, such as changing air and fuel filters and spark plugs, other operations require a trained mechanic. He should perform a total diagnostic check of your car's engine, change the spark plugs (if you don't), inspect the distributor, replace the points and condenser²⁷ on cars with non-electronic ignitions, and adjust engine timing²⁸. He should also check ignition wires and connections, adjust idle speed and replace PCV valve. Attention to these service functions will improve engine performance and fuel economy.

19. Once a year, also have brakes and steering fully²⁹ checked, wheel bearings repacked, moving chassis³⁰ parts lubed, and anti-freeze replaced - a function you can do.

20. Using this system, you'll find routine check-ups become automatic. And it all pays off in better protection of your car investment - and safer driving for you and your family.

1．本预防性维修保养措施一览表是以年均行车12000英里为基础的，您 可以根据您的驾驶习惯以及车型，定期检修或更换零部件。请阅读用户手册 中操作建议。

2．按照本一览表去建立一张一年内车辆保养图表，将其置于您的汽车仪 表板上的小匣内或钉于车库墙上。

每周保养 3．冷却液位：如果是新车，只需查看发动机旁溢流箱上液位标志。如果 是旧车等发动机冷却后，取下散热器盖(为安全起见，带上一双厚手套)。冷 却液位应位于内心水准之上。如果低于此标准，应该加上冷却液，与水按50／50 掺合一起的调和液。

4．刹车：刹车是否失灵?当见到车尾停车灯亮时刹车，能否刹住?刹车 是否偏位?有无吱吱或咯吱响声?如有，立即检修。

5．查找有无泄漏：早上出车时应查看车库地面。夏天唯一能看见的水分 应是空调器的冷凝液。如果有其他泄漏均应修理。车内约有11处可能漏液。

每月保养 6．轮胎：用精确的气压表测量气压(别忘了测量备用胎)。同时查看轮胎花纹。如胎纹厚度低于1／16英寸则不安全。

7．电瓶：如有一个“非维修期”电瓶上电荷读数偏低则表明缺水。和其 它电瓶一起，打开所有6个瓶盖，将蒸馏水加到离瓶顶端不到1／4英寸处。电 瓶连线是否腐蚀?卸掉夹子。用钢丝刷清刷接线柱和夹子。电瓶内有酸液和 爆炸气体，维修时要带上护目镜，不准吸烟。

8．落漆：上漆前应除净漆屑和铁锈。裂痕与刮伤易延伸，侵蚀车身(也 影响汽车折价)。

9．变速箱油：将车停于平地，启动发动机，查看量油尺。注意油液不宜 加得太满，太满会影响变速调档。油液应是浅红色，如呈棕色，应更换油液 和过滤器，检查变速箱。

季度保养 10．消音器：冷车时，握住排气管，左右摇动查听有无任何咯吱响声。检查连接处有无松动，夹子是否生锈。行车时听到隆隆响声，应立即打开车窗 检查消声器。消声器如有裂缝，危险的一氧化碳会逸入车内。

11．软管：检查散热器、冷却、供热和真空等软管有无裂缝和膨胀处。用 手挤压一下，以确认软管仍柔韧而不脆裂。夹子如生锈也应更换。

12．传动带：传动带如有裂缝、伤口或油浸应更换。还应检查皮带是否张紧。用大拇指下压皮带，如其弯曲度超过3／4英寸，则应绷紧。皮带过松会影 响水泵、交流发电机、动力转向以及空调等工作。

半年保养 13．更换机油：机油不应超期使用，陈旧机油几乎比别的任何东西都会过 速缩短车的寿命。按照汽车使用手册确定机油更换时间及所用机油的标号。 如自行处理，仅需半小时。

14．车身：上好蜡保护车的漆面。冲洗车身下部，清除附在车上的冬天路上撒的盐类，防止生锈。

15．车轮校准：双手不握方向盘，驱车穿过一片空旷平展的停车场，查看车偏往左方还是偏往右方。偏向可能是轮胎内压的原因，应先查胎压。如果 是气压的问题，则车轮需要校正，偏正需请专业人员平衡，忽略此事会造成 轮胎磨损不均，损坏车胎。

16．轮换车胎：轮换车胎是增强轮胎均匀磨损的又一办法。查询轮胎生产厂家说明介绍，不同类型的轮胎有不同的轮换方式。

17．刮水器：刮水器的橡皮叶片还是否锐利，每次动作是否均匀刮掉雨雪?如果不是，可能是因路上油脂和磨损而减弱。必要时应更换。

年度保养 18．调整：尽管许多人能够从事部件调整工作，如更换空气滤清器、燃油 滤清器和火花塞。但其它工作则需要经过培训的机修工来完成。他应对汽车 发动机进行全面诊断性检查，更换火花塞(如果您自己没换)。检查配电盘， 用非电子点火器更换车上的插座与电容器。调整发动机定时。还应检查点火连线及其接头，调整空载速度，更换压力调节阀。注意上述维修工作将提高 发动机性能并节省燃料。

19．每年一次彻底检查刹车和方向盘，拆修车轮轴承，给活动底盘部件上油，更换防冻液(此项工作自己可以做)。

20．使用本保养体系，您将发现定期检修会变成一种自觉行动。所有这一切都将保护您在车上的投资，并使您和您家人行车更加安全。