Wheels, Glen. I've always had an obsession with them. Because I live in a rainforest I need a set of real strong and sturdy treads. I have toyed with the idea of buying a four-wheel drive, but somehow I haven't been able to sell Anna, my VW Beetle.
When the weather is good I take her out for a drive. Bubbles insists on sitting on top of the car. But I'm paranoid about scratch marks. So despite his loud complaints he is allowed to sit only on my shoulder.
Over the years cars lose some of their shine. Keeping them clean and using the right car shampoo and wax is something I would strongly advise.
A lot of car owners drive from point A to B and don't bother to educate themselves on how it really works. It's like a marriage - you can't have a healthy relationship if you don't learn to understand your wife. Ditto for the car. Learn how it works, how the engine functions, how long a battery lasts, how to change your car oil and your hot wheels will roll much better.
Anna still looks young and gorgeous despite Bubble's jealous attempts to put a scratch or two. Here's how I make sure she remains shiny and new and drives like a dream…
WEB RESOURCES:
A light coloured car retains its shine longer than a darker one and Anna is a pleasant yellow. Find out more about polishing, painting and waxing.
Engine oil. That's what keeps the engine and tranmission (check the section on 'Tips on Cars') of your car smooth. I keep a check on the oil levels myself.
To avoid problems with coolant, I check the level of engine coolant at least once a month.
The battery is important - look after it properly. I found these tips on how to get the most out of car batteries, Anna never needs prompting on cold mornings.
Spark plugs ignite a mixture of compressed air and petrol in the engine cylinder. This web site informed me that the average life of a spark plug is 15,000 kms. I have another 10,000 to go.
I nearly damaged Anna once because her brakes failed. Now I test them before I go on a long drive. On those steep inclines, you never know…
One question I get frequently is: "What do I use to clean my wheels?" and I used to wonder myself, before I found a few answers.
Don't know why you're steering hard in one direction and the car is going in another? It's a
steering and suspension problem. If you detect it, fix it immediately.
Then there's other things like air and fuel filters, seat covers, interiors, air conditioners (Anna complains a lot since I've refused to install an AC). I especially like visiting automotive forums and and auto communities online. I even found someone who owns a really old Beetle.
I've picked up lots of general maintenance and practical tips, from a couple of sites - About's Auto Care and Car Care.
Hope this helps, Glen. Happy driving!