Automobiles-just like humans-need healthy regular sustenance to run well. If one might make some fanciful analogies to the food pyramid, there are several liquids which add up to well-rounded nourishment of a car. There is gasoline, the bread; oil, the meat and potatoes; antifreeze, the vegetables; wiper fluid, the fruits; and water (for washing), the dairy. Though perhaps not exact parallels, the metaphor still stands.
Gasoline-Though gasoline will only rise in price as it gets rarer, you should still think about your car's health. If you fill up with regular petrol, treat your car every once in a while to a higher octane-which is the gas's resistance to combustion. You should run your car frequently and use up the gas; though no one likes the idea of using more than necessary, gas has the tendency to gum up if left idle too long.
Oil-The oil should be changed every three-thousand miles, or every three-to-six months. Oil serves several key functions: lubricating parts to increase longevity, keeping oxygen from having direct contact with parts (and therefore keeping rust at bay), and keeping the engine at safe temperatures. Clean oil is vital to the health of your car, and oil changes-though frequently needed-are quick and financially painless. The average oil change takes about a half-hour and costs somewhere in the realm of $30 to $60.
Antifreeze-As we all know from sticking a water bottle in the freezer, water expands as it turns solid. Though a plastic bottles shape warps far easier than metal, winter weather still has the potential to wreak havoc on engines. Antifreeze lowers the freezing point so water will not clog, deform, or freeze together parts of an engine.
Windshield wiper fluid-Though water can be used just as easily, some wiper fluids contain antifreeze for winter driving. An alternative to this is the automatic preheating of fluid before it is sprayed onto the windshield. Durable, non-streaking wipers are an important facet to go in tandem with the fluid.
Water-It is important to wash your car every two-to-three months, especially in winter. Road salt and debris can build up and cause rust or other harm. On top of the aesthetic benefits of a clean car, tires lose traction under too much filth and important damage to a car could be hidden under a heavy layer of dirt. Automatic car washes that power-spray the tires and bottom of a car are a safe bet, though nothing beats washing a car by hand.
Though we consistently hear about weight loss and health fads for us as humans, little attention is paid to what goes into the working system of a car; remember that the automobile carries you. For its safety and yours, maintain its fluids so they can most amply serve your needs.
