CAR MAINTENANCE TIPS

For proper vehicle maintenance, make sure you are always aware of any problems or changes in your vehicle’s appearance and performance. 

The faster you get the engine up to its proper operating temperature, the better.

The presence of abrasives could weaken the clearcoat and dull the finish. Dishwashing detergent can also be hazardous to your vehicle’s finish. Choose a car soap that is made for today’s clearcoat finishes. 

Always come to a complete stop before shifting from Drive into Reverse, or vice versa. 

If your vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission, improperly releasing the clutch pedal, pushing it too far or not far enough, or riding it at the point of engagement can damage parts. Strive for smooth, seamless shifting.

Allowing your fuel tank to run dry or be consistently low can lead to problems. Fuel pumped from a relatively dry tank may carry oxygen, moisture and deposits into the fuel line, and this could damage the fuel filter or fuel pump. It’s best to fill your tank any time it’s less than one-third full.

Mixing additives into oil, transmission fluid or gasoline may upset the chemical balances that already exist in these fluids. Stay away from additional additives unless recommended by your service consultant.

Make sure to use your parking brake when parked on hills. But to prevent any damage to your brake system, make sure the parking brake is fully released and the warning light is off before driving.

It’s best to change your oil, filters and spark plugs, and to conduct other vehicle maintenance as outlined in your vehicle Owner’s Manual.

• Cold weather reduces tire pressure, so check tire pressure often. See your vehicle Owner’s Manual for directions and details.
  
• In extremely cold temperatures, you may have to change the grade of your engine oil. Check your vehicle Owner’s Manual for the viscosity grade recommended for your vehicle’s engine.
  
• Check your wiper blades. Cold temperatures can make blades brittle, and ice on the windshield can cause nicks in the blades, decreasing performance.

Even in climates that don’t see subfreezing temperatures or regular snow, the change of season is a great time to have your ACDelco Professional Service Center technician inspect or check the following areas:

Very cold weather reduces the cranking capability of batteries, and a marginal one that worked in the summer may not start your car when the temperature drops. Have the battery inspected and replace it if the cold-cranking amps aren’t sufficient – it’ll be easier in the long run than a couple of jump-starts on a cold morning. So, if you are in need of a new battery or just want to have yours checked, visit a dealership or reputable ACDelco Service Centre that offers ACDelco batteries or visit our Batteries page.

Extremely cold temperatures can increase the chance of failure for worn or cracked belts. Use the change of season to have them inspected and replaced as necessary.

Cold temperatures can reduce the air pressure in tires, so making sure the tires are properly inflated can enhance fuel economy and prolong the life of the tires. Also, be sure to have the tread wear inspected.

Colder weather brings precipitation, be it rain, snow, sleet or all of the above. Have your car’s wipers inspected for normal operation and have the wiper blades replaced if they smear, streak or “chatter.” You’ll also want a full reservoir of washer fluid for the colder weather. 

• In extreme summer temperatures, you may have to change the grade of your engine oil. Check your vehicle Owner’s Manual for the viscosity grade recommended for your vehicle’s engine.
  
• Check the coolant recovery reservoir under the hood when the engine is cold. Add the coolant recommended in your Owner’s Manual, if required.
  
• Check tire tread depth for excessive and uneven wear.
  
• Caught in a traffic jam? Leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle ahead of you, so the radiator can do its job.

• After a winter of coughing and sneezing, combined with allergens, bacteria, mold and other microscopic interlopers, you might need to replace your cabin air filter and thoroughly clean or vacuum interior surfaces.
  
• Winter can take a bigger toll on your vehicle than you think. See your dealer or ACDelco Service Centre that installs quality ACDelco parts for a pre-summer checkup.
  

Tire wear depends on several factors, including your driving style and tire maintenance habits. But one sure way to know when to replace your tires is when treadwear indicators (if built-in) appear. A tire’s built-in treadwear indicators are “wear bars” that look like narrow strips of smooth rubber across the tread and appear when it’s time to replace the tire.

• You can see three or more treadwear indicators around the tire.
• Cord or fabric is showing through the rubber.
• The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep enough to show cord or fabric.
• The tire has a bulge or split.
• The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that can’t be repaired correctly.

• Premature or irregular wear.
• Poor handling.
• Reduced fuel economy.

• Unusual wear.
• Poor handling.
• Reduced fuel economy.

Scheduled wheel alignment and balancing are not needed, since your vehicle’s wheels were aligned and balanced at the factory. But if you notice unusual tire wear or that your vehicle “pulls” one way or the other, the wheel alignment may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle vibrating on a smooth road, your wheels may be out of balance. A tire that is out of balance often affects ride quality and can shorten the life of tires, bearings, shocks and other suspension components. A speed-dependent vibration—becoming noticeable around 70km/h and increasing as speed increases—is probably balance-related. 

This message will display on your instrument panel when your engine needs an oil change. This message may be displayed if the Oil Life Monitoring System in your vehicle (if equipped) was not reset during your last oil change.

Heavy smoke from your tailpipe is a strong indicator that oil is being burned within the engine. This can be caused by a number of factors, including bad seals and worn piston rings. 

One of the most immediate signs of an issue with your oil is a noticeable leak. If you detect a leak, address it as soon as possible. Catching a problem before it worsens can save you time and money.

One of the most recognizable and dangerous oil warning signs is smoke coming from your engine. Oil leaking within the engine compartment burns when it drips onto hot engine parts. Leaks of this type should be addressed immediately.

Low engine oil pressure can cause extreme and costly damage to your engine. If this message displays, safely bring your vehicle to a stop and do not restart your engine until the proper engine oil pressure is restored and the cause of the drop is corrected. You should check the oil level immediately. Do not operate the engine with the oil pressure warning light on or an ‘Engine Oil Low: Add Oil’ message is displayed.

Our products come with a 12-month or one-year warranty, whichever comes first. For more information, including how to file a claim, please visit your nearest ACDelco parts store or ACDelco Service Center.