Module 8 Topic 3

With proper maintenance, vehicles today should operate over ________________ miles?

300,000 miles

Vehicle emergency supply kits should include:

A properly inflated spare tire; Wheel wrench and tripod jack; Jumper cables; Tool kit and/or a multipurpose utility tool; Flashlight and extra batteries; Reflective triangles and brightly colored cloth to make your vehicle more visible; Compass; Medical First Aid Kit with gauze, tape, bandages, antibiotic ointment, aspirin, a blanket, non-latex gloves, scissors, hydrocortisone, thermometer, tweezers and instant cold compress; Nonperishable, high-energy foods, such as unsalted nuts, dried fruits and hard candy; Drinking water; Reflective vest in case you need to walk to get help; Car charger for your cell phone; Fire extinguisher; Duct tape; and Rain poncho.

Be Responsible

Do your own inspections. Catch anything that looks out of the ordinary. Learn to check vehicle fluids. Do not be afraid of opening the hood. Look under your vehicle for leaks. When running low, add more fluid or get it changed. Most importantly, never ignore a leak. Check oil and get it changed regularly. Use the recommended schedule as a guide for oil changes but learn the difference between clean and dirty oil. Get oil changed earlier if it is dirty. Replace windshield wipers when you view streaks. Visibility is important so change wipers when needed. Get tires rotated and balanced as recommended by the owner's manual. The tires should wear evenly and allow your vehicle to drive smoothly.

Monthly Checks(Fluids, Coolant, Brake Fluid, and Engine Oil)

Every one to two months, you should check the level of the fluids underneath the hood of your vehicle. Fluid Levels Engine oil is vital to keeping your vehicle's engine running properly. You must monitor not only the level of oil, but also its cleanliness. Why should I check/change the oil in my vehicle? Having enough clean oil keeps the internal parts of the engine lubricated, clean, and cool, preventing the moving parts from grinding against each other causing wear and damage, inhibiting corrosion, and keeping the engine from overheating. If you do not periodically change your oil, dirt and sludge can build up resulting in engine failure. Depending on the type of vehicle, the oil should usually be changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. There are different types of motor oil and different categories based on quality as ranked by the American Petroleum Institute (API). The type and category of oil you should use depends on whether the engine uses gasoline or diesel, the year of the engine's manufacture, the mileage of the vehicle, and the amount of horsepower you need. Different cars require different types and quality categories of motor oil, and it is best to consult the vehicle owner's manual.

Emergency Preparedness

Every vehicle should have an emergency supply kit located in the trunk. Kits should be checked every six months, and expired items should be replaced to keep it up to date.

If an engine overheats, open the radiator cap to cool down the vehicle?

False

If a __________ tire blows out, the vehicle will pull sharply in the direction of the blowout?

Front

Introduction

In topic three, you will learn about vehicle malfunctions.

Follow the vehicle owner's manual recommended maintenance schedule:

Inspect and get the timing belts and serpentine belts replaced when necessary. Follow the instruction in the owner's manual, ask a mechanic to inspect the belts, avoid a belt failure and breakdown. Check the battery and keep the contacts clean. Most modern batteries do not require much maintenance. But you should know how to check to make sure is it not leaking and there is no mineral or other buildup on the contacts. Replace cabin air filter often to keep your car comfortable and the ride more pleasant. Replace engine air filter. Use the recommended schedule in the owner's manual but, inspect it for a need to change earlier. Change your spark plugs. If your spark plugs are worn out or covered in buildup, your engine isn't working efficiently. That can cost you money in fuel and can also lead to a breakdown.

Additional items for cold weather include:

Snow brush; Shovel; Windshield washer fluid; Warm clothing; Cat litter for traction; and Blankets. It is also a good idea to keep family and emergency phone numbers, including your auto insurance provider and a towing company, in your phone. Emergencies and disasters can strike anyone, anytime and anywhere, not just in a vehicle. Every family should plan for emergencies. Making and placing an emergency kit in each vehicle is just part of a good family plan.

Standards of learning:

The student will analyze how regular preventive maintenance reduces the possibility of vehicle failures and recognize the warning signs that indicate the need for maintenance, repair, or replacement. Key concepts/skills include vehicle warning devices; lights and signals; steering and suspension systems; tires and braking systems; cooling system and belts; and

Bi-Annual Checks

There are other self-checks that you can perform less frequently, but they are still very important. Spare tires are stored in different places depending on the vehicle: consult your vehicle owner's manual to determine where you spare tire is and how to access it. Even a well-sealed tire may slowly deflate over a long period of time leaving it flat. If your spare tire is flat, it will be of little or no use to you when one of your four regular tires blows out. Just as hydraulic brake systems use fluid, so does power steering fluid. If there isn't enough fluid, steering becomes more difficult and the moving parts could be damaged without fluid to help them move smoothly. On some vehicles, the power steering fluid level can only be checked accurately after the engine has run for a brief period, or after you've turned the steering wheel in either direction several times while the car is idling. Other cars have gradations on the dipstick or reservoir cylinder for both a "hot" level for when the engine has been running, and a "cold" level for when the engine has been off. Good power steering fluid should be clear, or leave an amber or pinkish stain when the dipstick is wiped with a rag. If the fluid is brown or black, it has been contaminated with bits of rubber from connecting hoses, seals or o-rings, and you should consult a mechanic about changing the fluid. Check your parking brake to make sure it engages and releases fully. Parking brake problems occur more frequently in automatic transmission vehicles because they are prone to deterioration from disuse: cables are more likely to fray or corrode. Check for rust or obstructions the hinges on which the doors and trunk swing to ensure they open smoothly. Check the latch to make sure it engages completely and holds the door shut and check to make sure it releases fully. It's important for all of your doors to open properly, in case of an emergency need to evacuate the vehicle. Door locks are not "deadbolt" locks and are not intended to prevent doors from opening during a crash, but a securely engaged door latch. Over time, coolant may evaporate or leak from the cooling system. If you choose to "top off" your coolant rather than flush and replace it, do not just add water: this will lower the ratio of water to antifreeze, which lowers the temperature at which it will start to boil, and raise the temperature at which it can freeze. Check your vehicle owner's manual for the right proportions. Check the vehicle's battery for leaks and check the terminals on your battery for corrosion. Rust or corrosive build-up on the terminals can usually be cleaned off with a mixture of baking soda and water. The procedure for checking transmission fluid level varies from vehicle to vehicle, so you should consult your vehicle owner's manual for the proper method. In general, the vehicle must be level, and for many vehicles you can only get an accurate transmission fluid level reading when the engine is "at normal operating temperature," (usually after the vehicle has been driven for at least ten minutes), and still running. To evenly distribute the fluid, shift through all of the positions including the lower gears, put the vehicle in "park," and fully engage the parking brake. If you use a dipstick, you should check the readings at least twice, and note the lowest level reading as the "correct" reading. Low transmission fluid levels can indicate a leak in the automatic transmission; some transmissions only leak while they are being driven, so you cannot rely on your regular checks under the vehicle for leaking fluids. It is also important to check the color of the transmission fluid: Dark or burned automatic transmission fluid is indicative of serious issues; Milky colored automatic transmission fluid can be caused by driving through high water, which may then enter the transmission through the vent system, or it can be caused by radiator failure which allows engine coolant to enter the transmission, and water will dissolve the adhesive on clutch facings, causing rusting.

If a car catches fire, use an A-B-C type fire extinguisher to put it out.

True

Preventive maintenance includes vehicle self checks. Checking the vehicle emergency kit should be done __________?

Weekly

Weekly Checks(Tire Pressure, windshield wiper blades, Tire tread, windshield wiper fluid, Outside Lights, and Emergency kit)

You should perform Weekly Self-Checks: Outside lights Check to ensure that your headlights, tail lights, brake lights, left/right turn signals and hazard lights have working light bulbs, do not have cracked glass, are not obscured by mud, and are functioning properly. Emergency Kit Bottles of water and non-perishable food: Confirm that your water has not evaporated or leaked and that your food has not passed its expiration date or been contaminated by insects/rodents. If water has leaked, examine the other items in your kit for mildew, saturation, rust, short circuiting or disintegration. List of emergency contacts and phone numbers: Check your emergency contact list to reflect the most up-to-date information. Flashlight and batteries: Make sure your flashlight batteries are the correct size and still good: you can determine whether or not a AAA or AA battery still has a charge by dropping the battery from about six inches above concrete, tile, or another hard surface: if the battery hits the surface and falls over, it is still holding a charge and is usable; if the battery bounces, it has been drained and is no good. Whistle: This is a small, easy to lose item, so check to make sure it has not been misplaced. Rain poncho and umbrella. Pair of gloves, socks and a hat. Blanket Bag of sand or clay kitty litter: Look for tears or strained areas in the packaging that might precede a tear. Sand/litter is difficult to clean up and of little use to create traction if it is all over the trunk of your car. Snow/ice scraper and a small shovel: Other items that are likely to be used in non-emergencies, so look to ensure you have them. Jumper cables: Scan for damage such as frays in the wiring and rust. Brightly colored cloth Road Flares: Check for damage. Toilet paper and sanitizing wipes: Make sure your toilet paper is dry and your sanitizing wipes are moist. Why is checking your emergency equipment important? As the name indicates, in the event of an emergency such as a traffic jam, a winter storm, a car wreck, or a break down, these supplies may increase comfort of the driver and passengers, decrease the need for outside assistance, reduce the chances of injury. Windshield wiper blades and washer fluid Inspect your windshield wiper blades to make sure they don't have any nicks or breaks, that they are free of materials such as leaves and pine needles, and do not have any advertisements stuck underneath them. Check to ensure that you have washer fluid.Why is checking your windshield wiper blades and washer fluid important? The driver's ability to clearly see out of the front windshield is absolutely vital, and any obstruction of that view is highly dangerous. Keeping your windshield clean is important: dirty windshields may produce a glare that impairs your ability to see.