In the glove compartment of your car, keep a maintenance log of all work that's done on your vehicle. In a file kept at home or in your car, keep copies of all maintenance and repair receipts, warranty information, and other related records. Each time you have work done on your car, ask when the next scheduled maintenance should be done. Mark your calendar or make a notation in your planner or PDA to remind you what needs to be done and when.

Also, try to get all of your car work done at a single location, whether at your local dealership, gas station, or mechanic. This will ensure that you don't overlap maintenance procedures or do maintenance that isn't necessary, such as replacing your car's air filter too often.

While most cars manufactured today are capable of lasting well over 100,000 miles, to keep your car operating smoothly, you'll want to have the items in the following sections checked regularly. Visiting your car's dealership for scheduled maintenance or having the oil changed every 3,000 miles, for example, will help ensure that your car is maintained properly.

Air Filtration

Automobile engines draw air from outside the vehicle to assist in the burning of fuel. About 12,000 gallons of air are needed for every gallon of gasoline used. The vehicle's air filter removes dust, dirt, and other particles from the airflow before it reaches the engine. Air filters become dirty and wear out over time, and should be replaced based on the manufacturer's recommendations or on an inspection during a service. The positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system draws gasoline fumes out of the engine crankcase and reburns them in the engine. This keeps the engine cleaner and reduces air pollution as well. These fumes pass through the PCV valve on their way to the engine intake manifold. PCV valves become restricted and sometimes clogged with dirt and should be inspected or replaced at regular intervals.

Battery

Don't let the battery stand in a discharged condition. Always keep the acid level between the lower and upper lines marked on the front side of the container. Keep battery tops clean, dry, and free of corrosive matter. Protect the battery from strong impacts or shocks. Clean battery terminals to prevent corrosion. Inspect the vent tube, ensuring that it's not bent, twisted, or clogged.

Brakes

The brakes should never be binding and the car should always be able to roll freely. If your handbreak shows a tendancy to stick and cause a drag, mention this at your next service.

Chassis Lubrication

A vehicle's suspension usually consists of numerous moving parts. Heavy grease is injected between the moving joints to prevent wear and metal-to-metal contact. Points that may need greasing include steering components and front-and-rear suspension parts.

Climate Control (Air Conditioning)

Much like your refrigerator at home, an automotive cooling system uses an evaporator, condenser, and compressor to remove heat from the air. Air from the passenger compartment is circulated past the refrigerant-filled evaporator, and then back into the passenger compartment. The refrigerant makes the hot air's moisture condense into drops of water, removing the heat from the air. Periodic service is required to keep the system running at its peak during hot periods.

Engine Lubrication (Oil)

Motor oil is the lifeblood of your car. When the vehicle is running, motor oil circulates through the engine to lubricate the moving parts and reduce friction. It also cools the engine, allowing it to operate at safe temperatures. Quality motor oils contain additives that clean internal engine parts by breaking down contaminants. When the proper viscosity is used, motor oil promotes easy starting at all temperatures. Changing the oil is the best preventive maintenance for an engine. Clean motor oil will prolong the engine life and increase fuel economy. Oil should be replaced following manufacturers' recommendations, which is usually every 3,000 miles for most vehicles.

Fuel Injection

With more efficiency than the older-style carburetor, fuel-injection systems control fuel use and actually spray gasoline into the engine when needed. Using fuel injection, the engine combines gas vapors and air to create a combustible air-fuel mixture. The spark plugs ignite the mixture, creating a series of small explosions that drive the wheels and make the car go. Fuel-injection systems vary the richness of the mixture to suit different operating conditions. Most automotive experts recommend that fuel-injection systems be professionally cleaned once each year. When possible, use a fuel-additive cleaner every three months.

Lights

Burned-out bulbs should be promptly replaced to keep the vehicle operating in a safe manner. Halogen bulbs that are improperly replaced will have a shorter life and will not illuminate the road as effectively.

Radiator

The radiator system should be serviced according to the manufacturer's recommended mileage interval. This includes a system flush, fluid replacement, and a pressure test of the radiator cap.

Tire Pressure

Tires provide traction for moving a vehicle and assist the brakes in stopping. When properly inflated, they absorb bumps on the road and provide a smooth ride. To operate smoothly, it is essential that a tire and wheel be properly inflated and balanced. Tire imbalance will cause a poor ride, excessive tire wear, and steering and suspension-unit wear (due to continual shaking). To compensate for variations in tire wear, most manufacturers recommend a tire rotation and balance every 6,000 miles.

Transmission

The automatic transmission assumes the task of shifting gears. Most automatic transmissions use a hydraulic system to monitor engine RPMs and select the appropriate gears. Like the engine, fluid circulates through the system to lubricate and cool the moving parts, and a replaceable filter removes impurities. Automatic transmission fluid should be replaced following the manufacturer's recommended mileage interval. Under normal circumstances, the transmission pan gasket and filter should not need to be replaced prior to the 100,000-mile change (assuming that the transmission fluid has been changed following manufacturer's guidelines).

Windshield Wiper Blades

Wiper blades remove rain and snow from the windshield to improve visibility while driving. Over time, hot and cold temperatures and extreme weather conditions cause the wiper materials to break down. Replace them every six months or when visibility is diminished. Each time you get gas, take a moment to wipe off the blades using a rag or paper towel (and if possible, some rubbing alcohol).