Maintenance to be carried out during car servicing.

[Team-CCI]

Maintenance:

• Change the oils and fluids at around 5000 kilometres. Don't worry about expensive synthetics (unless you want to go longer intervals.) For most cars the added cost doesn't justify any negligible power gains that may come from a full synthetic. However, if you are modifying your engine internals for performance, it would be a wise choice to go with synthetic oils.
• Change your air filter. Just check on it every 15-20k miles and make sure it looks clean. An aftermarket air-filter like K&N is a wise investment because you can clean and reuse them. They also bump up the performance a little and make your car's engine sound more throaty. However, do not be fooled by impractical performance gains as they are usually negligible.
• Rotate your tires. Not only does this help them wear evenly, but it often allows your mechanic to spot problems early (worn struts, brake issues, etc.)
• Check the condition of brake pads, rotors and shoes. Your life depends on these things, so don't ignore them.
• Get the car polished or waxed. This will prolong the exteriors and keep them in a better condition, which will usually fetch you more money when you decide to sell the car.
• Deal with problems as they come up. Prolonging repairs usually leads to more expenses and collateral damage. If you plan on keeping the car, put the money into it when it needs it. It's really that simple.

Tips:

• Keep your tires inflated to proper factory specs. This will ensure that you're getting proper gas mileage. Your tires will also wear properly.
• Don't accelerate too hard from lights. It is the easiest way to burn more fuel.
• If you've got a manual transmission, downshift to shave speed. There are the people who say "brakes are cheaper than clutches." These people don't understand cars. As long as you're downshifting at the proper speed for that particular gear, your clutch and transmission will be fine. You'll replace brakes 3x over if you rely solely on your brakes to bring you to a halt. As auto transmissions get more and more sophisticated they're getting better and better at learning when to downshift.
• Finally, don't get fooled into buying fuel additives, octane boosters and premium fuels. Regular fuel is fine unless your car's manufacturer demands fuel of a specific octane rating.