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12 Bonehead Basics of Car Maintenance
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You know, That Guy who thinks that the best way to keep a car from overheating is to roll down the window. That Guy who hires the neighborhood kid to wash his car 'cause he’s allergic to “going outside and doing things.” There are lots of ways to be That Guy, but only one way not

to be: by regaining your self-sufficiency and learning the basics about car care. Using STP® is a good first step. And while we can’t do the rest for you, we'll give you a few pointers. Check out the tutorials. Take a look at the videos. And get under your hood. Good luck, and Don't Be That Guy.

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  • Mar
    04
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    DON’T BE THAT WASTEFUL GUY, PART II

    Posted in: Car Knowledge

    A mind is a terrible thing to waste, and so is money. But you’re wasting both if you don’t maintain your car. I mean it’s just a no-brainer to maintain ’er.

    …

    Apologies. That was unprofessional. Let’s get into it before I get the urge to rhyme again.

     

    Last time I wrote about a few easy ways to save a little money on vehicle maintenance, I told you that I could go on, and here I am. Going on. You know how in the movies, the sequel is almost never as good as the original? Not the case with blogs. Read on, amigo.

    D) Spend a little now on a bottle of antifreeze and keep it in your trunk so you don’t have to spend a lot later on. Use a funnel to add it when the engine is cool — you don’t want this stuff splattering everywhere. Antifreeze keeps the engine temperature consistent and stable in any kind of extreme weather or driving conditions. Keep it away from pets, children, and the criminally insane (always a good tip).

    5) To heck with paying someone else to assess your tires! You can use a flat, empty road to test your tires’ alignment. Go the normal speed, but don’t actually steer for a few seconds. If your car veers in one direction or the other, and you’ve got to intervene to keep the car going straight, THEN it’s time to pay someone else. Unless you’re a trained mechanic or know someone who will align your tires for free.

    F) Check the motor oil dipstick (no, I’m not calling you a dipstick) while the car is off by pulling it out, wiping it clean with a rag, and then sticking it back into place. When you pull it out again, if the oil on the dipstick is deep red or black, it’s time to have that oil changed. Don’t ignore the problem like you SHOULD be ignoring the letters and numbers preceding each of these paragraphs. Seriously though, please take good care of your engine and your car, so it can take good care of you. And that’s really what it’s all about.

    Until next time, chief. Drive well.

    STV, STP® Blogger

     

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