 | Walker Russell
is the Fixed Operations Manager of Saturn East, where he oversees the daily operations of the pais the Fixed Operations Manager of Saturn East, where he oversees the daily operations of the parts and service departments. He began his career with Saturn in 1991 cleaning vehicles. In 1995 he joined the service department working at both the East and West Saturn locations until assuming his current position in 2000. Raised in Derby, Walker is married with two young daughters and a baby boy on the way. He can be reached at (316) 219-5500, toll free at (800) 732-7625, or visit him at Saturn of Wichita-East, 11200 E. Central (at Greenwich). |
Automotive Service & Repair
2004-04-01 08:49:00
Owner’s manual is important
: Now that I've bought my new car, how do I take care of it? The maintenance schedule in the owner's manual seems so generic.
ANSWER: The owner's manual is presented with every new car purchase. Unfortunately, in the excitement of purchasing that new vehicle, the manual usually gets put into the glove compartment never to see the light of day again!The Owner’s Manual is your guide to maintenance and service, your own question and answer resource. If you have questions, it has answers! It will supply you with information such as when, where, why and how to properly maintain your vehicle. Your manual is specific to the vehicle that you've purchased, but its important to know that it does not take into consideration the part of the country that you will be driving in or the individual needs of the driver. You may drive very short distances only a few times a week, or you may drive long distances all the time in very hot, dusty weather. In Kansas, for instance, the wind blows fiercely most days. Air filters and oil filters need to be changed more frequently due to dust and dirt. Owner manuals, although generic, will furnish a general maintenance schedule to help you keep your vehicle in good working condition.Recommended Service Intervals• Once a week (or at each fill-up)- Check oil, water, wiper fluid, engine coolant/antifreeze level, and tire condition and pressure.• Once a month- Check transmission fluid and brake fluid, windshield wiper blades, and power steering fluid. Also check the condition of belts, hoses, and battery cables.• Every 3 months or 3,000 miles- Change oil, oil filter, and air filter. Inspect engine drive belts, shock absorbers, and all lights on vehicle. Check battery.• Every 6 months or 6,000 miles- Check the brake system, and inspect and/or rotate tires. Review condition of clutch system (manual transmissions), and chassis lubrication.• Once a year- Safety inspection, which includes: underbody flushing, service engine cooling system (which should include inspecting the radiator, water pump, fan belt, thermostat(s), radiator cap, and anti-freeze). Check accelerator control system, and lubricate doors, locks, hinges, and parking brake.• 30,000 miles or 2 years- Change spark plugs and fuel filter, inspect spark plug wire, and check engine timing if needed. In conclusion, some vehicle makes and models require specific needs. Trust your owner's manual, and an experienced service technician.
