Car Maintenance Checklist Series

How often: Make sure that you check your oil each, and every month.

Time required: Less than 10 minutes.

Your oil is one of the most important parts of your car.  Without oil, your engine is bound to fail, and you don’t want that $4,000 bill at the shop, do you?  As part of our car maintenance checklist, I wanted to give you a quick synopsis on how you can check your oil.  It generally will take you a little less than 5 minutes, and you’ll be glad you did.

How to check your oil levels –

Park your car in a safe area: If you live at a house, pull your car into the driveway, rather than doing it in the garage.  If you live where you park in a public place, make sure that you’re not near any traffic.

Pull the hood: Release the hood, and you’ll want to look for the oil dipstick.  This is a long piece of metal sticking out of the engine.  It will have the label “oil” on it.

Draw the dipstick: Make sure that you have a clean paper towel, or cloth handy.  You’ll want to pull the dipstick out, clean it, and stick it back in.

Pull out again: Now that the dipstick was clean, now you’ll get an accurate reading.  When you pull out the dipstick, you’ll want to check the levels.  If you look on the stick, you’ll notice level marks.  You’ll always want to make sure that your oil is as close to the “full” line.

Add more oil: If your levels are off, you may want to add a little more oil.  Make sure that you get the oil that your engine recommends.  If you’re unsure of this, either get your oil added professionally, or get an oil change altogether.

Put the cap back on: If you do decide to add more oil, make sure you replace the cap, as well as put the dipstick back in.

There you have it, it’s as simple as that when you’re ready to check your oil.  Just make sure that you do this at least once a month.

If you’re looking for an SUV that will suite all your needs, be sure to consider the Ford Expedition.  This SUV has some great features, and seats up to 8 people!  Also, this SUV is available in 16 different trims, which are listed below.

Ford Expeditions available: XLT 4×2, XLT 4×4, EL XLT 4×2, EL XLT 4×4, Eddie Bauer 4×2, Eddie Bauer 4×4, EL Eddie Bauer 4×2, EL Eddie Bauer 4×4, Limited 4×2, Limited 4×4, EL Limited 4×2, El Limited 4×4, King Ranch 4×2, King Ranch 4×4, EL King Ranch 4×2, EL King Ranch 4×4

MSRP : $35,085 – $50,740

Seating capacity : 8 people

Key features :

- Applies to certain models only:

• 5 Star frontal crash test rating
• Roll stability control (RSC)
• Rear view camera
• Airbag coverage
• Reverse sensing system
• SYNC
• Rain-sensing wipers
• GPS
• V-8 engine
• Heated/cooled seats
• Power fold – 3rd row seating
• Big towing capacity

Gas mileage : 14/20

Awards won : No awards yet

News articles:

• Business Week
• ABC News

Videos:

• Kelley Blue Book
• Quick Drive

The Ford Explorer is one of the most well liked SUVs on the market.  It has many great features, and has improved tremendously over the years.  The Explorer is a 4-door, up to 7-passenger sport-utility, available in two trims, which are listed below.

Ford Explorers available: XLT 4.0 L, Limited 4.0 L

MSRP : $31,200 – $38,200

Seating capacity : 7 people

Key features :

- Applies to certain models only:

• Roll stability control (RSC)
• Safety canopy system
• Intelligent safety system
• 5 Star crash test rating
• Power fold – 3rd row seating
• Auxiliary audio input jack
• SIRIUS Satellite radio
• DVD entertainment system
• Navigation system
• V-8 engine
• All-wheel drive

Gas mileage : 13/19

Awards won : No awards yet

News articles:

• Behind the Wheel
• Performance Review

Videos:

• Inside the Explorer
• Kelley Blue Book

The Ferrari F430 is a one of a kind sports car.  It’s sleek style, and speed are more than enough to turn your head.  The F430 is a 2-door and 2-passenger luxury sports car, and/or convertible.  It is available in two different trims, which are listed below.

Ferrari F430s available: Coupe, Spider

MSRP : $186,925 – $217,310

Seating capacity : 2 people

Key features :

- Applies to certain models only:

• V-8 engine berlinettas
• E-Diff
• Light and compact 4,308 cc engine
• 490 horsepower
• 0-100 km/h in 4 seconds
• Max speed 315 hm/h
• Outstanding aerodynamics

Gas mileage : N/A

Awards won : No awards yet

News articles:

• Forbes 1st drive
• Behind the wheel

Videos:

• Test drive
• Ferrari Spider

Ah, we finally have our license.  This is something we’ve been waiting for, for these past 16 years!  Now, the keys are in our hand, and whether or not you have your own car, we have a car to drive (most likely our parents.)  This is an exciting time in your life, but it is important to not let excitement get the best of  you.  We’ve all heard it, our parents lecturing us about how to drive when we’re on the road  alone, or with friends, but really it is important advice to take.  There are many things that can help young drivers become great drivers.  If you’re interested in how to become a great driver, consider a few of these tips.

Focus – First of all, there is nothing more important than focusing on the road.  Get familiar with what is around you, keep in mind which cars are around you, and just keep your eyes on the road.

Eliminate distractions – Also, it is important to eliminate any distractions.  This means DON’T talk on your cell phone, text, blast your radio, or allow yourself to get distracted from the road.  Distractions are a major cause of accidents, don’t let yourself get into the next accident.

Remember – Remember what your parents said.  If you feel like you’re doing something your parents wouldn’t want you to do, stop doing it.  That is your guilty conscious coming in trying to knock some sense into you.  So, remember what your parents said, and think as if they are constantly watching you.

Drinking and driving – Don’t even think about drinking and driving.  It is one of the most dangerous situations you can get yourself into and others on the road.  Don’t be selfish, instead think of your future and others.  If you need a ride home, your parents will be more than happy you called for a ride.

Others – It is important to think of others when your driving them around.  You’re in control of their life at the moment, so you want to make sure you take care of them and make sure you focus to avoid any accidents.

Driving is a great thing, and a major advantage when you get your licence.  Do what you can to keep yourself safe, have fun, but always use your head.  Read over these tips again to make sure you understand the importance of being careful on the road!