Check your engine belts/hoses for cracks
The belts on your engine are very important to check monthly, and should be replaced if worn, glazed or frayed. They should also be tightened if slack is more than 1/2" between pulleys. Check and replace hoses that show bulging, rotting or are brittle; keep hose clamps tightened. Again, check these monthly.
Washer fluid in reservoir
It is important to keep fluid in the car windshield washer reservoir full. As you ?top-off? the fluid, wet a rag to clean off the wiper blades. During winter months, heed the freezing point of fluid. You might want to add ?lower-temp? fluid to keep reservoir from cracking.
Prepare your car for warm weather
Something you sould begin checking on now is that your radiator still has a good level of antifreeze/coolant. With warm/hot weather coming on, this will aid in cooling your engine when using the airconditioner. In hot weather, you should check weekly for sufficient water and coolant. NEVER remove the radiator cap when engine is hot!! If the water is a transluscent green, you probably have sufficient coolant, but best to have a professional check first off. You could also purchase a test gauge at auto supply store.
Changing windshield wipers
It is so important to have good, reliable wiper blades on your car. Remember that last downpour? And your wiper blades were partially shreded and couldn?t ?see a thing?? Now this is dangerous. Get to the nearest auto parts store and replace those blades; I prefer the double-blade type. Most stores will put these on for you if you can?t do it yourself. For your safety sake, keep your windshield wipers in good shape. BTW, if your state has safety inspections, this is a must if you want your car to pass inspection!
Antifreeze
Be sure to check for enough antifreeze/coolant in your radiator weekly. Some cars will have transparent reservoirs with level marking; fill to level marking with 60-40 solution of antifreeze and water. NEVER remove the pressure cap of radiator when engine is hot. You can buy a tool for checking antifreeze level at auto parts store, but rule-of-thumb is if radiator water is dark-greenish, you have good level of antifreeze.
Brake Fluid
Maintain a monthly check of the brake fluid in our cars. Begin by wiping dirt off the reservoir lid of the master cylinder; pry off safety clip and remove or unscrew plastic lid (depends on the type your vehicle has). Add approved type of fluid for your car, and check for possible leaks in this system. Fill to mark on the reservoir...Do NOT overfill!
Keep gas tank full!
Did you know that your gas tank accumulates a ?sludge? build-up in the bottom? To avoid this sludge from clogging your fuel pump, or causing problems with the carburetor, keep a full tank of gas. When your gas gauge shows half empty (or half full :o), fill up the tank. This also helps when you have a travel emergency arise; you won?t have to worry about running out of gas at night or in the middle of a snow storm! I?ve put as much as 150,000 miles on a car with no fuel pump or carburetor problems. When you drive with your tank 1/4 full or below, the sludge is sucked into your pump and/or carburetor, eventually causing expensive repairs.
Avoid car door-lock freezing
To avoid the locks on car doors from freezing in wintertime, place a small magnet over the locks. Flat magnets will do in a pinch, but best would be the round fridge magnets; found at most hardware or craft stores. Don?t forget to replace these while at work or shopping.
Gas-tank/Static Electricity Fires.
How often do we take for granted the chore of filling our motor vehicle gas tank? We put the pump nozzle in our tank on automatic fill, jump back in our vehicle to get our credit card or wallet, and step back to grab the pump handle. This article Gas Tank/Static Electricity Warning may change your mind about filling your tank!
Power Steering fluid
Power Steering fluid should be checked monthly. We?ll just need to remove the dipstick to check the level of fluid; add fluid only if level is down. Also check the pump and hoses for leaks.
Watch air-pressure in tires
Stuck in snow or ice? No snow tires or tire chains? Let out some of the air in the tires (about 8 lbs. pressure); this will give more traction to the tire and you?ll slide much less. Take extra precautions when driving on snow or ice. Then remember to replace air in tires!
Radiator Flushing
To ensure radiator and engine function, the radiator of motor vehicles should be flushed at least once a year, depending on the mileage of each car. Have this flushing done at any radiator shop for professional safety; then be sure to add anti-freeze/coolant with the radiator water or particular reservoir. DO NOT let radiator water become ?rusty?.