If the owner of a new car from the date of purchase strictly adhered to the schedule of routine maintenance procedures (see Section 3), performed checks of critical parameters quite often, maintained the required level of lubricating fluids, the car will very rarely need to perform additional maintenance and refurbishment (beyond the replacement of wear-prone components and consumables).
On the other hand, in the event of a careless attitude to the implementation of regular maintenance procedures and violation of the established deadlines for conducting inspections, the efficiency of the engine's output will sooner or later decrease. The likelihood of such a situation is especially high in the case of purchasing a used car. In such cases, it becomes necessary to perform a set of settings for the power unit in excess of the amount of work on the current maintenance of the car.
The first step in tuning or troubleshooting an underpowered engine is always to check the compression pressure in the cylinders (see chapter 2), the analysis of the results of which allows you to assess the general condition of the internal components of the engine and outline a plan for future adjustment and / or restoration work. For example, if a compression test reveals signs of serious engine wear, a simple set of adjustments will not be enough to correct the situation, and it will be a waste of time and money. Because of the value of information obtained from a compression test, it should be performed by a suitably experienced and qualified mechanic who has the necessary diagnostic tools.
Below are lists of basic procedures to get the most out of a vehicle that is in good mechanical condition.
List of the minimum set of checks and adjustments
- Check fluid levels, leaks and condition (see Section 4);
- Check tire condition and inflation pressure (see Section 12);
- Check the correct functioning of all daily used electrical consumers (outdoor lighting devices, saloon lamps, horn, control lamps and indicators, climate system, etc.);
- Check the proper operation of the parking brake (see Section 8);
- Check the condition of the wiper blades (see Section 7);
- Check the condition of the door and hood locks, lubricate them if necessary;
- Check the condition of the battery and clean the terminals if necessary (see Section 17);
- Check all hoses, tubes and electrical wiring located in the engine compartment (especially where they join) for leaks and wear (see Section 5).