Issue #43 Vol. 35, December 1st, 2009
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Opinions

Students and Money

By Trevor Dore

 Car maintenance

Many students who attend Douglas College live far enough away from campus that taking public transit just simply isn’t practical. The time that it would take to arrive by bus or by SkyTrain in some cases is double the time it takes to drive.

For some students, the decision to drive rather than take transit is a matter of comfort and convenience. The ability to get up and go whenever accompanied by the luxury of single occupancy is simply priceless. For others, it comes down to a simple cost-benefit analysis. Is the extra time spent taking transit really worth the potential savings?

A vehicle can provide efficient comfortable transportation provided it is maintained properly. The following are some tips on how to keep your vehicle ready and reliable:

  • Fluids: the number one most important thing is fluid maintenance—fluids are the lifeblood of all automobiles.
    • Engine Oil: maintaining a proper engine oil level will significantly increase the lifespan of your vehicle and is easy to check when filling up with gas. Changing your engine oil and filter every 5000 kilometres will make the engine bulletproof and increase the resale value of your vehicle. Many places offer oil change services that are quick and cheap. If you do nothing else—do this!
    • Coolant: somewhat like our bodies, vehicles run best when they are hydrated. Not enough coolant can cause your engine to overheat in the summer and run cold during the winter. If you have an aluminum engine make sure to use aluminum compatible anti-freeze (it will say so on the bottle). If you’re thinking water will do the trick, think again. While it is okay as a temporary fix in the summer, if you forget to change it in the winter you could be left with a cracked engine block, which works great as a boat anchor.
    • Others: brake fluid, clutch fluid and transmission fluid are all very important. It is important to ensure that they are always at the proper level and changed at proper intervals. Windshield washer fluid, while it is not necessary for the proper function of the vehicle, it is necessary for the safe operation—make sure it is topped up, especially during the winter months.
  • Body: a well-maintained auto body can enhance aesthetics as well as performance. Keeping your vehicle cleaning will prevent corrosion. This is especially important in the winter months when corrosive salts and sands are spread on the roads. These corrosive materials will eat away at the paint and expose the bare metal, eventually resulting in rust. Rust is automotive cancer—once it starts to spread it’s hard to stop and can have devastating results. Wax is a great way to protect and maintain that new car finish. A clean vehicle is also a more aerodynamic, fuel-efficient vehicle.
  • Tires: tires are constantly in contact with the pavement, which causes constant wear. Maintaining proper tire pressure will help reduce this wear, prolong the life of your treads and increase fuel efficiency. Tire gauges are cheap and easy to use. If you notice that they are a little low, be sure to top them up the next time you are a gas station.

    These are just the basics and most of this information and more can be found in your owner’s manual. If you are having any difficulties with the maintenance or are not comfortable doing it on your own, take your vehicle to the local garage where the friendly mechanics—who have all of the tools—will gladly give you a hand.

    Remember, repairs may seem like a burden but if left unchecked, they could lead to the demise of your entire vehicle; that $200 bill you were once looking at has all of a sudden become a $2000 bill.

    Every time you do something or have something done to your vehicle, make note of it. When it comes time to sell your vehicle, you will be able to show that all of the regular maintenance has been done—a surefire selling feature.