When purchasing a new vehicle, if the suggested maintenance program is followed correctly, and fluid levels and components with high wear rates are checked frequently, the engine will remain in good operating condition and the need for additional work will be minimized.
Without regular maintenance, your engine may develop problems, which is even more likely if you buy a used car. In such cases, additional work must be performed:
- Clean and inspect the battery and check its operation (Chapter 5)
- Check engine oil and coolant levels (Chapter 4)
- Check engine compression (Chapter 38)
- Check and adjust the tension of the drive belts (Chapter 6)
- Replace spark plugs (Chapter 35)
- Inspect the distributor cap and rotor (Chapter 36)
- Inspect the spark plug wires and ignition coils (Chapter 36)
- Check and adjust idle speed and fuel mixture ratio (Chapter 15)
- Check and adjust the ignition timing (Chapter 34)
- Replace the fuel filter (Chapter 18)
- Check the PCV valve (Chapter 31)
- Check the cooling system (Chapter 7)
- Check the exhaust gas recirculation system (Section 6)
- Check the ignition system (Section 5)
- Check the charging system (Section 5)
- Check the fuel system (Chapter 17)