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Car Care Tips
Preventive Maintenance helps keep your vehicles in their best condition
with a cleaner, stronger machine power that gives you a trouble-free,
smooth drive. Plus! It helps you save more money by preventing costly repairs!
Here are some important tips on how to keep your vehicles in tiptop form:
Automatic Transmission
The automatic transmission fluid (ATF) is one of the most important
factors in the life of an automatic transmission. It transmits power from
the engine to your drive wheels, while simultaneously lubricating and
cleaning your transmission. In fact, majority of automatic transmission
breakdowns is attributed to irregular changing and deterioration of
automatic transmission fluids. Operating temperatures will rise and
lubrication will decrease, leading to premature wear and transmission
failure.
The ATF should be changed regularly in accordance to the manufacturer's
schedule and using the correct fluid specification to extend the life of
your transmission. For these requirements, it is best that you bring your
vehicle to Toyota Balintawak, Inc. Our Company has conceptualized periodic
maintenance packages that are inclusive of Automatic Transmission Fluid
inspection and replacements.
back to top Batteries
The battery and its connections should be checked regularly, if possible
during every oil change.
The battery itself should be mounted securely, as vibration affects the
battery life.
The electrolyte, in non-maintenance-free batteries, should be checked and
topped-off with distilled water (at the correct levels).
Connections should be tight, clean and corrosion-free. The plastic casing
can be cleaned with a mixture of baking soda and water.
back to top Body Panels/Vehicle Exterior
Frequent washing and polishing will protect your vehicle.
Keeping your vehicle constantly clean clears away the build up of damaging
chemicals and dirt that may destroy your vehicle's finish.
In cases wherein harmful "droppings" such as tree saps, birds' wastes come
into contact with your car's exterior, wash these wastes immediately with
soft car shampoo mixed with water.
If your vehicle is involved in a collision, no matter how minor the damage
is, especially when the metal of a panel is exposed, have the vehicle
immediately repaired and painted. Neglecting to have the damage repaired
will result to corrosion and more expensive repairs.
back to top Brakes
Have your brakes inspected (including cleaning and adjustment) every 10,000
kilometers to ensure your safety and to avoid costly replacements of
related brake parts. For SUVs and severe usage of vehicles, we advise
that the pads and shoes are inspected every 5,000 kms.
Brakes are normal wear items for any car, so it is best that pads and shoes
are checked regularly to prevent metal-to-metal contacts with the discs and
drums.
Symptoms of brake problems may include dragging, squealing (wear
indicator), pulsating brake pedal, grinding, low pedal, and pulling when
braking. Squealing, however, should not be confused with the normal noise
created by the metal chips of today's pads. These metal particles prolong
the lifespan of the pads as compared to the old asbestos materials that
wear out faster. Likewise, the low level pedal height of vehicles with
brake assists is normal. In such system, the brake pedal feel is soft,
spongy and low, but the braking force is the same.
If your car exhibits any of the symptoms, have it checked by TBK, Inc./ or TBK - North Edsa. back to top Clutch Disc & Pressure Plate (Manual Transmission)
During the course of normal driving, pressure is applied to the clutch
disc and is released continuously. Thus, the lining of the disc becomes
worn and is considered a normal wear item.
Here are some common symptoms of a worn clutch disc and pressure plate:
For an accurate diagnosis of your clutch system, it is advisable to bring
your vehicle to Toyota Balintawak, Inc. to confirm the symptoms and proper
repair procedures.
back to top CV Joints
The most common symptom of a damaged constant velocity joint is the
clicking or popping sound you hear as you make a sharp turn. Almost
always, the cause of CV joint damage is a rubber boot that becomes hard
and cracked.
Simply look for grease spills near the axle boots area that indicate
breakage. To avoid the costly replacement of the inner and outer joints
(one side), immediately replace a broken boot.
back to top Drive Belts
The two types of drive belts are the V-belt and the serpentine belt.
V-belts are to be checked for glazing.
Glazing is a result of the heat from the belt sliding in the pulleys. The
belt has shiny sidewalls and causes a chattering, slapping or squealing
noise. And because the glazing hardens the belt, cracking is imminent and
results to early failure.
To avoid the belts from sliding, proper tension and correct belt size
should strictly be followed. Likewise, the belt should be grease and oil-free.
Though a serpentine belt has a longer lifespan as compared to a V-belt, it
should still be checked for cracks at the ribbed area. The back, on the
other hand, should be inspected for grooves, fraying, and splitting.
back to top Drive Shaft Boots
In most vehicles of today, power is transmitted to the wheels through
flexible axles. Rubber boots cover the areas where the axles flex to keep
dust and dirt off the joints.
The boots, however, are made of rubber that becomes hard and cracked over
time. Failure to replace the broken boots will result to rapid wearing of
the joints due to dirt seepage.
back to top Interior
Equally important to cleaning your vehicle's exterior is keeping the
interior clean and well maintained.
Regular vacuuming removes much of the dirt that can contribute to wear and
tear of the fabric (seats & sidings) and carpet. It also minimizes the
likelihood of stains.
Nowadays, there are a lot of good products that protect the surfaces of
interior panels, fabric upholsteries, leathers and carpets. Such products
repel water and stains, making cleaning easier the next time around.
back to top Manual Transmission
Like in an Automatic Transmission, the fluid in your manual transmission
needs to be changed regularly. Changing the fluid will extend your
transmission's life by removing moisture and dirt, and by maintaining
lubrication and minimizing high speed foaming.
back to top Oil and Oil Filter
Just like automatic and manual transmissions, the engine depends greatly on
lubrication. Periodic oil and oil filter changes keep your engine clean on
the inside. Motor oil can become contaminated by metallic shavings, dust
and condensation. Even the oil additives breakdown over time and become
contaminants.
In this regard, our company recommends changing oil and oil filter every
5,000 kilometers. And in cases of fully synthetic oil usage wherein the
oil change interval is longer (depending on the oil manufacturer's
recommended oil change interval), the oil filter still needs to be
changed every 5,000 kilometers.
back to top Radiator Hoses
The radiator hoses should be inspected for cracks from the outside.
However, radiator hose cracks really begin from the inside wall to the
outside as a result of electrochemical degradation, so evidence of coolant
leaks should also be observed around the areas near the hoses.
back to top Timing Belts
The vehicle manufacturer's recommendation to replace the timing belt
should always be followed.
If your vehicle's timing belt is not changed on the correct replacement
interval, the belt could break and will cause major engine damage.
In this regard, please contact us
or call Toyota Balintawak, Inc./ or Toyota North Edsa for the correct
timing belt replacement interval of your vehicles.
back to top Tire Pressure
Correct tire pressure is important in achieving good mileage, safety,
longer tire life and optimum vehicle handling performance.
To achieve accurate inflation of the tires, check the pressure when the
tires are cold.
Use the recommended tire pressure listed in your vehicle's owner's manual
or on the inflation sticker found on the driver's door jamb.
back to top Wheel Alignment, Tire Balancing and Rotation
Have your vehicle's wheels aligned at least once a year or every 20,000
kilometers.
However, due to bad road conditions in our country, it is advisable to
have the wheel alignment service immediately done if any of the following
conditions is discovered, even if the vehicle has not traveled
20,000 kms./or even if a year has not yet passed since the last alignment:
Tire rotation is as important as wheel alignment when it comes to
equalizing thread wear. If it is done regularly, your tire's perceived wear
and tear lifespan is maximized. Toyota Balintawak, Inc. recommends tire
rotation to be done every 10, 000 kilometers.
Tire balancing, on the other hand, should be performed if the tires produce
vibration and noise. These common symptoms of unbalanced tires are usually
felt on the steering wheel at middle speeds. Also, to avoid the premature
wear of the tires, suspension and steering parts, have your vehicle's tires
balanced when you have your tire rotation so that the wheels, while
spinning, will not have heavy spots that cause vibration.
back to top Windshield
Keep the windshield clear and clean at all times.
Dirt, insects, debris should be removed from the glass surface with the use
of proper glass cleaners and sponge. Never use a cleaning tool made out of
strong abrasive materials, as it will scratch the surface.
Frequently inspect your wiper blades for damage and deterioration.
Make sure that the windshield washer jar is filled at all times.
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Toyota Balintawak Inc.,
EDSA Cor. Vicente Ang and General Evangelista Streets, Caloocan City, PH 1400 Contact us at (02) 366-8901 to 06
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