​The car is a big investment and it is important to take care of it. There are many things that you can do to keep your car running smoothly.

• Keep the tires inflated and balanced.
• Have the oil changed regularly.
• Check the air filter regularly.
• Check the coolant level regularly.
• Check for leaks in the engine, transmission, and other parts of the car.
• Get your brakes checked regularly by a mechanic or at a service station.

Automobile Maintenance Can Save You Money in the Long Run

Oil Change
The best way to maintain a car is to change the oil every 3,000 miles. This will help keep your engine running smoothly and prevent any major problems from happening. Is synthetic oil right for my car?

Tires
It is also important to have your tires rotated every 5,000 miles. This will help ensure that you are getting the most out of your tires and they are not wearing unevenly. Read about proper tire tread depth.

Brakes
Finally, it is important to have your brakes checked every time you get an oil change. This will help ensure that you are not driving around with faulty brakes and risking an accident.

The Most Common Problems with Cars
Common car problems are usually related to the engine, transmission, and brakes. The engine is the part of the car that converts fuel into motion. The transmission is what transmits power from the engine to the wheels. Brakes are what stop a car when it needs to stop.

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​Below are the five main sounds that you will hear coming from internal combustion engines and the reasons why they occurred.

1) Knocking Noises

You will hear knocking noises whenever you accelerate your vehicle or change gears. The knocking will come from the inside of the engine. The sound signifies a problem with the timing of the air and fuel mixture’s ignition within the cylinders of the engine. If the ignition happens too early, then you will hear these knocking sounds. The timing of the ignition is important because it determines whether the proper amount of power is going to be produced. 

A simple engine tune-up for your vehicle might fix the problem. If the sounds still remain, then your engine could have a worn-out component that needs to be replaced or repaired or worse you may need your engine replacement! Anytime you need to have work done on the engine, it is going to cost a lot of money to hire a mechanic for such a task. Before you do this, see if your car has something called a knock sensor that manages these sounds. If it does, then replacing the knock sensor might be all you need to do to eliminate the sounds. 

Also, check the level of the engine oil and verify that it is correct. 

2) Cold Start Rattling Noises

It is natural for some of the newer car engines to rattle a bit during a cold start. The rattle comes from the timing chain that is used with the engine. As the years go by, the engine will start to rattle as it gets older. If you hear these rattling noises, then it likely means your timing chain is wearing out. If you already know that your engine has a timing chain, then you should get it inspected by a mechanic. They have the proper diagnostic equipment to check on it properly. Otherwise, the worn-out timing chain could end up damaging your engine. 

3) Tapping / Clicking Noises

When your engine runs, do you hear constant tapping or clicking noises? If so, this could be the upper valve train that manages the opening and closing of the exhaust valves and air intake valves. You can find out whether the upper valve train is responsible for the noises by removing the engine head and evaluating it. You’ll see the camshaft moving the tappets and the springs returning them into their original positions. If there is reduced oil pressure in the engine or worn-out springs, then these tapping and clicking noises may be heard. Also, check the oil dipstick to check how much oil is in the engine.  Maintenance tip: Get regular oil changes!

4) Shrieking / Squealing Noises

Most people hear squealing and shrieking noises coming from their engine after a while. The belts are actually the parts which generate these noises. The belts connected to the engine are also used to run the AC compressor, power steering pulley and timing. The newer belts are made from rubber instead of chains. A cold started engine will cause the noises to grow louder. As you start driving and accelerating your vehicle, the noises will gradually go away. The belts may slip away from the pulley, which would cause you to hear this noise. Worn out or loose belts often due slip away from their pulleys like this. That is why you need to replace your belts if they appear to be worn out. Either that or tighten the serpentine belt and test to see if you continue to hear the noises. 

5) Grinding Sounds

If you shift gears in a manual transmission vehicle and hear grinding sounds, then it is a transmission issue. The gears in the transmission are probably grinding aggressively against one another. A lot of the older manual vehicles have this problem. Don’t assume the transmission is bad, though, because the transmission may not be able to be disengaged from the engine by the clutch. Either that or the clutch is not being depressed the right away prior to shifting. Get transmission service!

When someone learns how to operate a stick shift for the first time, it is common for them to encounter this problem. In some cases, the clutch mechanism may be too old and worn out rather than the driver’s actions being the cause of the sounds. If you have a worn-out clutch system, then it should be replaced. 

​WATCH - A new video from the Car Care Council, entitled “Auto Care Goes a Long Way,” shows how vehicle owners can save money with some simple preventative maintenance.