CAR CARE TIPS FROM NEVCO
If you do it yourself, it is important to care for your vehicle in specific ways to assure its safety, maintain its reliability, preserve its drivability and protect its resale value.

Engine oil
This is the most important under-hood service you can do. To check the oil level, make sure that the engine is turned off, then find the engine oil dipstick and remove it. With a paper towel or rag, wipe off the end of the stick and notice the markings on it. You will usually see a mark for "Full" and another mark for "Add." Check your owners manual to be sure. Push the stick back into the tube until it seats then immediately pull it out to see the oil level. You should not add oil unless the level is below the "Add" mark and NEVER add oil to bring the level above the "Full" mark. Your main concern with this check is that oil consumption is not rapidly increasing. If it is, bring your car to Nevco as soon as possible and have it checked out. Change your oil at regular intervals. Check your owners manual for recomendations.

Transmission fluid
Most automatic transmissions should be checked while the engine is running. Make sure the car is fully warmed up. Pull the transmission dipstick out, wipe off the end and note the markings on the end of the stick. The usual markings are "Full" and "Add 1 pint." Push the stick into the tube until it seats, then immediately pull it out to see the fluid level. Transmission fluid should be pink or red in color with the look and consistency of cherry cough syrup. If the fluid is a muddy brown or has a burnt smell, have it checked by Nevco. As with the engine, never add fluid unless it is below the "Add" mark and never bring it above the "Full" mark. Make sure you check your owners manual for the type of fluid and use the correct transmission fluid for your vehicle.

Wash and Wax
Frequent washing is the single best thing you can do to maintain and preserve your vehicle's finish. Don't wait to wash if you see bird droppings, dead bugs, or other obvious contaminants on the paint surface. Bird droppings have a high acidity that if left on the paint for any length of time, can eat into the clear coat. Wash after a period of rainy weather. The acidic chemicals in rainwater will remain on the surface after the rain drops have evaporated, leaving a mark that can permanently stain the paint.

Brake fluid
The brake fluid reservoir is under the hood right in front of the steering wheel. Most cars today have a transparent reservoir so that you can see the level without opening the cover. The brake fluid level will drop slightly as the brake pads wear out. This is a normal condition and you shouldn't worry about it. If the level drops noticeably over a short period of time or goes down to about two thirds full, have your brakes checked by Nevco.

Coolant level
The cooling system reserve tank is usually translucent white so you can see the fluid level without opening it. (Do not confuse it with the windshield washer tank). The reserve tank will have two marks on the side of it. "FULL HOT" and "FULL COLD." If the level frequently goes below "full cold" after adding fluid, you probably have a leak which should be checked by Nevco as soon as possible.

Battery
Most batteries today are "maintenance free" which simply means that you can't check the water level. This doesn't mean however, that there is nothing to check. The main things to check are the top of the battery which should be clean and dry, and the terminal connections which should be clean and tight. If the top of the battery continuously becomes damp or corroded soon after cleaning, then have your electrivcal system and battery checked by Nevco.

Windshield wipers and washer solvent
Wiper blades should be changed by Nevco every 6,000 to 10,000 miles or twice a year . Wiper blades will tend to streak when they are dirty. Take a paper towel with some window cleaner and clean the rubber blade whenever you clean the windshield. Windshield washer solvent is readily available by the gallon in auto supply stores as well as supermarkets and it is cheap. It is fine to use with or without adding water but will clean better undiluted.

Belts & Hoses
Nevco can check your belts and hoses when you bring in the car for an oil change. However, if you get your oil changed by some quick lube type centers, belts and hoses may not be on their list of items to check in which case you're on your own. These checks are best done while the car is cold. Hoses should be checked visually and by feel. You are looking for dry cracked rubber, especially at the ends where they are attached. You should also check the ends for any signs of ballooning.

Tires
Buy a good tire gage and keep it in the car. Improper tire pressure can affect tire wear as well as ride and handling. Always check them when they are cold. Inspect your tires closely for signs of uneven wear at least once a month. Most likely, the cause can be corrected by Nevco. If you find a problem and correct it in time, your tires may be able to continue in service. Certain uneven wear patterns or bulges on the sidewalls may indicate that the tire has suffered internal structural damage and requires the immediate attention of Nevco.