What is the most important thing to know about a car?

[GURUving]

I want to be friends with mine.

[Atman]

1. The difference between R and D

[xray s]

2. Change the oil every 3000 miles

Thats the most important thing.

[radwriter0555]

19. 5000 miles is ok unless it leaks. The oil cos admitted that 3k was a

scam to sell more oil.

But yes, changing the oil, water in the radiator, and KEEP IT CLEAN.

Nothing holds the value more than the appearance.

Clean windshields help you see better.

[ProfessorGAC]

23. A Caveat On That

Smaller engines do need oil more often. About 4000 miles is safe. 5000 miles on a small 4c engine is getting close to the breakdown state of the detergent that suspends the char and polycyclics that form due to high engine temperatures.

A v-6 or larger engine is likely Ok to every 5k miles. However, if you do a lot of short hop city driving, the fact that the engine never comes to temperature and doesn't expand properly, means that there is more wear and lubricity becomes more critical. So, if you do little highway driving, oil should be changed more often.

The big scam, i think, is the "change at 3000 miles or 3 months". It doesn't matter how long the oil is in the engine. What matters is the time at temperature. (All chemical reactions are rate dependent upon time at a given temperature. Since most of the breakdown reactions are 1st order, it's an exponential curve.) So, oil that is sitting in the crankcase may take nearly forever to breakdown. Changing oil by time, rather than by mileage is the real con job.
The Professor

[Sapphocrat]

3. Know how to...

- check the oil;
- fill the oil;
- change a tire;
- check the water;
- NOT check the water when the engine is hot;
- fill the water;
- add coolant/antifreeze;
- keep the A/C off on mountain roads;
- stop driving when you hear a loud knocking, and call a mechanic.

[nosmokes]

4. where the brake is.

and you need to check the oil.

and look around, the local community college may have a class every once in a while on basic car maintenance/mechanics.

[foreigncorrespondent]

5. Easy!

My past history shows that I have built street machines and the like. I mean I have pulled V8 engines down and put them back together (with all new parts, and of course modified parts for better performance etc.) No I don't claim to be an expert, but I have been around the block more times than I care to remember, and know what I am talking about, when it comes to cars.

But for people who don't know much about cars, just make sure you know how to check the fluid (engine oil, break fluid, transmission fluid, clutch fluid if you drive a manual, water) levels of your car on a regular basis. Also if you don't drive your car much, make sure to turn the engine over (in order to charge the battery) at least once a week.

[Booberdawg]

6. Where you you last out the car keys

[arewethereyet]

7. do I look good in it ?

face it you won't ever really like it if you don't

[SoCalDem]

8. Never EVER talk about "extra" money you might have, in the car

The car will "hear" you and withing a few days, you will have to fix something.. It will usually exceed what you had by at least $200.

[PartyPooper]

9. Rule Number One: Join An Auto Club

like AAA!

That should take care of most roadside emergencies!

;-)

[arewethereyet]

10. I'd stick with a cel phone

cheaper and more versatile

[SheilaT]

11. How to drive a stick.

You want to be in control of your car.

[toddzilla]

13. i havent' changed oil in a car since 1996

waste of money, bad for the environment. make sure it has oil, and if you overheat it or contaminate it then change it.

otherwise.. just run the crap out of it.. :silly:

[OneBlueSky]

12. that if you treat it well . . .

it will likely repay you with many years of good service . . . change the oil regularly, get regular tuneups (or, better yet, learn to do them yourself), fix problems as they arise, and you'll probably be able to ride her into the ground (unless it's a Yugo or something similar) . . . I've had my GEO Prizm for 13 years, and it still runs like a top . . .

[scottcsmith]

14. Do not eat it

You may be tempted to pour on some Yoshida's and munch away. AVOID THE TEMPTATION! Cars are meant for drivin', not eatin'.

[onebigbadwulf]

15. It's history

there's nothing worse than a lemon.

[ProudGerman]

16. How not to be intimidated by it

Invest in a Haynes or a Chiltons manual. Everything is step by step with explicit instructions, and most of the time with pics. Even Dipshit could work on a car with one of these. Damn near everything will be covered in these manuals. Every car owner should have one for their car.

With a manual such as these, all you will need some time, and proper tools (the manuals will even tell you which tools you need for each job). Those especially timid can have a mechanically inclined friend watch over them while they do it.

I can tell you one thing though. If you work on your car, and fix it, you will love your car. It's a beautiful thing when a man/woman and his/her car become one. *wipes tear* Cars love it when you pay attention to their needs, and spend some quality time with them.

[Blade]

17. They use a lot of gas...

so you're better off riding a bike. :D

[3rdParty]

18. #1 thing to know....

to be sure to ever so gently ease the nossel into the gas tank. Do not just ram it in.

[Braden]

20. where you parked it last

[GOPisEvil]

21. You've got to know which end is the front, and which is the back.

[terrya]

22. It will break down at the most inappropriate times. eom

[Loonman]

24. WAS IT EVER IN AN ACCIDENT!!!!!

You'd be surprised how many rubes buy cars that were cosmetically "spruced up" by the dealer and sold for top dollar.