How often: This should be done each and every month.

Time required: 5-15 minutes depending on make, and model.

Checking on your radiator and coolant is a habit that you should get into each and every month.  It may sound foreign to you now, but be rest assured, that it isn’t that hard to check, I promise.  You’ll want to make sure that your car’s engine is getting all the fluids that it needs to run properly.

How to check your hoses –

Locate your car’s hoses:  You’ll want to pull up your hood, and locate your car’s two radiator hoses.  If you don’t know where to look, look directly at the engine, and spot the hoses coming out.  The top one will take the hot coolant away from the engine, while the one below returns the cool liquid.

Inspect the hoses: Inspect the hose as you would a garden hose or something of that nature.  You’ll want to look for any spots, or leaks that don’t look like they should be there.  If you do spot something like this, you’ll want to get it fixed asap.

Look for the clamp: Look for the clamp where the hose is near.  You’ll want to inspect this clamp, and make sure that the hose is settled in there tightly.  If you can move it around, and rotate it, that’s not a good sign.  You’ll either want to tighten the clamps, or get it fixed by a professional.

Check the firmness: Next, you’ll want to squeeze the hose.  If the hose is firm, that’s great.  If it doesn’t spring back, you may want to look into getting that hose replaced.

Change your coolant: If your coolant does need to be changed, make sure that you wear gloves, and safely dispose of the liquid.  Also be sure to follow these steps with replacing the hoses as well.

This process shouldn’t take you longer than 15 minutes to do.  The newer make and model based cars are a lot easier to check.

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How often: Make sure that you check your oil each, and every month.

Time required: Less than 10 minutes.

Your oil is one of the most important parts of your car.  Without oil, your engine is bound to fail, and you don’t want that $4,000 bill at the shop, do you?  As part of our car maintenance checklist, I wanted to give you a quick synopsis on how you can check your oil.  It generally will take you a little less than 5 minutes, and you’ll be glad you did.

How to check your oil levels –

Park your car in a safe area: If you live at a house, pull your car into the driveway, rather than doing it in the garage.  If you live where you park in a public place, make sure that you’re not near any traffic.

Pull the hood: Release the hood, and you’ll want to look for the oil dipstick.  This is a long piece of metal sticking out of the engine.  It will have the label “oil” on it.

Draw the dipstick: Make sure that you have a clean paper towel, or cloth handy.  You’ll want to pull the dipstick out, clean it, and stick it back in.

Pull out again: Now that the dipstick was clean, now you’ll get an accurate reading.  When you pull out the dipstick, you’ll want to check the levels.  If you look on the stick, you’ll notice level marks.  You’ll always want to make sure that your oil is as close to the “full” line.

Add more oil: If your levels are off, you may want to add a little more oil.  Make sure that you get the oil that your engine recommends.  If you’re unsure of this, either get your oil added professionally, or get an oil change altogether.

Put the cap back on: If you do decide to add more oil, make sure you replace the cap, as well as put the dipstick back in.

There you have it, it’s as simple as that when you’re ready to check your oil.  Just make sure that you do this at least once a month.

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If you’re looking for an SUV that will suite all your needs, be sure to consider the Ford Expedition.  This SUV has some great features, and seats up to 8 people!  Also, this SUV is available in 16 different trims, which are listed below.

Ford Expeditions available: XLT 4×2, XLT 4×4, EL XLT 4×2, EL XLT 4×4, Eddie Bauer 4×2, Eddie Bauer 4×4, EL Eddie Bauer 4×2, EL Eddie Bauer 4×4, Limited 4×2, Limited 4×4, EL Limited 4×2, El Limited 4×4, King Ranch 4×2, King Ranch 4×4, EL King Ranch 4×2, EL King Ranch 4×4

MSRP : $35,085 – $50,740

Seating capacity : 8 people

Key features : 

- Applies to certain models only:

• 5 Star frontal crash test rating
• Roll stability control (RSC)
• Rear view camera
• Airbag coverage
• Reverse sensing system
• SYNC
• Rain-sensing wipers
• GPS
• V-8 engine
• Heated/cooled seats
• Power fold – 3rd row seating
• Big towing capacity

Gas mileage : 14/20

Awards won : No awards yet

News articles:

• Business Week
• ABC News

Videos:

• Kelley Blue Book
• Quick Drive

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Ford Explorers available: XLT 4.0 L, Limited 4.0 L

MSRP : $31,200 – $38,200

Seating capacity : 7 people

Key features : 

- Applies to certain models only:

• Roll stability control (RSC)
• Safety canopy system
• Intelligent safety system
• 5 Star crash test rating
• Power fold – 3rd row seating
• Auxiliary audio input jack
• SIRIUS Satellite radio
• DVD entertainment system
• Navigation system
• V-8 engine
• All-wheel drive

Gas mileage : 13/19

Awards won : No awards yet

News articles:

• Behind the Wheel
• Performance Review

Videos:

• Inside the Explorer
• Kelley Blue Book

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The Ferrari F430 is a one of a kind sports car.  It’s sleek style, and speed are more than enough to turn your head.  The F430 is a 2-door and 2-passenger luxury sports car, and/or convertible.  It is available in two different trims, which are listed below.

Ferrari F430s available: Coupe, Spider

MSRP : $186,925 – $217,310

Seating capacity : 2 people

Key features : 

- Applies to certain models only:

• V-8 engine berlinettas
• E-Diff
• Light and compact 4,308 cc engine
• 490 horsepower
• 0-100 km/h in 4 seconds
• Max speed 315 hm/h
• Outstanding aerodynamics

Gas mileage : N/A

Awards won : No awards yet

News articles:

• Forbes 1st drive
• Behind the wheel

Videos:

• Test drive
• Ferrari Spider

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