V is for Vehicle Maintenance

V is for Vehicle Maintenance

When I was about 13 years old my Dad said to me that because I was going to be driving soon, I needed to learn how to change the oil on the vehicles.  In Alberta Canada you can begin driving with a fully licensed driver as a learner when you are 14 years old.  At this point in time we only had 3 vehicles.  Dad had his truck, mom had hers and there was the farm truck.  This began my work on vehicle maintenance.  During the peak of my teen years there were 7 vehicles at the house for my sister, myself and my parents.  I had plenty of opportunity to work on them.  We did not have a fully equipped garage, but we had basic tools so we did basic work.  There was plenty of opportunity to change oil and other filters.  After high school I worked out of town and commuted at least 130km per day so I was changing oil every 5-6 weeks (5000km) and I got really fast at it too.  My friend was over one day and he had worked in lube shop and he was impressed at how quick I was able to change the oil in my car (less than 20 minutes). 

During high school I worked at both Home Hardware and NAPA Auto Parts and I learned that with older cars vehicle maintenance it is very important to do regular oil changes.  It is probably the single most important thing to do.  I found a number of additives that helped out with the performance of my car.  We sold and recommended the Lucas Oil line of products; they are what I use even to this day.  I put the fuel additive into my vehicle the other day and I got a 12% gain in fuel efficiency. 

We have just purchased an older vehicle for my wife (2001 PT Cruiser) and it has some basic work that needs to be done.  I am thankful that I am able and knowledgeable to perform that work rather than pay someone $120/hr to do it.  So soon we will change out some signal lights, change the oil, change the battery, and change the air filter and some other work.  When we get to that work I will take some photos and post on that process.

Share with group some of the maintenance that you do on your vehicles.

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