Take Good Care Of Your Baby

When I look at a beautiful car, whether it is a restored roadster or a sleek, modern sports car, I can feel my heart skip a beat. I wonder what it is exactly as I study it, trying not to let it show that my knees have folded just a bit in my weakness. Is it the look? Is it, perhaps, the horsepower? Could it be the cost, which makes it a status symbol in our driven society?

If you love cars like I do, then you know exactly what I'm referring to - that consuming appreciation that defies explanation. It just IS. You just love them upon sight like you fell in love with each of your children the first time you held them - sure, you could try to explain biology and psychology, but if you talk to another parent, they just get it.

But the truth is, if you really "get it," you also understand that a car, that your baby, if you will, needs regular maintenance performed by a skilled professional, whether it is or isn't a rip-roarin' sports car like the one you drool over in your dreams.

Just about every average Joe with a driver's license knows he should regularly have his oil changed, but the word "regularly," alone leaves a lot of room for guesswork. You may have learned that it should be done every 3,000 miles, but the truth is that most cars can now run on at least 5,000 before a change is needed. To eliminate at least some of that guesswork, consult your vehicle's owner's manual.

Dealership mechanics are not the only ones that "specialize," in particular types of cars. When you need someone to check up on your baby for any reason, do your research. If you had strep throat, you wouldn't hire an orthopedic surgeon to treat you. That means you shouldn't take your Acura into a Volvo expert, nor would you consult a brake specialist about an issue with the differential.

There are some things you should have checked every so often. For example, the spark plugs should be inspected at least once a year. It's also a good idea to ensure that your suspension is operating as it should.

Get to know your car as best you can. Talk to owners of older models and have discussions with owners of the same car with more miles. As a general rule, you should follow the maintenance schedule associated with your car, but the more comprehensive your own knowledge, the more you will be able to recognize extras it just doesn't need.