Unit 8. Car Maintenance and Repair

Section A. Preventive Maintenance

I. Scan the text about car paint repair to find answers to these questions.

1. What maintenance is important to keep your car safe?
2. What is important to keep the engine in a good condition?
3. What is the function of the air filter?
4. What does a blocked filter decrease?
5. What actions can save you from costly repairs?

Preventive maintenance is important to keep your car safe. With proper care your car will last longer and some of the possible problems can be avoided.

A well-maintained car is not only safer but it is also more economical and produces less pollution. Servicing your car regularly you prevent it from becoming unreliable.

If you are a poor mechanic stopping at service stations periodically you will save your time and money. Regular oil changes are very important to keep your engine in a good condition. And don’t forget about the air filter. Its function is to remove particles of dirt, dust and other impurities from the air passing to the carburettor. A blocked filter decreases the airflow to the carburettor and increases the amount of fuel in the mixture. This causes the engine to operate inefficiently. Cleaning and changing filters regularly you prevent a considerable damage to cylinders of the engine.

Avoid overtaking the engine. Changing spark plugs, your air filter, oil filter, timing belt and other items according to maintenance schedule will save you from costly repairs.

II. Read the text “How to Avoid Car Problems” and say why it is important to follow these recommendations.

How to Avoid Car Problems

An automobile service company recommends the following interval services for all cars. They include most of the items listed below.

Every 3,000 miles:

• Change oil
• New quality oil filter
• Lubricatechassis (when available)
• Inspect wiper blades
• Check the windscreen fluid level
• Check the coolant condition
• Check the brake fluid condition and level
• Check the steering fluid level and condition
• Check the transmission fluid level and condition
• Check the tyre pressure, front and rear
• Check the tyre wear and condition, front and rear
• Check the air filter
• Visually inspect the exhaust system (manifold and heat shields, the muffler, and the exhaust pipes)
• Visually inspect the shocks and struts
• Visually inspect the universal joints
• Visually inspect the oil, coolant, transmission, steering, differential and transfer case for fluid leaks
• Visually inspect the battery connections and cables
• Visually inspect the belt condition and adjustment
• Visually inspect the radiator and heater hose condition
• Check the brake pedal adjustment
• Check the emergency brake adjustment
• Check the clutch adjustment

Every 15,000 miles:

• All of the services at 3,000 miles, plus:
• Replace the cabin or passenger compartment air filter
• Rotate tyres
• Inspect the brakes: the brake lines and hoses, disc and drum systems check and adjust the parking brake
• Lubricate and inspect the shift linkage
• Lubricate and inspect the steering linkage
• Lubricate and inspect thethrottle linkage
• Adjust the clutch, as required
• Check the clutch reservoir fluid condition and level
• Inspect the power steering lines, steering gear, linkage and drive shafts
• Inspect the front and rear suspension system
• Check the lights and horn for proper operation:

Every 30,000 miles:

• All of the services at 15,000 miles, plus:
• Automatic transmission service
• Battery service, including remove, clean and lubricate the battery cables, and install battery pads
• Visually inspect the fuel lines and connections
• Replace the fuel filter
• Inspect the spark plugs
• Inspect theEGR system
• Inspect the emissions filter
• Visually inspect the ignition wiring
• Visually inspect the vacuum lines
• Inspect operation of the heater
• Inspect operation of the air conditioner
• Inspect operation of the windscreen washers

III Read the dialogue.

• Hello, Alex. I haven’t seen you for ages. How are you?
• Hello, Peter. I’m fine, thanks. I’m glad to meet you very much. You see, I’ve bought a car, a second-hand Ford, not very old and in a good condition. But today it doesn’t start.
• What’s wrong with your car?
• I don’t know yet. I can’t trace the fault. And if I’m not mistaken, you, Alex, are a driver of long standing. Can you help me with my car?
• Sure. Let me have a look at your car right now. We should check three things first: the battery, the fuel level and the spark plugs. It’s easy to repair these faults. By the way, when did you have your plugs checked?
• Last week when I filled my car at the petrol station.
• Well, have a look at the petrol gauge once more.
• All right. The tank is half full. It must be another fault.
• You are right. Your engine is misfiring. I guess the battery has run down. It needs recharging.
• It’s awful! My car must be in order as soon as possible. I have to drive a lot in my business.
• Don’t get upset. It won't take you long to have your battery recharged. There is a good service station in 10 minutes drive from here not far from the MacDonald restaurant. Do you know the place?
• I think so. Thank you for your help.
• Don’t mention it. You’re welcome.

Section B. Car Paint Repair

1. What do car painters do?
2. What do you know about scratches effects on a car?
3. What can be easily fixed with touch-up pens?
4. When will you need to buy a spray gun?
5. What is the best weather for car painting?
6. Why should you observe all recommendations for car painting?

Car painters repair car bodywork. They apply prime coats and repair paint surfaces. They know the standard chassis, motor and electrical device constructions and are able to carry out basic maintenance work.

Car painters remove, mark out and replace vehicle body parts, prepare vehicle surfaces, treat the vehicle with protection chemicals, apply prime coats and remove rust. They use workshop tools such as sanding machines and know different sanding techniques and materials, fillers, primers and rustproofing chemicals, insulating, and filling paints.

No scratch is the same; each scratch differs in size and depth. Depending on how deep the scratch is, you will use different car paint repair techniques. There are 4 layers that the scratch can go into: the first is a clear coat, the second is the paint, the third is the primer and the fourth is the metal. Most scratches penetrate only the clear coat leaving remaining layers intact. These scratches can be easily removed with a little sanding, some buffingand waxing.

Small chips and scratches can be easily fixed with touch-up pens. Long and medium size scratches can be brushed with paint. Large areas can be fixed by using spray cans. If you are planning on re-painting a whole car or one of the auto body parts, you will need to buy larger quantities of paint and a spray gun.

No matter what touch-up paint you choose, make sure it is of a good quality. Because even if you do everything right, a cheap low quality paint will not give you the professional result you are looking for.

Remember that the best weather for car painting is 50% humidity. Avoid painting in the direct sun and in the windy conditions. Temperatures above 80F (26°C) and below 55F (13°C) can compromise your paint job. Since all areas have different weather, try to get to the recommended conditions as close as you can. During cold winter, it is a good idea to use a heated garage.

Morozova О.N., Ilina I.Y.

Тамбов
2015