Trailquest Presents ...
. . . vehicle maintenance tips . . . |
COMING SOON .. ON-LINE SHOPPING
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| An ounce of Prevention is worth a pound of Cure |
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 When you're finished playing in
the mud, or simply taking your vehicle on back roads, a little care will go a long way in keeping your 4x4 happy.
 Besides obvious, like washing off your
winch and reconnecting your swaybar disconnects, there are a few
basic things you should do as soon as possible to avoid future problems:
 Hose the engine off. If possible, use a
high-pressure hose, like those available at your local do-it-yourself carwash. Engine parts such as belts, flywheels, the inside of the alternator,
etc. - which don't like being coated with dried mud and dirt.
 Hose the wheels out. Dried mud and dirt accumulate
inside the wheel housing which not only puts extra stress on your brakes, but, may also cause heavy vibration at highway speeds.
Make sure your engine has been running long enough
to recharge the battery, especially if you've been using overhead lights, a winch, or other devices which put a heavy burden on the battery.
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| HEAT INCREASES SALT CORROSION |
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A 1992 Cornell University study
shows that most rust action is the result of road salt, and it is 20 to 30 times greater in Spring than in Winter. The primary reason being that
rising temperatures, like humidity, trigger salt induced oxidation. Cornell researchers also recommend keeping vehicles out of heated garages during
the Winter, because heat increases salt corrosion.
If you live in the Salt Belt, you should wash
your car at least once every week during salt-use periods (even if your car is rust protected). What counts the most is washing the underside,
especially under fender wells and other enclosed areas such as doors. Paint doesn't rust, but the metal behind it does. If you use a commercial
car wash, ask if the facility uses fresh or recycled water. The Cornell team found that recycled water often contains significant amounts of road
salt.
Another reason to wash the underside weekly is to
avoid salt corrosion on the electrical wiring and connections of your vehicle. If salt gets into the wiring via cracked insulation or a bad
electrical plug, corrosion inhibits the electrical flow and causes a component or circuit to malfunction.
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| REGULAR MAINTENANCE |
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Even infrequent off-road driving can
take its toll on your vehicle and regular maintenance is a must. Muddy or dusty conditions warrant more frequent oil and oil filter changes, even if
you use synthetic oil. Check the air filter, the PCV valve, your brake linings, and other "consumables" more frequently. Crawl under your
vehicle and look for signs of damage on the chassis and undercarriage, and check for lose bolts and connections.
TJ's have skid plates protecting the fuel tank and transfer case, but mud can easily build up on top of the skid plate.
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| DON'T FORGET THE LITTLE THINGS |
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Armor-All or silicone protectant
will keep the bumpers, fender flares, and anything else that's black plastic or vinyl from fading and cracking. The fender flares will almost
turn white with enough sunlight and too little Armor-All. We also suggest Westley's Silicone Tire Spray (sprayed lightly and rubbed in with a
cloth) on the soft top to keep it pliable and UV-safe.
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| WINTER STORAGE |
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If you store your vehicle in the winter, The Tech Guys tell you what points to consider when winterizing your car.
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| WINTER FUN |
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Land Rover owners meet on February 15-18, 2008 in Benton, Maine for the annual Winter Romp. The event has a list of recommended equipment to make offroading in the snow a fun experience. No whining allowed!
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