Important Facts about Vehicle Maintenance
Properly maintained Pick-Up will be more dependable, safer, last longer, and increase your satisfaction with the product. The owners also have a responsibility towards our environment and make sure emission controls receive due importance. Regular service and regular maintenance helps accomplish these goals by keeping your engine running efficiently and eliminating potential problems that may leave you spending more and stranded.
It pays you back if you maintain your vehicle.
- More Dependable vehicle
- Less chance of a costly breakdown
- A safer vehicle for you and your cargo
- Cleaner and environment friendly vehicle
- Higher resale value at the time of trade in or sale
- An intact warranty
Manufacturer Maintenance Schedules
Mahindra has a prescribed maintenance schedules outlining specific operations to be performed on various components and systems. This is done at different mileage intervals to ensure proper operation and prevent premature wear. Mahindra also indicates what services must be done regularly at their authorized dealers/service centers to maintain the factory warranty and extended warranty.
Fixing Your Present Vehicle Saves Money.
High Mileage Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance
Mahindra intends to offer their customers the most value for money product range. One of the best ways to do this is extending the life of your vehicle vehicle. Money invested in keeping your existing vehicle in good shape could save you hundreds--even thousands--of rupees a year. When you consider the true cost of buying a vehicle (price of the car, sales tax, and registration fees, insurance), it is not difficult to justify investing a few hundred rupees to repair your present vehicle. Get your Mahindra Pick-Up periodically checked by our authorized dealer or service centers.
Safety and Scheduled Maintenance
The safety aspect of properly maintaining your vehicle, especially when it has high mileage, should not be overlooked. Failing brakes and other problems can be prevented by following Vehicle Preventive Maintenance & care practices.
High Mileage Inspection and Evaluation
If your vehicle has passed the 100,000 mile mark and you want to significantly prolong its useful life, it is time to have it thoroughly evaluated by a Mahindra trained technician who can recommend needed repairs or service. Our dealer's facilities are equipped to perform this service. Our technicians who use factory-level information detailing your vehicle's service requirements.
Our high mileage inspection and evaluation goes beyond cursory "once-overs" and is designed to get to the root of potential problems. Ask one of our dealer's service advisor to show you exactly what is involved in this service. He will be happy to go over the evaluation form with you before you okay the inspection and provide you with a comprehensive estimate for any work recommended as a result of your vehicle's checkup.They will tell you about repairs that are necessary today, and also alert you to items that are potential problem areas you may want to address today for more trouble-free miles tomorrow. Naturally, you make the decision as to what work is actually performed.
Working together, we can add years to the life of your car or truck.
Recommendations for changing filters
It is best to follow the Service maintenance schedules found in most new car owner's manuals, with a few exceptions:
- Air filters need to be inspected regularly and replaced as often as needed, regardless of mileage or time. Dirty air filters can increase fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.
- Fuel filters should be replaced as per our recommended schedule. If the tank is dirty or rusty, constant fuel recirculation can pick up a lot of debris that ends up in the filter. If the filter plugs, the engine is starved for fuel or unfiltered fuel is allowed to bypass the filter. The latter can damage injectors.
- Transmission Oil: Owners' manuals have a suggested change interval for the transmission fluids and should be followed.
Cooling System
Replacing coolant on a regular basis will prolong the life of the radiator and other cooling system components.
Whenever a fluid comes in contact with metal, electrochemical degradation occurs, resulting in a higher than normal level of acid. This higher acid level, if left unchanged, can result in costly repairs.Regular change helps reduceing the acid level and extends the life of key cooling system parts like the water pump, radiator, hoses, heater core, and more. When coolant is changed, the system should be reverse flushed rather than simply drained. This helps dislodge and remove accumulated debris and debris in the system. It also removes old coolant that would otherwise remain in the engine block.
Brake Fluid
Brake fluid, just like any other fluid in your vehicle, needs to be tested every year and replaced at least every 2 years. The main problem with brake fluid is that it absorbs moisture (hygroscopic) from the air. This reduces the boiling point of the brake fluid, causing the fluid to boil under heavy braking, affecting hydraulic operation of the brake system. This results in a spongy brake pedal and reduced braking effectiveness. See your owner's manual for more information.
Other Preventive Maintenance Tips
- Inspect windshield wiper blades for cracks, tears and windshield smearing.
- Check tire inflation weekly. Under inflated tires waste fuel and cause uneven tire wear.
Under inflated tires can lead to tire overheating and complete tire failure.
- Inspect drive belts every time the oil is changed and replace when they show any signs of cracking or wear.
- Check battery cables and connections for corrosion and clean if needed.
- Check all vehicle lights, including headlights, brake lights, turn signals, parking lights, license plate lights and marker lights.
Aggressive Driving
When you drive aggressively you are not only a risk to the safety of others on the road but also to yourself. But what exactly is aggressive driving? Take a look at the following examples. But understand this list may not cover every act of aggressive driving. The only thing you have to remember is to drive in a manner that is safe to one and all.
- Speeding
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Tailgating
- Passing on the shoulder of the road
- Cutting off another vehicle
- Slamming on brakes in front of a tailgater
- Improper hand or facial gestures at other drivers
- Yelling
- Repeatedly honking the horn
- Repeatedly flashing of headlights
Also if you encounter an angry or aggressive motorist -
- Do not retaliate or in any way engage the other driver. Get out of the way.
- Do not make eye contact.
- Keep enough space between you and the vehicle in front of you to pull out from behind.
- Do not underestimate the other driver's potential for aggression.
Anyone can become an aggressive driver. Do not let stress and frustration get the best of you while driving. Be patient and courteous. Do not drive when angry, overtired or upset. Allow extra time to get to your destination. Listen to relaxing music. Give other drivers the benefit of the doubt - all drivers make mistakes. Avoid all conflict, even if you are right.
ALERT DRIVING
You must concentrate on the road and drive defensively. Avoid distractions.
Concentration: You must be focused if you want to drive safely. You should be rested, calm and
not under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. One of the greatest hazards of roadway driving is drowsiness or "highway hypnosis". Lack of sleep or fatigue affects your ability to safely drive your vehicle. When taking a long trip, avoid drowsiness by stopping frequently to drink coffee, exercise or nap. Exercise your eyes by reading road signs or shifting the focus of your eyes to different parts of the roadway. Make sure you are properly rested.
Defensive Driving : Plan ahead for the unexpected. Always be prepared to react to the other driver. Do not expect the other driver to do what you think he or she should do. Do not think you know what he or she is going to do. If you cannot avoid a crash, remain calm and try to choose the least dangerous situation. For example, running into a ditch is less dangerous than a head-on collision. Also, your chances of survival are greater if your vehicle is in good mechanical condition.
VEHICLE SPEED
Minimum & Maximum Speeds: Driving too fast or too slow may create a dangerous situation. Regardless of the posted speed limit, weather and traffic conditions may make it necessary to drive more slowly. However, driving too slowly also can be dangerous. Your speed should be adjusted for the conditions and match the flow of traffic, as long as it does not surpass the maximum posted speed.
WEATHER CONDITIONS
Weather can create a driving hazard. Special care must be taken in fog, rain, high winds and winter driving conditions.
Rain: When rain begins to
fall lightly, water, dust, oil and leaves cause the roadway to become slippery. When this happens, increase your following distance. Take special care on curves and turns and while braking.
Your headlights must be on when operating your wipers. Parking lights are not acceptable.
When rain begins to
fall heavily, your tires may "hydroplane". This means the tires are
riding on a layer of water and not on the roadway. Avoid hydroplaning by slowing down. If you skid while hydroplaning, try to regain control of the vehicle. Otherwise, release the accelerator and ride out the skid.
Winter Driving : Winter is the most difficult driving season due to many reasons, including lower temperatures, poor visibility and fewer daylight hours.
Drive slower and increase your following distance.
- Clear all windows, and do not start driving until your windshield is defrosted and clear and that your headlights and taillights are visible.
- Be sure your vehicle is maintained properly. Lights, brakes, windshield wipers, defrosters, and other parts should be in good working order.
Special Driving Situations
DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS: Be especially alert when driving on highways. Speed and traffic are major concerns:
Check your rearview and side mirrors before changing lanes.
- Use your turn signals when making lane changes.
- Go to the next exit if you missed yours. Backing up on highways is against the law.
- Do not follow too closely. Allow plenty of distance between you and the car ahead.
- Do not stop on the highway. Pull off the road if you have a problem. Lift your car's hood and turn on your hazard flashers. Do not walk along the expressway.
NIGHT DRIVING: Night driving is difficult because things may appear differently than in daylight. Also, glare from lights may interfere with vision. Courtesy and common sense should be used when driving at night.
- Never overdrive your headlights. Always keep them clean and aimed properly. Use them at dusk and dawn. Bright lights must be dimmed 500 ft. before meeting an oncoming vehicle or 300 ft. before passing a vehicle.
- If street lights cause a lot of glare, dim your dashboard lights and use your sun visor. Avoid using any other light inside your vehicle.
- Roadway signs are more difficult to see at night.
- Use edge lines and center lines of the roadway as guides.
- Do not stop on the roadway. If you must stop, locate the reflective triangle (supplied along with tool kit) 50 meters away from the car to caution the approaching traffic.
FIRE: If smoke appears, pull off the road. Turn off the engine, move away from the vehicle and call the fire department. Vehicle fires can be very dangerous. Do not fight the fire yourself.
WATER ACCIDENTS: If your vehicle runs off the roadway into water but does not sink right away, try to escape through a window. Because of differences in water pressure, you may not be able to open your car door. If your vehicle does sink, move to the back seat area where an air pocket usually forms. Take a deep breath and exit from a rear window.
CELLULAR PHONE USAGE: When using your cellular phone while driving, always remember your number one responsibility is driving. If you do use a cellular phone, take the following precautions:
- Always assess traffic conditions before calling.
- Be familiar with the phone's keypad - use speed dial if possible.
- Place calls when stopped, or have a passenger dial.
- Ensure phone is within easy reach.
- Use speaker phone/hands-free device.
- Avoid intense, emotional or complicated conversations.
- Avoid talking on phone in congested traffic or bad weather.
- Pull off road to dial or complete a conversation.
