Maintenance

An old automatic transmission often starts slipping between shifts. This can be due to worn clutch discs or bands. If you're good at other car repairs, why not tackle and automatic transmission repair? A rebuild kit will set you back only a fraction the cost of a new or rebuilt transmission.

You'll probably need a day to pull the transmission (with help of an assistant), a day to take it apart, a day to inspect all the parts, a day to put it back together and a day to put it back in your car (with assistance again). If you've done this before, the time will be much less.

You'll also make a big mess with spilled transmission fluid so protect your garage floor with lots of newspaper and have lots of sawdust to soak up spills. You'll need lots of working surfaces to spread out all the parts in the order you remove them. A couple of cheap folding tables should do the trick if you need to improvise working surfaces. Finally, buy or borrow any special tools your manual calls for. If you're creative, you can probably improvise or even fabricate the special tools. Above all, be patient and attentive to detail when rebuilding an automatic transmission, and follow a good manual step by step.

Engine Performance
Get engine driveability problems (hard starts, rough idling, stalling, diminished power, etc.) corrected at a good repair shop. Cold weather makes existing problems worse. Replace dirty filters-air, fuel, PCV, etc.

Fuel
Put a bottle of fuel de-icer in your tank once a month to help keep moisture from freezing in the fuel line. Note that a gas tank which is kept filled helps keep moisture from forming.

Oil
Change your oil and oil filter as specified in your manual-more often (every 3,000 miles) if your driving is mostly stop-and-go or consists of frequent short trips.

Step One
Park the booster vehicle close to the one that needs to be jumped, but not so close that the vehicles are touching in any way. You'll want to use a good set of jumper cables with thick wire and clean clamps. As you are hooking up the jumper cables, make sure they don't dangle into either engine compartment where they could get caught on moving parts (belts, fan, etc.). Turn off the ignition of both vehicles, set the parking brakes, and make sure that they are in either "Park" or "Neutral" depending on whether the vehicles have an automatic or manual transmission. Also, turn off all accessories like lights, radio and, if the vehicles are in a safe area, the hazard flashers.

One of the best ways to maintain the resale value of your car is to keep the exterior in great shape. Here's a few suggestions to keep in mind when detailing your automobile:

1. Stock up on the right supplies. Before you begin working on your car's exterior, arm yourself with a supply of 100 percent cotton terry cloth towels, as well as foam applicator pads. They're ideal for the tasks ahead.

2. Choose the right auto-detailing products. Select products specially made for automotive surfaces. Dishwashing or laundry detergent and other household cleaning products are designed to cut grease and oils, meaning they can strip the wax off your vehicle's finish and possibly burn the paint.