Cars with manual transmissions should be left in neutral while parked. A parked car left in gear may sustain a chipped transmission gear tooth if it is bumped by another car. Over tightening the lug nuts on your wheels Though it sounds trivial, improperly tightened lug nuts or bolts represent a big source of trouble for car owners. Too much lug-nut torque and your brake rotors will warp and cause your brake pedal to pulsate. Too loose, and your wheels will not be securely attached.
Many mechanics tighten lug nuts with air wrenches, which are notorious for over tightening.
Get your own torque wrench. Every time your wheels are removed for maintenance, use the wrench to check the torque readings on your lug nuts against your owner s manual or the specs from your tire dealer. Manuals typically say nothing about brake fluid, which should be changed once every two years or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first. Brake fluid in anti-lock systems should be changed annually. Power-steering fluid should be changed every three years or 30,000 miles, whichever comes first.