I Live in Washington, DC un the USA. I have purchased a Volvo 240. Its a great car. I bought it from a Volvo Specialist. When I purchased it it had 147,500 K miles. Now t has 147 900 K. There's nothing wrong with the car except three minor things. The gearship light, its an Automatic, doesn't illuminate -it may be the light I opened it up but couldn't figure out how to change the bulb. The hoods latch has to be wiggled before it will release so the hood can be opened. And the Cigaretter Lighter doens't work. I learned this after I bouch a car adapter for the cell phone.


My questions suround preventative maintenance. I don't know much about cars and I live on a small street with no place to work on a car. Nearby is a Goodyear, a Meinekee, Midas, Pepboys, and and Firestone. Beyond the big chains their is a this place I found in the yellow pages, Capitol Hill Garage (http://www.capitolhillgarage.com/Services/). I would like to get the car chacked out in the spring. I live in a city and make short trips. I am concerned that the service and parts at the chain places may not be the best for my car. Has anyone here experience good service for those chains? I may use Captiol Hill Garage. There are two dealerships Don Byer and Maretenes but their shops are far out.


Any advice would be apreciated. The benefit of the chains is there price, but I actually like my car and want it to do well. Any advice would be help ful

The oil and filter, timing belt was changed at 147500 according tot he guy I bought it from. But since I do mainly city diving I should I get the oil and filter changed every three month regardless of hitting the 3,000-5,000 mile mark?