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Car
Maintenance |
Learn and practice some basic car maintenance and
your car will love you for it.
As soon as you feel there is something wrong with your car like
any kind of irregular noise, vibration, shimmer, or you note
some leak or any warning light comes on while driving or
anything that seems to be irregular - have your car inspected at
a dealer or a garage as soon as you can - it might be unsafe to
drive. It's definitely better to check any small problem before
it will cause something serious.
For your safety, we recommend to have your car inspected
regularly, at least once a year, by a mechanic. I mean not just
visual inspection by one of the fast lube places, but a mechanic
that can lift your car and check major components such as
brakes, suspension, etc., while having your tires rotated, for
example. This is because many components (e.g ball joints), can
not be inspected visually. |
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| How to Check
Engine Oil |
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Place your car at the level
spot. Stop the engine. Wait for a while to let
the engine oil to pour down to the oil pan. Pull
the engine oil dipstick. If you don't know where
is the engine oil dipstick, check your owner's
manual, usually it has a bright handle saying
"engine oil". |
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Wipe it off with a clean rag
or tissue. Then insert it back all the way down
into its place. |
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Now, pull the dipstick again
and check the oil level. Normally it should be
at "FULL" mark. For example, here you can see
that it's a bit lower. It's not a big problem
yet, but it's better to top it up. Check the oil
condition: If it's way too black, it's
definitely time to change it. If it's
slightly-brown, it's O.K. If it's dark-brown,
but still transparent, it's admissible but it's
better to change it soon.
If it's white (coffee with milk color) it means
the engine coolant mixes with the engine oil
because of some internal engine problem, for
example, blown head gasket - have your car
inspected. |
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How To Top Up The Engine Oil |
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It would be better to add the same
type and brand of the engine oil as you already have in
the engine. Add a little amount of the oil as it's shown
in the image. Wait for a minute to let the oil to pour
down. Check the oil level again with the dipstick. If
it's still low, add some more. But don't overfill it.
Don't forget to install the dipstick back and close the
oil filler cap when you finished. |
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How
To Check Automatic Transmission Fluid |
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Place your car at a level surface and
engage the parking brake. Start the engine. Set
transmission shifter in "P" (Park) position, and let the
engine idle (on some cars this procedure may be
different, check the owners' manual for details). Pull
the transmission dipstick. Check your owners manual to
find where transmission dipstick is located in your car. |
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Wipe it off with a clean lint free
rag. Then insert it back carefully all the way down into
its place. |
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Pull again and check the fluid level.
If the engine is cold, it should be within "COLD" marks.
If the car was driven and is fully warmed up, the level
should be at the upper end of the "HOT" mark. If it's
just a little bit lower I wouldn't worry about it.
Otherwise I'd top it up. Check the fluid condition also:
If it's too black and dirty with burnt smell - your
transmission is not going to last. Normally it should be
clean and transparent, as in the image. The new fluid
comes red. Over the time it becomes brownish. If it is
brown, check your owner's manual, may be it's time to
change it. Some manufacturers require to change the
transmission fluid at 30,000 or 50,000 miles others
specify that you never have to change it - check what's
your car owner's manual says. |
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How
To Top Up The Transmission Fluid |
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It's very important to use only
specified transmission fluid - check your owners manual
or simply visit your local dealer, they always have
proper transmission fluid in stock. Incorrect
transmission fluid can even destroy the transmission.
Add a small amount of the fluid through the dipstick
pipe as shown in the image. Wait for a few minutes - let
the fluid to flow down. Recheck the level again. Do not
overfill, it also may cause problems with your
transmission. |
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How To Change your Engine Coolant |
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Low coolant level will cause engine
overheating, which may cause serious damage to the
engine.
How to check the engine coolant level:
The coolant level should be between "LOW" and "FULL"
marks in the coolant overflow tank as in the picture. If
it's lower, top it up. If there is no coolant in
overflow tank or you have to top it up quite often, have
your car inspected in the garage, possibly there is a
coolant leak.
Never open the radiator or coolant overflow tank when
the engine is hot.
When engine temperature is reduced (few minutes after
the engine has been turned off) , simply add a coolant
into the overflow tank to "FULL" mark. |
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How To Check Your Tires |
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Check the tire pressure regularly -
at least once a month. If you don't have tire pressure
gauge it's really worth to buy it. You can find
recommended tire pressure in the owner's manual or on
the tire pressure placard. The maximum pressure listed
on tires is NOT the proper pressure! Refer to the
owner's manual
Rotate tires at every second oil change - it will insure
all tires wear equally. Feel vibration at cruising
speed? - have your tires balanced. There is a safe limit
of the tread wear. If the tire is worn below this limit
it's unsafe to drive. Refer to the result of mechanical
inspection. Uneven tire wear indicates alignment
problem.
Improper alignment causes increased tire and suspension
components wear and poor handling. In worst case
improper alignment may throw your car into a skid,
especially on a wet road. If a car pulls aside, wanders
or feels unstable on the road, have the alignment
checked. Properly done alignment will make your car's
ride a lot more enjoyable. |
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