A car needs weekly check ups for its good running. This is all it takes to make sure your car is in good shape. In fact it takes a little time to check the car every week rather than worrying about it.
A car uses several fluids which include coolant, oil, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid and power steering fluid. With time, these fluids evaporate or leak out. Make these checks every time when filling the gas tank. It is important to do them regularly.
They are mostly visual checks but tools might be needed for these checks. These checks can be performed almost anywhere. A wrench or pliers might be needed to open a power steering or brake fluid reservoir. An air pressure gauge might be needed to check pressure in the car's tires. For ensuring that the fluids are settled, the engine should not be running for the past half hour.
Check Oil Level
When the engine is off, the oil settles to the lowest spot in the engine. An oil pan stick or dipstick is installed on the engine for checking the level of the oil.
Take an old cloth to wipe the dipstick. When the engine is cool, open the car's hood and locate the dipstick. It has a curved handle. Pull it to remove it from the engine. Hold it away from your clothes.
At the bottom end of the dipstick, the word 'FULL' is marked. There is another word 'ADD' lower on the stick. Check if the highest point on the stick covered by oil. This point would be between FULL and ADD marks.
The oil level is okay if the edge of oil is above the ADD mark. If it is below then add oil without overfilling it. In many cars, the distance between ADD and FULL marks is about one quart of oil. Put one quart in if the oil mark is well below the ADD mark. Give it some time to settle and then recheck.
Keeping the Car Cool
An important fluid that keeps the car cool is the coolant. It is a mixture of water and antifreeze fluid that removes excess heat. It circulates all through the radiator where air flow cools the liquid.
For checking the radiator coolant level, make sure the engine is off and cool. Open the car's hood and locate the radiator. Look at the coolant reserve tank for two lines that identifies maximum and minimum levels. The highest level is between these two marks.
If the coolant is low, turn the radiator cap to relieve any pressure. Check the coolant level, if it is below the base of filler neck, then add the coolant and put back the radiator cap. Open the coolant reserve tank cap and add the coolant until the level is between the minimum and maximum marks. Then close the cap.
Check Brake Fluid Levels
Brakes are important part of the car. They use hydraulics to increase the pressure of the foot on the pedal for stopping the car. The Hydraulic systems use hydraulic fluid which is called brake fluid in this case.
For checking the brake fluid level, follow this guide:
Locate the master brake cylinder under the hood. Clean the top of the reservoir before opening. Then take out the cover from the master brake cylinder reservoir with a wrench. Check the level of brake fluid in the reservoir. The fluid should be just below the FULL mark on the inside of reservoir. Take a can of brake fluid as recommended by the manufacturer. Carefully add brake fluid until the level comes to about 1/4 inch under the top. Now put back the cap.
Check Power Steering Fluid Level
All cars don't have power steering but if the car has, check the power steering fluid level by following this guide: First, locate the power steering reservoir. They circulate or pump hydraulic fluid to help the car to easily steer. This pump is rotated by the fan belt. For checking this fluid, remove the cap of the reservoir. This task should be done carefully power steering fluid expands when hot. Power steering reservoir also has dipstick that are marked FULL HOT and FULL COLD. Check its level.
For adding power steering fluid, consult the car manual to know the proper recommended brand. The add fluid to the reservoir and fill it to the full mark without overfilling. It's done.
These were the main weekly checks. Just spare few minutes for your car and you will save a good amount of money and you will understand your car better.
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