Taking care of your car regularly can prevent expensive repairs in the future. We have some tips to keep your car healthy and running its best. These quick and easy checks will also save you money on repair bills during your annual service.
1. Check your car's engine oil at least once a month
Regularly inspecting your car's engine oil levels is a critical part of car maintenance, as it can help prevent costly repairs in the long run. Failing to regularly monitor your vehicle's oil levels can cause significant damage to your engine, ultimately costing you a substantial amount of money to repair. To ensure you are properly checking the oil, here are a few instructions to follow. Firstly, park your car on a level surface, preferably on a driveway or in a parking lot. Next, start the engine and allow it to run for a few minutes. After that, turn off the engine and let it sit for a few seconds. Once this is done, proceed to extract the dipstick and wipe it off using a clean cloth or a paper towel. After cleaning it, dip the stick back in and remove it immediately to examine the oil level. Ideally, the oil level should be between the high and low marks on the dipstick. If the oil is low, add more oil without delay, ensuring that you use the oil specified in your owner’s manual. Remember, never attempt to start an engine without oil on the dipstick, as this could lead to severe engine damage.
2. Check transmission and power steering fluids
Your car is a valuable asset that serves you in many ways. To keep it well-maintained, it is essential to keep an eye on its various fluid levels. The fluids are responsible for lubricating, cooling, and cleaning the various components of the car. Among these, the transmission and power steering fluids are critical. They ensure smooth shifting between gears and maintain the car's steering system's functionality. Low levels of these fluids can indicate a more significant problem that requires immediate attention from a trained mechanic. To ensure that you are checking these fluids correctly, you should read your car's owner's manual carefully. With these precautions, you can avoid potential damages to the car, save money on costly repairs and enjoy a safer and smoother driving experience.
3. Check the radiator and cooling system
To check your car's radiator and cooling system, you should first make sure the engine is not hot and wait for it to cool down. You can look at the plastic overflow bottle to see if the coolant level is between the high and low marks. If it's low, you can add more coolant recommended by the vehicle manufacturer or call for help. You should inspect the hoses, pipes, fuel lines, and power steering or brake pipes for leaks or damage. Any hoses that are soft, kinked, swollen, or cracked need to be replaced by a professional mechanic. If your car is regularly losing coolant, it could mean a bigger problem that needs to be checked by a professional.
4. Check car battery
If you want to check your car battery, you should be careful. Batteries can be dangerous because they can make explosive gas and have fluid inside that can harm your skin, eyes, clothing or the car's paint. Checking the battery every so often can prevent unexpected flat batteries. To check if the battery is working well, remove the caps if the battery has them, and see if the fluid level covers the plates. If the level is low, use distilled water to top it up, but don't add too much. Make sure the caps are back on and the clamps are tightly fixed to the battery terminals. The top of the battery should be clean and dry, and the terminals should not have corrosion. If the car takes longer than normal to start, or you haven't changed the battery for a long time, you can buy a battery charger. If you have any problems with your battery, you can call Quick Start Mobile Mechanics to get help.
5. Keep an eye out for warnings
It's important to be aware of the signs that indicate your car may need maintenance beyond just relying on the dashboard warning lights. While these warnings are certainly helpful, they may not always capture all of the issues that can arise with your vehicle. If you have any doubts or concerns, you can always reach out to the knowledgeable team at Quick Start Mobile Mechanics for guidance. It's crucial to take swift action if you notice any of the following: a warning light on your dashboard remains illuminated, you experience vibrations that seem out of the ordinary, the temperature gauge registers as hot, there are any unusual sounds coming from the vehicle, the oil pressure gauge indicates low pressure, your car veers off to one side, or if your brakes feel off. Additionally, be sure to call u out for an inspection if you notice it consuming more fuel or oil than usual, having trouble starting, running poorly, leaving oil or coolant stains on your driveway, or emitting a smoky exhaust.
