Quick Refernce Guide: Car Maintenance Basics!

Car Maintenance Basics: A Quick Reference Guide

Deneale K. Williams, Yahoo Contributor Network
Oct 18, 2007

Did you know there is more to keeping your car up and running than putting gasoline in it? Well, sadly there are some people - and they are not just women - who only put the fuel in it and nothing else. So allow me to give you a few tidbits, from a woman who was raised by a mechanic father and married a mechanic husband.

 

 

 

There are gauges on your car, in the dash board, in slang you may have heard them referred to as idiot lights. These lights are there for a reason. If your temperature light comes on, it does not mean to drive the car faster home. It means if you don't turn it off, within the next few minutes you risk blowing up the motor. If the oil light comes on, check the oil, and if the check engine light comes on, it certainly doesn't mean open the hood and make sure the engine is still there!

You should check your water or antifreeze in the engine, before starting your car for the first start of the day. This is when your car is cool, and you do not risk getting burnt, by water spraying out of the radiator. Check the radiator at least once a moth, depending on the issues your car has. This is your coolant system, and just as you get hot and thirsty, so does your car. If everything is in working order, your car should not be loosing its water or antifreeze. Also make sure that your over flow bottle is in working order, when checking this. If you are having issues with loosing fluids, carry with you- gallons of water. No need to waste costly antifreeze if your car is going through it, and loosing it somewhere. Simply get gallon size containers of water. And if you are loosing water, whether rapidly or slowly, it is advised that a long trip is not suggested. If you are having water issues, a good temporary fix is sometimes known as "Bars Leak." But obviously you have some sort of issue, so you will need to focus on getting this fixed and soon, or you will risk blowing up your motor.


There is also a way to check your transmission fluid. This is called a dipstick. It is usually in the back of the engine, and usually a longer stick then the oil. This you check while the vehicle is running, and sometimes have another person there to put the vehicle into drive and reverse. If the level of fluid says to add, then add. And cars use different types of transmission fluid. There is Dextron and Mercon, and many kinds too many to list, actually. If you must, read your cars manual or take your car to a parts store and ask, they can tell you the exact type your car requires. If the fluid is black, rather then red- your transmission is not in good shape. This is a sign of a transmission on its way out.

For oil there is also a stick to get a read. It doesn't require that your car to be on to check it. And "sometimes" you do not put the oil into the engine where the stick is, there will be a cap that "usually" says oil, (but every car is different) this is where you put the oil into. If it is a quart low, you can add. A lot of cars, do not turn on the oil lights until a little lower then a quart is needed. It does not hurt your car to run a quart low, so if it reads this on your way home, it is ok to continue your ride home. If it is lower then 1 quart, I suggest adding some.

(Meaning it needs two or more, to add right away!)

If you get no read on the rod, this is bad, and could mean that you need more then two quarts. Check this at least once a month. I honestly suggest biweekly on checking everything. I personally am very cautious, because engines are costly. There are different types of oil, 10 W 40, 20 W 50. These are the weights. The less the number the thinner the oil. For instance 20 W 50 is much thicker. Your owners' manual will tell you what type oil is best for your model car. If you don't have the book, again the parts store can lead you into the right direction. Newer cars advise not using the thick style oil, usually.
If your car is whining as you turn, this is the power steering. The unit is close to the front, around the alternator and fan shroud. Its measurement is its cap. It will tell you if you need to add. If when you go to check it, it is wet and messy, this is the signs of it going out, unless you actually know someone accidentally dumped fluids all over it. The whining is also a sign, if it persists and uses fluid quite frequently. Have someone also check the belts; there is also a risk that they might need tightened. If the stick in the lid says add, then do so. The bottles of power steering fluid come in all shapes and sizes.

With your car battery, be sure to look at it every so often and make sure that battery acid is not building on or around the posts. This corrupts both the connector and the battery, causing loss of connectivity.

With your car tires, the owners' manual will tell you the amount of air suggested to be put into the tires. You should keep a tire gauge in your car for these events, because not all air stations offer tire gauges to tell you how much air you have put into them. However, if you ever see metal string like pieces-like a fray, this is the steel belts and your tires are wearing thin. This means its time to get new tires. Or better used ones, depending on your financial condition. If you are having a tire leaking air, and haven't had the time to get a new one, or get to a tire shop, sometimes the fix a flat stuff is a good hold over. But most people, who can repair the tire with a plug or patch, will complain about you using it. It is because it makes for a very gunky mess inside the tire. Shrug it off; you did what you had to. Also always make sure that your spare tire has air as well. If you are checking your tires, check that one at the same time, as if you were using it to drive on. It still needs paid attention to. If you end up using a temporary tire, heed the rule of docking your speeds with that tire. Also start looking for a new tire, the temporary tires is not made for long wear and tear. Also be certain to have with you a four way,

(this is the X or cross shaped tool)

 in your trunk along with some kind of jack.

(Whether it is scissor jack, or a real floor jack)

be sure that those items are always in working order too.

The goal to owning a car, is knowing how to take care of it too. It is a machine, and just like you- it requires more then food. It requires loving care. Always be prepared. And just because your used car has frequent complications, this does not mean it is time to sell it, considering it your burden and lemon. As cars get older, they require more attention, and things break with regular wear and tear. This is normal. Just like you get worn out, and your shoes, and clothes, the same is with your car. Treat it like it is special, and that you will never ever be able to afford another.

When something is wrong, don't turn up the radio to ignore the new noise it is making. You can even take it to the auto parts store, and sometimes they can tell you, as they listen, and you describe what is happening-what they think it is. And don't be suckered in, by a mechanic saying if you change this, you have to change this too.
Do not play the idiot role, at least pretend to know what they are saying, because they will and can see right through you. That is why it is best to learn about cars, before you ever own one. This way when someone tries to pull the wool over your eyes, telling you when he changed the oil (something you should do every 3000 miles) that he (the mechanic) had to add halogen fluid to your head lights, and he had decided on his own to put a spare transmission in your car, because there are supposed to be two-that you don't believe everything you are being told! Instead, you go,

"Listen, there is no such thing as halogen fluid, what do I look like-a retard?!"

Your automobile is your best friend, your transportation to your work, friends house, and all around town! I hope that this helped, if you have any concerns or questions, feel free to contact me.
 
Disclaimer: I cannot be held responsible for any information you obtained from this article if it is incorrect for your automobile as all automobiles are different as technology changes. Always get your car fixed sooner than later, and when in doubt take it to a professional mechanic.

Published by Deneale K. Williams