How to Perform Proper Car Maintenance






By N2H

How to Perform Proper Car Maintenance

When you speak of car maintenance, there’s only one basic thing you need to remember: check. In fact, this must be your very first action. After all, how can you confirm that your car is definitely having troubles if not through checking, right?

These are some basic steps on how you can further rev up your car’s performance with excellent car maintenance:

Checking Transmission Fluid

Put your auto in a flat surface and go for a parking brake. Then turn on the engine. The transmission shifter should then be set to Park (P) position and left the engine idle. With the help of the car’s manual, locate where the transmission dipstick is and then pull it. Clean it with a no-lint clean rag. Then return it to its place carefully.

Pull the dipstick again and observe the fuel level. Should the engine be cold, it must be in the “Cold” marks. If it’s totally warmed up, such as when it’s driven, the level should be in the “Hot” mark, in the upper end. You also need to check its fluid condition. If its smells burnt or appears dirty and black, there’s a possibility that your transmission will not last longer than you may expect. After all, transmission fluid in good condition is usually transparent and clean. The new fluid too may be in red, and as time passes it can turn to brown. When this time comes, it’s advisable to go back to your manual and then perhaps change the transmission fluid. Ideally, transmission fluids must be changed every time you cover 30,000 to 50,000 miles.

Checking the Engine Oil

Place your car first at a flat surface and then stop the engine. You must allow the engine oil to go down to the oil pan. Pull the dipstick. If you aren’t sure where it’s found, you can refer to your manual, though it is normally a shiny handle with the words “engine oil.” Clean it with a tissue or a rag, then place it back into its place.

Remove the dipstick and verify the oil level. Normally, it’s in a “Full mark.” You also need to check the condition of the oil. You need to change it if it looks too black. If it appears off white, it implies that there is a mixture of the engine’s coolant and oil due to some internal problems in the engine, such as a damaged head gasket. Should this happen, bring your car to a repair shop.

Checking Engine Coolant

When the engine coolant level is low, the car’s engine is prone to overheating, which may spell some serious damage later on.

On the average, the engine coolant must be hitting either the “Low” or Full” marks. If it hits the former, you need to top it up. Else, if it implies that there’s no coolant or that you have been topping it all too often, you need to bring it to a car garage since there might be some leaks in the coolant. A great warning, though. Do not attempt to open the overflow tank of the coolant if the engine is hot.

Basic ideas on how to take care of your car saves you some paying too much labor. Moreover, you are taught how to be self-reliant.

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