![]() ![]() Either one will impact the flow of electricity and the operation of your vehicle. You’re looking for signs of corrosion or loose connections. Sometimes, like ours, they are covered with a protective rubber casing that you have to pull back. While you’re under the hood checking the transmission fluid, go ahead and check the cables connected to the battery. The process to check is the same: pull it out, wipe it clean, reinsert, pull out and check. In fact, if you don’t know much about cars, it’s easy to confuse the two dipsticks. Check Automatic Transmission FluidĬhecking the automatic transmission fluid is similar to checking your engine oil. What good is putting nice, clean oil in your vehicle if it has to travel through a dirty filter clogged with old oil? Each time you change your oil (or have it changed), you should also replace the oil filter. And as long as you’re checking and filling all of your own fluids, a routine oil change is usually inexpensive. You can do this yourself, but if you have a car that sits low to the ground it can be a pain. Every 3 Months (3-5k Miles) Change Engine Oil It only takes a minute to lift up your wipers and inspect the blades for damage or debris that will interfere with their windshield wiping efficiency. To demonstrate, I enlisted the help of my 16-year old daughter who gets her license in a few weeks. It only takes a few minutes to check everything and once you know where to look and what to look for, it’s so easy that even a novice teen driver can do it without assistance. MonthlyĮach month you should check fluid levels and general condition of the car, like if you need to remove water spots from car. Important Note: You should always consult your vehicle’s owner manual for maintenance guidelines specific to your vehicle. The recommendations within this post are GENERAL guidelines. He made sure I, and our teen drivers, know how to perform all of the routine maintenance to: 1) save money and 2) help us understand how our vehicles function. He has always been good about making sure we do routine checks and maintenance on all of our vehicles to ward off expensive repairs or unexpected car trouble down the road (Haha! Double entendre. Crossing the threads at this point could be expensive and time-consuming.I wish I could take credit for the condition of our vehicles, but the truth is my family has my husband to thank. When you refit, ensure you turn the filter to tighten it gently and smoothly, having put a smear of oil on the O-ring seal. You’ll then need to swap the filter, which may require a specific tool or a large socket, so check you have everything you need before starting. Refit the plug and tighten it to the manufacturer’s recommended torque setting using a torque wrench. You’ll need to discard the old oil correctly at a household recycling centre, never down the drain. Place an oil drip tray underneath and remove the plug using the correct size socket to allow the old oil to flow out. Locate the sump plug, a bolt that’s usually located at the lowest point of the engine. Jack up your car and rest it on axle stands in the locations outlined in the owner’s manual never work under a car that’s only supported by a jack. To change your oil, run the car to warm, but not hot. Even so, some main dealer parts departments offer surprisingly good deals on lubricants and oil filters it is always worth enquiring. Buying branded oil from a motor factor could save you money while not scrimping on quality. The biggest challenge is selecting the correct oil, so never deviate from the manufacturer’s specifications. ![]() Regular oil and filter changes remain vital to engine longevity. But, some vehicles (notably, certain Mercedes models) require diagnostic equipment to calibrate the engine computer afterwards, so check precisely what your car needs before starting work. You’ll need to locate the airbox, prise off the clips with a screwdriver, lift out the old filter and drop the new one back in. Ten minutes and a screwdriver may be all you need. Perhaps the easiest DIY task is replacing an air filter, which can reduce fuel consumption. EVs and hybrids require specialist attention due to their potentially lethal high-voltage systems. Even so, you should research your vehicle’s needs carefully and be honest about your capabilities. Modern cars can still be serviced from home by more experienced owners. ![]() Tackling more advanced car servicing yourself ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |