Essential Car Checks Everyone Should Know How to Do

Owning a car means you need to prepare for certain expenses. Other than the amount you’re going to spend buying the car, you need to have funds for the car’s maintenance and repairs. Keeping your car well-maintained means you get to operate the vehicle safely. You can reduce the chances of your car breaking down while you’re driving. As a car owner, what are the essential car checks you should know? Here are some of the most important ones. 

Oil Check

With so many moving parts to make the car run, oil allows the vehicle to run smoothly. You shouldn’t allow your car to run out of oil. It’s simple to check the oil level of your car. All you need to do is to pull out the car’s oil dipstick and check what the oil level is. 

Other than the oil level, you should also check the colour whether it’s gold or black. If the oil’s colour is already black, then that’s an indicator that your car needs an oil change. Also, ask your trusted auto mechanic how often you should get the oil changed. 

Transmission Fluid Check

When the transmission fails, the car won’t be able to run. If this happens, you can expect a costly trip to the repair shop. Too much or too little transmission fluid can cause problems with your car. It’s necessary to have it changed regularly so that the car will be able to change gears smoothly. 

For most cars, you can check the level of the transmission fluid by getting the dipstick as the car engine runs. Apart from the level, also check its colour, which should be red. If you see that it’s black, then a transmission flush is necessary, as well as a transmission fluid change. 

Power Steering Fluid Check

Your driving experience should be an enjoyable one. Without power steering, driving won’t be as much fun as it is. So, if you want to continue having a great time as you drive your car, check the power steering fluid. Maintain the correct amount so that it will be much easier to control the vehicle. You can do the check yourself, and if you see that the car’s almost out of power steering fluid, go ahead and refill it to the correct level. 

Tyre Pressure Check

It would be helpful if you can get a tyre pressure gauge to check your tyres. It’s inexpensive and it’s not complicated to use. If you can check the tyre pressure regularly, it can prevent you from getting a flat tyre on the road. 

Remember that if the tyres aren’t inflated correctly, they could blow out as you’re driving your car. It may even cause accidents. This is something you don’t want to happen because it could endanger other people. It’s also important for the tyres to have the right level of inflation so that your car is more fuel-efficient. 

Tyre Tread Check

Along with the tyre pressure, you should also check the tyre treads. The treads are crucial to the car because it provides traction while you’re driving. When the roads are slippery, the treads become even more important. 

Regularly check the tyres for signs of wear. Look for odd lumps or bulges because those can indicate that there’s a problem with the tyres. Bulges and low treads on your car’s tyres may cause blowouts or the car to slip while on the road.

Wheel Alignment Check

Whenever you’re driving, observe if your car veers slightly to the right or left. If this is happening, that means the wheel alignment is off. Go to your auto mechanic as soon as possible to have it checked. The wheels of your car should be properly aligned so that you can steer and control the car with ease.

Brake Check

If you’re starting to hear that undeniable screeching sound, that only means your brake pads are old and worn-out. Don’t wait for this to happen to your car. The brakes should be checked regularly as well so be sure to pay your auto mechanic a visit every once in a while. Your brakes will keep you safe while you’re driving. 

Coolant or Antifreeze Check

Before winter comes, see to it that your car has enough antifreeze so that it will run without any problem. As you may already know, cold temperatures can affect the performance of your car. In addition, check the coolant because it is also crucial to your vehicle. To ensure proper maintenance of your car, it should have the right levels of these fluids. 

However, before you add any fluids to the car yourself, keep in mind not to add coolant while the engine is hot. Give it time to cool down before you add the fluid to prevent cracking your car’s engine block. 

Air Filter Check

If you want to conserve your fuel consumption, don’t forget to check your car’s air filter. Not only will it cost you more money, but a clogged filter is also bad for your vehicle. It’s inexpensive to have the air filter checked. Replacing it won’t be costly either, so make it a point to include this in the car’s maintenance routine. Some auto mechanics may even check it for free if you’re going to have an oil change. 

Light Check

The lights on your car are how you can communicate with other drivers. That’s why if some of them are not functioning properly, it can be dangerous to you and others on the road. Check your headlights, reverse lights, brake lights, and turn signals regularly. 

Takeaway

Find time to check your car every now and then. If you’re not so sure, take it to an auto mechanic and don’t hesitate to ask questions or advice. It can help you save more money on costly car repairs when it’s all too late. Checking your car will also help in preventing it from breaking down on the road or causing accidents. As a car owner, it’s part of your responsibility to ensure that your vehicle is in its best condition so that you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your car is in tip-top shape.