Basic Vehicle Maintenance

Overview
In this booklet will be an overview of some basic car
checks that you should be doing at least 4 times a year.
The booklet will be covering the following;
1. Filters, belts and hoses
2. Fluids
3. Tires

Location of Items Being

Reviewed

http://files.conceptcarz.com/img/Hyundai/hyundai_accent_GS_manu-07_e01-1024.jpg

Legend:

#1. Engine Oil

#6. Engine Air Filter

#2.Power Steering Fluid

#7. Transmission Fluid

#3.Brake Fluid

#8. Hoses(s)

#4. Coolant + Radiator

#9. Belt(s)

#5. Battery

Fluids
1. Oil:

- Check Oil level. Pull dipstick out that is usually yellow and/or has the word Oil on
it.
- Make sure the oil is in the Safe Zone as indicated on the picture below
- The Colour should be a dark or light brown.
- Dark black suggests that its time for an oil change
- Oil changes have to be done every 5000KM or every 3 months

http://www.autozone.com/repairinfo/repairguide/repairGuideContent.jsp?pageId=0996b43f80380188

2. Coolant:

- Check the reservoir (Overflow) and make sure the coolant is between the minimum

and maximum line.

- When the engine is cool open up the Radiator cap and make sure there is coolant in
the rad.
- Coolant should be a yellow colour.
*Note: Coolant expands when hot so do NOT put more coolant than the max line in
thereservoir*
What A Coolant Reservoir looks like:
What A Radiator Cap looks like:

Fluids
3. Brake Fluid:

- Check your brake fluid, your brake fluid WILL go down as your brakes wear.
- If your brake fluid is almost at the minimum line, it is time to get your brakes
checked!
- Brake fluid is usually clear out of the bottle and turns a bit brown after some use.
- Most vehicles require DOT 3 brake fluid

What a Brake Reservoir looks like:

4. Power Steering Fluid:

- Check power steering fluid to make sure there is enough fluid

- Power steering is recomended to be flushed every 80 000KM
- Picture below will indicate what to look for
What a Power Steering Fluid Reservoir looks like:

5. Transmission Fluid:

http://contentinfo.autozone.com/znetcs/product-info/en/US/drm/603-913/image/3/

- Checking your transmission fluid is very similar to checking your Engine Oil
- Pull the dipstick usually red and/or says Transmission on it.
- Start up the vehicle and put it in Neutral
- Pull the dip stick out and see if it is in the safe zone.
- Transmission Fluid should be red in coulor.

What a Transmission
Dipstick Looks like:

Filters
Engine air filter:

The engine air filter, filters the air going into the engine. If it is to dirty it can cause
your car to not run well and/or burn more fuel, because its getting less clean air
and more dirty air. Checking the Engine air filter most of the time is as easy as
moving a few metal clips that can be pushed down. Some other styles have a few
screws to loosen and then remove the plastic housing. Inside will be a filter similar
to the ones below.
It is also good to check your cabin air filter. This filters the air that goes into the
vehicles cabin. When dirty you are only harming your self over a silly filter. The
cabin air filters are normally behind/ inside the glove box. Both engine and cabin
air filters should be white or beige.

New vs Old

Belts and Hoses

Belts:

It is also very important to check your condition of belts. When checking belts
look for any cracks or if the belt is fraying. If the belt has any more then three
cracks within an inch, get it changed ASAP. A belt snapping will lead you to call
a tow truck.

Hoses:

Make sure your hoses are not cracking or they could leak. Also make sure the
hoses dont feel to spongy because this could suggest your coolant is low.
If possible check your battery make sure there is no corrosion on the terminals.
On your next oil change, if done by a shop ask to have your battery tested to
check the Cold Cranking Amps. Having a bad battery will only hurt you in the
long run. You are overworking your Starter and Alternator when you dont have
to.

New vs Old

http://forums.dubr.com/albums/album04/DSCN1850.jpg

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/

Tires
- Check tire pressures. Normally for cars they range between 29-35 PSI.
- Inside the door will normally be a sticker telling you what the tire pressures
should be from front to back.
- Check tread depth and wear pattern. This shows the shape of your tires and
if the tires are out of balance or alignment.
- Check the overall condition of the tires. Tires should NOT be cracked in
the side wall OR in the tred. The risk of the tire exploding is losing control of
the car or losing a fender.
- Check for any bulges in the tire this is literally a time bomb that could
explode at any time. These are formed by hitting curbs. Tires should not be
on your car for anymore then 10 years regardless of use. Anyone else would
recomend changes tires every 6 years.

Time for replacement if you see any

cracks or bulges. Uneven tread wear
means it is time for an alignment
and new tires.

Tire Pressure Sticker:

http://www.road-reality.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010Nissan-Maxima-Tire-Pressure-Sticker-Cropped.jpg
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR6xK
DMLzt8aEN9IbkuOiH1l7MtgcjJw35UTPYZiDYo9-SChTx_
http://www.usedtiresrims.com/pics/buy_used_tires_1.jpg
https://www.google.ca/search?q=bulges+in+car+tire&es_

Check List
1. Oil
2. Power Steering
3. Brake Fluid
4. Coolant
5. Battery
6. Air Filter(S)
7. Transmission
8. Hoses
9. Belts
10. Tires