How to Do Basic Car Maintenance

Guide Note

Learning how to do basic car maintenance is something that every car owner and driver should do. It is not difficult, nor do you need to be a car expert to do it. However, by maintaining your car you can save yourself money, gas, and headaches.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Step 1: Oil Level
• Step 2: Brake Fluid
• Step 3: Antifreeze or Coolant
• Step 4: Power Steering Fluid
• Step 5: Transmission Fluid
• Step 6: Air Filter
• Step 7: Tires
• Step 8: Wiper Blades
• Conclusion

Car Maintenance Tips

1. Maintaining your car can be done in under an hour.
2. You may need your car's owner's manual to help you.
3. Maintained cars get better gas mileage.
4. Make sure you wear old clothes before beginning.
5. Keep a schedule of your car's maintenance.

• by Darcy Logan

Introduction

• Performing basic car maintenance is not simply a matter of keeping your car in good condition, it can also help you improve gas mileage.¹ Many of these tasks can be completed in a few minutes without the use of any tools or special equipment. You will get your hands dirty, but don't worry—it will wash off.

Step 1: Check the Oil Level

Oil cap and dipstick. (Photo by Darcy Logan)

• You should check your engine oil level every time you fill your car with gas. Cars low on oil can become seriously damaged.² Here is how you check the oil level in your car:

1. Open the hood.
2. Find the oil dipstick. The oil dipstick is located underneath the hood, usually toward the front.
3. Pull out the dipstick and clean it off with a rag.
4. Replace the dipstick all the way into the chamber and pull it out again.
5. Look at the dipstick. The oil level should fall in between the upper and lower limits.

• If your oil level is low, you will need to add more. Check with your car's manufacturer or in the owner's manual for the correct grade of oil. Here is how to add oil to your car or truck:

1. Locate the oil filler cap. It should be near the dipstick and clearly marked "oil."
2. Unscrew the cap and set aside.
3. Carefully pour in a small amount of new oil. You may want to use a funnel.
4. Recheck the oil level using the steps listed earlier.
5. You will want the oil level to fall halfway between the maximum and minimum marks on the dipstick.² If the level is not between the guidelines, repeat steps three and four until it is.

• You can also check to see if your oil is dirty by spreading some of it (from the dipstick) on a piece of white paper and comparing it to some fresh oil.² If your oil looks dirty, it is time to change it.

• • Check out Mahalo's How to Change Your Oil for additional information.

Step 2: Check the Brake Fluid

Brake fluid cap. (Photo by Darcy Logan)

• The brake fluid is located in the brake master fluid reservoir. You may need to check your car's owner's manual for where it is located. However, it is usually toward the back of the engine compartment and may be marked by a symbol that looks like a stop sign with a circle surrounded by parentheses inside it: (O).² To check the fluid level, here's what you need to do:

1. Open the hood.
2. Locate the cap to the brake master fluid reservoir.
3. Thoroughly wipe of the cap and top of the reservoir to prevent any contaminates from falling into the brake fluid.³
4. Look into the reservoir to see if the fluid looks low.

• Although you can top off brake fluid if it is low, you should be more concerned as to why it is low. Low brake fluid is an indication that you need to replace the pads or shoes, or that you have a leak in the system.⁴ Have your car checked out by a certified mechanic as soon as possible. If for some reason you do need to add brake fluid, make sure that you only add fluid that is recommended by the manufacturer, and take care not to overfill.³

Step 3: Check the Antifreeze or Coolant

• Antifreeze or coolant is used to keep your car cool in the summer and warm in the winter.⁵ It also helps prevent rust, scale and acid from forming, which can overheat and damage your engine. You should check that your car has enough coolant or antifreeze every time you change your oil. It is an easy process.

1. Open the hood.
2. Find the coolant/antifreeze reservoir. On newer cars, this is usually a semi-transparent plastic container toward the front of the engine.⁶
3. Check the level of coolant inside using a flashlight.³ There may be high/low markings on the side of the reservoir to help guide you.⁶

• If your coolant or antifreeze is low, check with the owner's manual on the proper type of fluid to use to replace it. Many cars need a coolant/antifreeze mixture, usually one that is 50 percent antifreeze/coolant and 50 percent water.⁶

• ExpertVillage: How to Check Engine Coolant Levels in a Car (Time: 1:15)

Step 4: Check the Power Steering Fluid

• The power steering fluid reservoir can be hard to find.³ Many newer cars have begun labeling the caps of these reservoirs with a steering wheel symbol. Your car's owner's manual can help you find it, since it is in a different location on different vehicles.² Check the fluid in your power steering fluid reservoir in the following manner:

1. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir off.
2. Unscrew the cap and remove.
3. Wipe the dipstick (part of the cap) off with a rag and replace.
4. Remove the cap/dipstick and look at the fluid levels. The dipstick might have levels that indicate where it should be when your engine is hot or cold.
5. If the fluid is low, check with your car's owner's manual for the appropriate type of what type of fluid to add.⁴
6. Check the dipstick again. If the fluid is still low, add more fluid and check the dipstick again.
7. Replace the cap when you are finished and make sure it is tight.

Step 5: Check the Transmission or Transaxle Fluid

Transmission fluid dipstick. (Photo by Darcy Logan)

• Your transmission or transaxle fluid helps maintain proper shifting and keeps the seals lubricated. It should be checked while your car is idling.³ Here is the proper way to check your transmission fluid:

1. Turn the ignition key so that your car is idling. Make sure it is in park.
2. Open the hood and locate the transmission fluid dipstick. It is often red.³
3. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean cloth.
4. Reinsert the dipstick all the way and pull it back out.
5. Look at the fluid level. It should fall between the two lines.
6. Look at and smell the fluid. The fluid should have a pinkish tint and not smell pungent or burnt.³ If it does not meet these conditions, you made need to have your transmission fluid changed.⁴
7. If your fluid is low, place a funnel into the dipstick opening.
8. Carefully add fluid.
9. Recheck fluid levels with the dipstick.
10. Repeat steps eight and nine until the fluid falls into the appropriate levels.
11. Turn off your car.

• ExpertVillage: How to Check Your Transmission Fluid in a Vehicle (Time: 2:02)

Step 6: Change Your Air Filter

• Change your air filter about every 9,000 miles or every six months.^{7 5} A dirty air filter can reduce your average gas mileage by almost 10 percent.¹ In between air filter changes, take a moment to clean your air filter. You can find out how to remove your air filter in your car's manual, but it is usually a simple matter of popping the hood, unscrewing a single wing nut and lifting a lid. Then, run a vacuum over the air filter and replace.¹

Step 7: Check Your Tires

Testing tire threads. (Photo by Darcy Logan)

• You should check your tires' pressure and tread wear at least once a month.⁴ This will help improve your car's fuel economy, the longevity of your tires and how your car handles.⁸ You will also want to have your tires rotated every 4,000 to 8,000 miles, depending on your type of vehicle.⁴

Tire Pressure

• It is important that your tires are inflated to the correct pressure. If they are just two pounds low, it could affect your fuel mileage by 4 percent.³ Under-inflated tires are one of the main causes of tire failure.⁶ Do not think that you are able to visually check your tires. Tires can be as much as ten pounds low before they become noticeable.¹ The correct tire pressure for your car is usually written down in the glove box, the door jam or the fuel filler door.³ You can also find it in the owner's manual for your car. Do not fill the tires to the maximum recommended written on tire unless it matches to your car's manufacturer's guidelines.⁴

• Here is how to check your tires' pressure:

1. Check your tires when they are cold. The pressure will go up once you have been driving for a few minutes and give you a false high reading.⁵
2. Find the valve on your tire.
3. Remove the cap (but be careful not to lose it).
4. Place the tire pressure gauge firmly against the valve until you the air stops leaking from around it.
5. Without removing the gauge, look at the reading.
6. If the pressure is low, connect your car's tire to an air line and inflate the tire until the right amount is shown on the pressure gauge.
7. If you overfill, depress the pin in the center of the valve and release some air.
8. Don't forget to check the pressure on your spare tire.

Tread Wear

• When you are checking the tire pressure, you should also do a visual inspection of the tire. Look for uneven wear and defects that could signal bigger issues.⁸ You should also check your tires' tread wear using a penny.⁷

1. Turn the penny so that Lincoln's head is facing toward you but the top of his head is pointing down towards the tire.
2. Insert the penny in between the grooves.
3. If the tread does not reach Lincoln's hair, it is time to replace the tire.
4. If Lincoln's hair is covered, your tires are fine.
5. Repeat this step with all four tires because they can wear at different levels.³

Step 8: Change the Wiper Blades

• Wiper blades are often neglected, but one of the more important items on your car. Check and clean your wiper blades every time you stop for gas.⁴ You should change your wiper blades at least every six months.⁵ However, you may need to change them more often during the winter or in climates with harsher winters.⁶ Here's a little tip: buy two sets of wiper blades next time and keep an extra set in your car.

• MonkeySee: How to Change Your Windshield Wiper Blades (Time: 1:47)

Conclusion

• Most people forget to do basic car maintenance until it is too late. Learning that you need coolant or oil is not something that should happen when you're on the highway. A little work now can save you money and headaches in the future.

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References for How to Do Basic Car Maintenance

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} The Simple Dollar: The One Hour Project: Basic Car Maintenance
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4} Autoropolis: Basic Car Maintenance
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9} Home & Garden Television: Basic Car Maintenance
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6} The ServiceAdvisor.com: The Whys of Basic Car Maintenance
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3} Midas: 10 Tips for a More Reliable Car
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4} Autopia.org: Basic Car Maintenance
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} The News Record: Routine Car Maintenance May 19, 2004
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1} Midas: Basic Car Maintenance

How to Do Basic Car Maintenance Videos

• MonkeySee: How to Change Your Windshield Wiper Blades (Time: 1:47)
• ExpertVillage: Car Maintenance and Repair Tips Videos
• MonkeySee: Basic Car Maintenance to Improve Gas Mileage (Time: 2:01)
• ExpertVillage: How to Check Engine Coolant Levels in a Car (Time: 1:15)
• ExpertVillage: How to Check Your Transmission Fluid in a Vehicle (Time: 2:02)