Ladies, we must be honest with ourselves; the world of cars isn’t very accessible to us. Between the tech-heavy jargon and the macho-man stereotype of car maintenance, it can be kind of difficult to navigate the do’s and don’ts of auto-care for those of us that weren’t really raised with it. But, it is incredibly important for us, the drivers, to be the first and foremost mechanic of our lovely cars and trucks. And, actually, it’s a lot easier than you would think and will save you money in the long run. So here are five things that you can check on your car to make sure that it runs as smooth as creamy peanut butter.
1. Have the right tools
OK, so this one isn’t actually nitty and gritty, but it is absolutely essential for any car owner. Having the proper tools for your car can a make a huge difference if you are in a jam (both figuratively and literally). Some necessary tools include a tire pressure gauge, jumper cables, a flashlight, a tire iron, a jack, and a spare tire. Most cars come with a spare tire, but rarely do they come with all the other goodies. It’s also smart to keep a bottle of transmission fluid and engine oil available because there’s nothing worse than being stranded in the middle of the highway because your transmission stalled on you. So while it might take up some space in your trunk or back seat, it’s totally worth the money and space to invest.
2. Check your tire pressure
First up is your tires. Those bad boys might seem like they can take a lot (and they can!) but failing to have properly inflated tires can do real damage to them. Overinflation can wear out the very middle of them fast, while underinflation can wear out the sides of the tire. Not to mention, for every pounds per square inch (psi) that your tires are underinflated, you lose up to .3 percent of gas mileage, according to the Department of Energy. That adds up over time. Nobody wants to lose gas, so what do you do? Easy! You just check your tire pressure! You can find the psi of your tires on the inside of the driver’s side door. This is where your tire pressure gauge comes in handy. You simply remove the cap on your tire and press the end of the gauge into the nozzle. If you can hear air hissing, that means it is escaping and your gauge is not on correctly. If it is on right, you should hear nothing at all and the dial on the gauge should jump to the appropriate number. If it’s low, you should really pump up your tire. Most gas stations have free air and the pumps usually have clear instructions.
3. Check your battery terminals
As time passes, your battery in your car can corrode just as much as a battery in your remote might. But fear not! This is a relatively simple fix. You can tell that a battery has begun to corrode by the blue or white “fuzz” that collects around the positive and negative terminals. And while it might be nerve wracking to touch a car’s battery, there is no need to fear. You won’t be shocked by the battery when you clean the terminals. To do that, you need some gloves, a toothbrush, and a mix of water and baking soda. You just clean the terminals with the baking soda mix and tada! Your terminals are fully functioning and ready to go!
4. Check your engine oil
Oil is the absolute lifesaver of a car. With too much or too little oil, an engine can accumulate severe damage, as it is not being lubricated properly. To check your oil, the car should not be used three hours prior to the check, otherwise you’ll end up with an inaccurate reading. Next, locate your car’s engine oil dipstick (yes, that is actually a thing) and you remove it and wipe it clean. Reinsert the dipstick and check the very end of it. There should be crosshatching marks between the words “ADD” and “FULL.” So long as your oil is between those marks, you’re good! If it is low, you need to read the instructions in your car owner’s manual or the dipstick should state how much oil to add. What type of engine oil to add depends on your area and climate, so ask someone at your local auto store. Usually, in the Oswego climate, 5W-30 works pretty well. All you need to do to add oil is open the engine oil tank, use a funnel, and deposit the correct amount of oil. Pretty simple, right?
5. Check your transmission fluid
Everyone dreads the words “transmission failure.” If your transmission goes, that’s usually $1,000 into your car. Nobody wants that, so checking your transmission fluid level is a really good idea. Do exactly exactly the way you would check the engine oil except make certain that the car has been running for at least 10-15 minutes, that way the fluid is distributed evenly and you get the best reading possible. Again, so long as what you’re reading is in the crosshatching area, this time between the words “WARM” and “HOT,” your levels are good!
So there you go! While some of us will never be car experts, these are five sure-fire ways to make certain that your car remains in good condition. Remember, be safe and good luck!