How to Perform Basic Automotive Checks
Last updated December 2020
Your maintenance bible is your car’s owner’s manual; it tells you what to do and how often to do it. Since different cars require different maintenance tasks at different intervals, only the owner’s manual provides accurate guidance, but the procedures listed below are the ones most cars require frequently.
Every Time You Use Your Car
Check tires.
Before you get in the car, make sure all tires are inflated and that there are no bulges or obvious cuts.
Check gauges and warning lights.
Check that engine, oil pressure, and alternator warning lights go out shortly after the car is started. If you have gauges for oil pressure or electrical, they should point to the middle of the normal range.
Temperature gauges should come to rest in the safe or normal range after a few minutes of driving.
The brake-system warning light should go out when the emergency brake is released and then stay off.
If warning lights do not go out, have the car checked right away.
Once a Month Check the Following
Tire pressure
Driving with pressure too low wears out your tires and wastes gas. Tire pressure that is too high provides less traction and may give you a bumpy ride. Your owner’s manual indicates the correct pressure.
Engine oil
Park the car on level ground, turn off the engine, and wait a minute. Wipe dipstick clean, reinsert all the way, then pull it out to read oil level. If it’s at or near the “Add Oil” point, add a quart—but don’t overfill. Check manual for oil type and how often to change it.
Your owner’s manual will indicate the type of oil to add. Most standard cars use “multi-grade” oils like 10W-40. In motor oil, a low first number indicates that the oil can be used at low temperatures without thickening so as to prevent a car from starting; the high second number, such as 40 or 50, indicates that the oil will remain thick enough to be effective even at the high temperatures most engines maintain.
Battery
Corrosion can cause the battery to lose power. Apply a paste of baking soda and water to corroded areas on posts, let it sit for a half-hour, then rinse with water.
Coolant level
Check the reserve tank alongside the radiator. Caution: Never remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot; you could get scalded by spraying hot water and steam.
Belts
Many mechanical components are driven by belts. With the engine off, inspect for fraying, cracks, and loss of tension.
