Avoid Huge Future Bills At the Mechanic's

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“When it comes to checking our cars, I’ll let my mechanic do it” is the most common refrain. However, you can save money in the long run by spending time on preventive maintenance. Keeping your car in good running condition will help you avoid breakdowns and the stress of being stranded by the roadside, especially with the high crime rate of today.

The first rule is to read the owner’s manual. If your used car doesn’t come with one, ask the previous owner whether he has it. If not, ask the manufacturer. The manual will help you understand what your car need and the parts that are required.

While you should take your car to your mechanic for regular check-ups, here are some easy DIY tips to help keep your car running well.

Physical checks

The best time to check your car is in the morning, when the engine bay is cool and there is enough light for you to do a thorough check. Do a car walkabout: Start with the engine bay area and finish with the trunk. Under the bonnet, look out for anything unusual and check against your owner’s manual. You may find leaking hoses, broken or melted wires, rusty pipes or oil stains. An engine bay should look clean, with everything in its place.

In the trunk area, check whether your spare tyre is still there! The irony is that most car owners rarely ensure that their spare tyres have enough air; some may have never taken a look at the tyres at all! Do try your hand at changing a tyre. Some auto-assistance companies sometimes do not travel beyond city limits, and you do not want to be caught with a flat tyre, especially when you do not have a cell phone.

Battery

Check your battery regularly. If you’re not so disciplined, get a maintenance-free battery, as you do not have to top up the electrolyte levels. It might cost more than an ordinary battery but the cost difference is less than RM100. A car battery lasts one to two years, if maintained well. You can help extend its lifespan if you make sure your electrical systems such as the air-conditioning, stereo and lights are switched off before turning on the engine. Do keep an eye on your battery-charging efficiency and voltages and invest in a battery voltage indicator (you can get this at under RM100 at regular hypermarkets)

The remote alarm unit needs a battery change every year. Some alarm units require power to arm or disarm the immobilizer, so you might get stuck in the middle of nowhere if the battery dies on you. You can replace it at any watch or electrical shop.

Oil

Check the manual for the location of the engine oil dipstick. It is a thin metal rod with loop at the end. Engine oil lubricates the metal moving parts of the engine, so it is important to check your oil level every week. Make sure the engine is turned off as the oil will settle at the bottom, and won’t spatter out the hole. The oil level should be close to the maximum-level indicator – a ¾ level on the dipstick is acceptable. The engine oil should be changed at every 5,000km to 6,000km. Some engine oils have a lifespan of up to 10,000km.

The power-steering, brake and clutch fluids should be at maximum levels. If any level is low, there could be a leak somewhere; so, once you refill the fluid, check every week to gauge the variance. If the fluid has turned black or really dark, then it may need changing for better effectiveness.

If you are driving an automatic transmission vehicle, there chould be another dipstick for that. It would be marked out in red or white, and would be located slightly below the engine oil dipstick. The automatic transmission dipstick may not have a level indicator but you can check for discoloration (most automatic transmission fluids are red). If the oil ooks sludgy and very dark, you should get it replaced by trained mechanic. Gear or automatic transmission fluids usually last for 20,000km to 30,000km.

Water

The radiator reservoir should always be full. Wait until your car has cooled down before checking the radiator. Do it in the morning before you start the car or let the engine cool down for an hour or so. Never check the radiator when the engine has been running!

Air filter

The air filter, which is normally located in a black box, needs cleaning once in awhile. A new air filter helps filter the dirty air coming through the intake, To prolong its efficiency, you can remove it every week and knock out the dust. Get original replacements.

Brakes

Most cars today have a brake-wear indicator on the brake pads. However, you would have to remove the tyre for visual checking. If the brake pads are severely worn, the indicator will hit the disc, emitting a scraping noise. Get the pad replaced immediately.

Tyres

Check your tyres every week, as do not wish to compromise on safety, ride and fuel consumption. Check the amount of air in the tires with a tire-pressure gauge (costs about RM30). Check you owner’s manual for the recommended tyre pressure (normal average tyre pressure for 14in to 15in tires are 28psi to 30psi).

Tyres have thread wear indicators (TWI) markings to show you where to look for thread-wear life. Look for the TWI on the side of the tyre. You will notice a little bridge between the grooves of the tyre. If the bridges are the same height as the tyre groove, then it is time to get the tyres replaced. 

Alignment

Vehicle alignment is important for keeping your tyres planted firmly on the road. Incorrect vehicle alignment causes your tyres to wear down rapidty and unevenly, and may affect the handling and safety of the vehicle. On a straight and flat road, check whether your car is pulling to one side. Uneven tyre wear is a clear indicator of how bad you alignment is.

Another indicator of your car’s alignment is the angle of your steering wheel.Everything should line up nicely, from the steering wheel to the angles of your wheels. Also, tyres do need balancing once in a while to minimize vibration. However, unbalanced tyres do not adversely affect your vehicle’s alignment directly. It may cause the tyres to vibrate but your car should still travel in a straight line.

Note: These are general tips. Do check them against your car’s manual and specifications. The manual should tell you where all the parts are located.

(Source: Personal Money)