| Learning a little more about how to better care for | | | | your fingers. Engine oil is the life blood of your vehicle's |
| your vehicles is a good idea for any number of | | | | power plant. Does the oil feel thick, or does it feel |
| reasons. It allows you to know if an unscrupulous | | | | watery. Thick is good, watery is bad! Change watery |
| mechanic is attempting to gouge you on your repairs - | | | | oil (and be sure to use an Engine Sentry when you do |
| and that will save you money. It can prevent you from | | | | change oil and filter). Add the appropriate oil if the level |
| making unnecessary repairs - and that will save you | | | | registers low. NEVER overfill your oil! |
| money. It can help you locate a problem and fix it early, | | | | -Check the coolant level. Be sure to use caution, and |
| thus saving more money - sometimes a whole lot of | | | | follow the manufacturer's instructions to avoid injury |
| money. It allows you to be more independent in an era | | | | from hot, pressurized liquids. Maintain as necessary. If |
| where people are entirely too dependent on others to | | | | you haven't had your coolant/anti-freeze checked |
| survive. | | | | lately, it might be advisable. Be sure to never add |
| We need to get started now, so that we have time to | | | | coolant or anti-freeze that is not recommended by |
| cover everything... | | | | your vehicle's manufacturer. Some radiators require |
| First, do a visual check of your vehicle. The following | | | | special products so as not to erode or corrode them. |
| will assist you in where to look, and for what: | | | | -Visually check your engine compartment. Tighten |
| -Look at your tires. Do they look low? A tire pressure | | | | caps, firmly tug/test hose connections, look for worn |
| gauge, available inexpensively at any discount store of | | | | things, things that have blown into the engine |
| auto parts store will help you make sure tire pressure | | | | compartment, etc. Maintain or repair as necessary. |
| stays dead on. Maintain as necessary. Better tire | | | | This is also a good time to do light engine cleaning. |
| pressures will make your vehicle safer, and more fuel | | | | Nothing too serious, just some rags and some |
| efficient. There are some very inexpensive air pumps | | | | degreaser: ammonia and water make a cheap, great |
| for sale at discount stores - should you really want to | | | | degreaser, but it shouldn't be used on aluminum - |
| stay on top of air pressure in your tires. Motorcyclists | | | | certainly not left on it. A toothbrush is also an excellent |
| and moped riders need to be exceptionally concerned | | | | tool here - it makes quick work of much engine debris. |
| about their tire pressures. | | | | -Visually check your automotive battery and |
| -Look closely at your tires and inspect for severely | | | | connections. Make sure the connections feel tight at |
| worn edges, areas missing chunks of rubber, or | | | | the battery. If you have green or white build-up on the |
| objects sticking into the tire. Maintain or replace as | | | | battery, mix some baking soda with tepid water (1 |
| necessary. If your tires are relatively new, and they | | | | 4-cup of baking soda to one quart of water) and stir it |
| seem to be wearing unevenly, take you vehicle into | | | | thoroughly. Now, slowly pour it directly over the |
| the shop for an alignment, and likely a tire rotation. | | | | affected areas. Don't worry about all the fizzing and |
| These two things are frequently lumped together in | | | | crackling - it's just cleaning. Make sure you do this |
| less costly automotive service "specials." | | | | where the runoff won't harm anything. An old |
| -Look under the vehicle for liquids. One drop usually | | | | toothbrush will make this go faster. When the terminals |
| means nothing. Look for consistent drip marks. | | | | are clean and dry, apply a thin coating of automotive |
| Remember that during summer months your vehicle's | | | | grease onto each battery terminal, and connection. |
| air conditioning will steadily drip water when in use - no | | | | Automotive grease comes in small, plastic tubs that |
| worries. Your coolant system may also spew an | | | | weigh about a pound each. They're cheap, so get a |
| occasional bit of water/anti-freeze, and that's okay too. | | | | good brand name. I use popsicle sticks to spread it |
| If you find a stain indicating long-term or consistent | | | | with. Grease is good to have around for many |
| leaking, trace the leak to its source: engine oil, | | | | automotive fixes and preventive maintenance actions. |
| transmission fluid, rear end oil, etc. Maintain or repair as | | | | Okay, you've completed the first steps of becoming a |
| necessary. Sometimes, just getting under the vehicle | | | | full-fledged automotive diagnostician - or something like |
| with a pressure hose at the car wash will clean off | | | | that, anyway. You've definitely gotten your vehicle in |
| years of old oil and debris that causes many | | | | much better condition, and you should have learned a |
| 'driveway' leaks - thus fixing the faux leak. | | | | thing or two. Keep an eye out for part II - Hear No Evil, |
| -Visually check your engine oil. Check it according to | | | | and Part III - Smell No Evil. |
| the manufacturer's instructions, and also feel it with | | | | |