You don't need to be a mechanic to perform a routine inspection of your vehicle. It only takes a few minutes. You just need to open up the hood of your car and go through the checks indicated in the driver's manual which is usually located in the glove compartment. Doing a routine inspection under the hood can help you spot problems by yourself and thus prevent costly breakdowns.
First of all, read your driver's manual, identify what needs to be checked and make sure to follow safety precautions. If the engine is warm, some parts may be too hot to handle. But you can check almost everything when the engine is cold, except for the automatic transmission fluid. Keep your hands away from belts and fans when the engine is running. The only things you'll need are gloves and a rag.
The following need to be checked regularly:
- Engine oil level
- Transmission fluid level
- Brake fluid level
- Power steering fluid
- Cooling liquid level
- Belts and hoses
- Battery
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
This is the lifeblood of your engine, one minute without oil and the engine suffers irreversible damage. To check the oil level, find the gauge and pull it out. Wipe the oil off with your rag and find the hatched area which shows where the oil level should be. Re-insert the gauge all the way in its tube and pull it out again to check the oil level.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL
The automatic transmission fluid level must be checked when the engine is running. Also, make sure that your car is on leveled ground and that the engine is already warm. Pull out the transmission gauge, wipe off the end of it with the rag and take a look at the inscriptions. Usually the words "FULL" and "ADD 1 PINT" are written on both sides of the hatched area. Transmission fluid is normally red or pink. If it is somewhat brown or gives off a burnt smell, you should have it checked by a mechanic. Just as with engine oil, never add fluid unless the level is below the "ADD 1 PINT" mark. Be sure to use appropriate transmission fluid. This should be clearly indicated in the owner's manual.
BRAKE FLUID LEVEL
The brake fuel container is located under the hood in front of the driver. Most cars these days have a transparent container allowing you to check fluid level without having to remove the cap. You should never have to add brake fluid to this container. The fluid level will drop slightly over a long period. As brake linings wear off, the fluid fills in the space left by the calipers as they move to set the brake pads. But all this is normal, and you should not worry. If the fluid level drops down noticeably over a short time – or even drops down completely – have your brakes checked as soon as possible. NEVER add anything other than fluid specifically made for brakes. Any other type of oil might damage the brake system and cause a sudden brake failure.
POWER STEERING FLUID
The cap of the power steering fluid container is usually equipped with a gauge. Remove the cap and check the fluid level which should always remain at the designated line. If you have to add fluid more than once or twice a year, it is an indication that there is a leak somewhere. If the fluid level is too low, air will get into the pump and that will produce a kind of a rumbling sound. This will cause some damage.
COOLING LIQUID LEVEL
Never remove a radiator cap when it's hot. The car's cooling system is under high pressure and the cooling liquid is usually hotter than boiling water. Find the expansion tank of the cooling system near the radiator. It is normally translucent white so you can check the fluid level without opening the system. Two things should be written on the side of the expansion tank: FULL HOT and FULL COLD. You can add coolant to this container. If the liquid level frequently drops below the FULL COLD mark after you've added coolant, there's probably a leak, and you should have it checked as soon as possible. You should take good care of the cooling system because modern engines are more likely to suffer damage due to overheating.
BELTS AND HOSES
Belts are used to drive a number of engine components: water pumps, power steering pumps, air conditioning, and alternators. Newer car models have only one "serpentine" belt that drives all these accessories. This type of belt is smooth on one side and ribbed on the other. You should carefully examine the ribbed side for cracks or dry spots in the rubber. Serpentine belts are usually self-adjusting and quite sturdy. Another kind of belt used is the adjustable V-type.
Hoses are checked visually, looking for cracks and checking tightness. You must pay special attention to the ends where hose clamps are located. Replace all hoses showing signs of cracked or dried rubber.
BATTERY
Most batteries today are maintenance-free. And this does not mean that you should never check them. Basically you should make sure that the battery top is dry and free of dirt and debris, and that its terminals are clean. If battery terminals are covered with verdigris, you should clean them with a water solution of sodium bicarbonate. If, after cleaning, the battery top often gets damp again or terminals become quickly corroded, have your mechanic check the battery and its charging system.