Whilst most modern vehicles don’t require too much car maintenance there are still regular checks you should perform on your car to keep it running smoothly between car service. Here are 3 x DIY checks you can do at home:
As part of your car maintenance – Check your oil
Next to fuel, engine oil is one of your car’s most important fluids and is especially important to check regularly if you spend a lot of time on the road clocking up kilometres. It is a good idea to check your engine oil weekly and while the car is still relatively warm, make sure it is parked on level ground. Remove the dipstick and wipe away all oil with a dry rag. Push the dipstick all the way back in and then withdraw it to inspect your oil. Ideally your oil level should be near to the ‘maximum’ marker. You should also check the condition of the oil by removing some oil from the dipstick and rubbing it between two fingers, the oil should be amber in colour and feel smooth. If the oil feels gritty or is a very dark colour, that’s a sign your car needs an oil change.
Change wiper blades
A clear windscreen is vital to safe driving and part of car maintenance, so it is important to ensure your wiper blades are working properly to maintain optimal vision on the road. If you begin to notice smears or streak marks on your windscreen while the wipers are in operation; Or you notice the wipers are very noisy, then it is time to change your wiper blades! Wiper blades may vary from car to car, but you can obtain new blades easily at stores like Repco or Supercheap Auto, ask the assistant for help if you are unsure as to which blades will suit your car, some stores may even offer a fitting service if you’d prefer not to DIY.
Step 1 – lift blade from the windscreen (as if you were cleaning the screen)
Step 2 – to remove the old blade, squeeze the end with the clip to withdraw the blade
Step 3 – insert the new blade into blade claws and lock clip into the end claw
Check your battery
When it comes to starting your car, the last thing you want to hear is silence! Act quickly if you suspect your battery is losing power, there are some warning signs you can look out for suck as slow engine crank when you go to start your car, this is a clear sign it might be time for a new battery. Below is simple car maintenance load test you can perform at home to check your cars battery performance.
Step 1 – turn on your headlights and leave them on for 10 mins
Step 2 – start your car
Step 3 – watch the brightness of your lights as the car turns over
Step 4 – if your headlights dim noticeably it might be time to replace the battery
If in doubt Auto Leaders offers an Xpress lube service for $168 while you wait!
Book online at https://www.autoleaders.com.au/services/xpress-lube/
