The Secret Of A Smooth Ride In Your Car

By Automotive Online on April 24, 2008 8:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Your automobile's engine is as precious to your car as your car is to you. And it's very much within your control to keep your car fit and running smoothly. Aside from the normal service routines, focusing on the following critical check-up areas can forestall your car from coming to a standstill at a bad time.

Check The Automotive Lubricant Engine Oil Levels

Without the right levels of specific usage oils, such as the engine oil the friction and heat generated by the engine's fast and sustained movements would quickly cause it to malfunction. Hence a well-maintained engine lubrication system is invaluable for your cars smooth functioning and a longer life.

The Check-Up

Check the oil levels with an oil dipstick. Take it out and wipe it clean to see whether the car's lubricant level is at the al right or not ('Full' or 'Add.').
Perform a second check, just to be sure. If you need to 'Add' the oil, you could either do it yourself or help yourself to a service station.
Also look at the color of the engine oil. If you find that it's black in color then it's high time you replaced it, if not then it's ok. But remember that diesel engine oil turns black earlier than the gas engine one's.

Check The Engine Coolant Levels

Your car engine coolant enables the engine to maintain its cool while on duty, heavy and light both. The coolant is commonly known as anti-freeze and it's either green or orange colored.

The Check-Up

Locate your car's coolant reservoir tank, most often you'd find it on the side where the passenger sits.
Measure it up against the markings on the reservoir to know the coolant levels accurately.
If you find that the levels aren't up to the mark, you can easily make them so by adding a 50/50-mix solution that most automobiles' parts stores stock.

Check The Brake Fluid Levels

To have perfectly functional brakes is something that simply can't be overlooked if you want to be safe while driving. The brake fluid's job is to save you from accidents and enable the vehicle to stop well in time.

The Check-Up

Locate the brake-fluid container on top of a metal cylinder, at the back end of the engine bay and on the driver's side.
A see-through container lets you assess the fluid levels visually. In case it isn't, then you'd need to lift open the lid to perform the check.
Fill it up or leave it as it is based on your findings.

Check The Windshield Washer Fluid Levels

While not life threatening, the windshield washer fluids can cost you your peace of mind, if the windshield gets dirty and you're still far off from an automotive fluids manufacturer or a service station.

The Check-Up

Locate the windshield washer fluid reservoir. Its location is hardly a convention, and varies with your car make, model, etc.
Fill it up if you find its levels decreasing, normally a gallon of it should cost you about $5.

Check Air Pressure

The right air pressure in the tires not only enhances your safety on road but also increases the mileage of your vehicle.

The Check-Up

Check the tires' pressure when they are cold and not when the vehicle has been driven.
To know appropriate pressure for your car's tires, don't go by the prints under the "maximum pressure" on the side wall of the tire. Rather, refer to the owner's manual or the sticker inside the door-jam.
It's a good investment to purchase an electric tire pump for your car. If you don't have one already, it isn't difficult to find air pumps at most gas stations around the country.

Check The Exteriors

Last, but not the least is to perform an external check of your vehicle. Before you hop on behind the wheel, take a walk around it and look for any piece that's missing or out of place, viz. headlights, brake lights, wiper blades, etc.

For the most part it's not all that difficult to conduct all these checks by yourself, and most of the auto service stations keep themselves well-stocked of these supplies from their specific usage oils supplier. However, if you have any doubts you're better off seeking professional help.

Exercise Caution:

Don't touch the radiator cap when the engine is hot, the radiator is under pressure in a hot engine.
Caution is to be exercised when handling anti-freeze, as it's highly toxic. Keep it off yourself at all times.

Timely preventive maintenance will save you lots of money and stress in the long run, while ensuring safety and a smooth cruise on all your trips. Happy Driving!