The oil level should be between the "Low" and "Full" marks. We recommend keeping it close to the "Full" mark. If the level is low, top it up; see how below. Some cars and trucks have a crossed section on the dipstick instead of the marks. It works the same way; your owner's manual will show the pictures how to read the dipstick in your car. Check the oil condition: If it's way too black, it's time for an oil change. If it's dirty and low, have the oil change done or at least top the level up. If it's more or less clean but low, top it up. If the level is OK and the oil is not too dirty, good job! Keep following the maintenance schedule. Of course, in a diesel or turbocharged gasoline engine, even fairly fresh oil will look dark. |
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How to top up the engine oil: Open the oil filler cap and add a small amount of oil. Wait for a couple of minutes to let oil flow into the oil pan. Check the oil level again with the dipstick. If it's still low, add some more, but don't overfill it. Don't forget to install the dipstick back and close the oil filler cap when you are done. |
Check the battery condition visually. Look at the battery terminals; they should not be loose or corroded. See the photos. Corrosion or loose connection at the battery terminals can result in a no-start, Check Engine light, lack of electric power steering assist and many other problems. You may find tips on how to clean the battery terminals in your vehicle's owner's manual. Here are some YouTube videos on the subject. Be careful, that white flaky corrosion stuff is very acidic. Servicing battery terminals in a repair shop costs from $30 to $55. If your engine turns over slower than before and dash lights dim when you are starting your car, it's an early sign that your battery is getting weak. It might just need to be charged or it has permanently lost some of its capacity. Your mechanic can do a battery test to check its capacity. If your battery is more than 5 years old, and you notice that it's getting weaker, it might be a good idea to replace it instead of servicing or testing. |
The engine air filter keeps the air entering the engine clean, but over time the filter gets dirty and restricts the air flow. The engine air filter is recommended to be replaced every 15,000-25,000 miles or 24,000-40,000 km, depending on the roads you drive on. Mechanics check your air filter when you bring your car in for an oil change. |
If you want to check it or replace it yourself, on most cars and trucks it's a fairly easy task. Your owner's manual has directions or you can find instructions on YouTube. It's best to use an original air filter that you can buy at your local dealership parts department; it costs around $20-$30. When you are installing the air filter, make sure it's installed correctly. If the filter is not installed properly, unfiltered air entering the engine could damage the airflow sensor. Read more: how to maintain your engine. If your engine air filter is dirty, then the cabin air filter is likely to be dirty too. |
After the vehicle was driven for at least 20-30 minutes and the transmission fluid is warmed up, park your vehicle on a level spot. Set the parking brake. Make sure the transmission is in "P" (Park) position. Leave the engine running. Pull out the automatic transmission dipstick. |
Wipe it off with a clean lint-free towel. Insert it back fully. Pull it out again and check the fluid level. |
A transmission fluid expands when warmed up, so if the car has been driven for 20-30 minutes, the transmission level should be between the "HOT" marks. If the transmission fluid level is low, suspect a leak and have it checked out. See this example of a transmission fluid leak. Check the fluid condition: if the fluid looks very dirty or has a burnt smell, see if your mechanic recommends changing it. Today's cars have very strict requirement to the transmission fluid. For this reason, we recommend visiting your dealer when you want to change your transmission fluid. |
Replace the wipers at least once a year or earlier if they don't clean properly. If you still have the original wipers installed, you can just replace the rubber refills; they cost just a few bucks and can be purchased from your local dealership's parts department. Check if the windshield washer jets are working properly. |
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Check the tire pressure regularly. If you don't have the tire pressure gauge, it's worth buying a good one. Most gas stations have an air pump with a tire pressure gauge. You can find the recommended tire pressure in the owner's manual or on the tire pressure sticker (see photo), which is in most cars located on the driver's door jamb. In other cars, it could be located inside the gas tank lid or inside the glove box. |
Measure tire pressure when tires are still cold. Pump or deflate to the recommended pressure. The maximum pressure listed on tires is NOT the proper pressure! |
There is a safe limit of the tire tread wear. If a tire is worn below this limit, it's unsafe to drive. Your owner's manual has the directions on how to measure the tire tread wear or your mechanic can check your tires for you. This tire in the photo is unsafe. How do you know that your tires are close to the minimum limit? Tires have wear bars (indicators) molded into the tread. See this photo of a new vs. worn-out tire. You can also check the tread with a tire tread gauge. When your tire tread wears out to around 4/32-nd of an inch, it's time to start shopping for new tires. At 4/32" of the tread remaining, tires are still considered safe, but you may start noticing that your car is sliding a bit when roads are wet. |
![]() Recommended tire rotation patterns are also different. In most cases, tires are rotated front to back on the same side (for directional tires) or front to back and side to side. Another benefit is that your mechanic can catch problems with your brakes, suspension and other components while rotating your tires. Does your car need tire balancing or wheel alignment? Tire or wheel balancing is the process of adding little weights to the rim to equalize weight distribution around the wheel. Wheels are balanced at the factory or when new tires are installed. If you feel a vibration at higher speeds, have your tires balanced, although this will not solve a vibration caused by flat spots on a tire or a bent rim. The wheel alignment is adjusting suspension and steering angles. Your car needs a wheel alignment if your steering wheel is off-center when driving straight or if the vehicle pulls to one side, or if tires wear unevenly. |
![]() A serpentine belt will need to be replaced, as it stretches and cracks with age. If your car has a timing belt, it will also need to be changed. Your car will break down if either of the belts fails. If a timing belt breaks while driving, it may also cause damage to the engine. Read more about a serpentine belt and timing belt. All these services don't have to be done at once. Your mechanic can check the condition of your engine, belts and other items and advise you if anything needs to be done. Read more: how to maintain your engine. |
![]() Many modern SUVs require special fluid, so it's best to check with your dealer or consult the owner's manual. Many trucks also have grease points on propeller shafts, u-joints and some other chassis components that need to be greased with a grease gun. |
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