Periodically, looking for the good maintenance and condition of the car, it is necessary to do routine maintenance. In this way you will prevent it from deteriorating or failing you at the least expected moment.
We will teach you how to do a basic inspection of the car so that you can use it and drive with peace of mind.
When you are going to take a trip you always have to do this review at least to feel calm. I say at least because it is also convenient for your mechanic to do a general check-up.
In any case, we will explain all those controls that you can do without help and that should be part of your routine. Driving a car safely is not only complying with all the pre-established rules for driving or transporting passengers, but also taking all the care related to the operation of the car.
For example, if you do not check the wiper blades and you are surprised by rain on the road, you will be in serious trouble if your wiper blade is not in good condition or if you do not have fluid to clean it if necessary.
Remember that safety must come first and preventing possible accidents depends on the state of your car and not just on driving.
A complete control per year would be ideal and sufficient to travel safely. Although it is expensive to do it in a mechanical workshop, you can save money if you do the minimum checks that we have explained to you periodically because you will avoid greater evils.
What do you need to do a basic inspection of the car?
- Control of fluids, tires and lights
- Car documentation.
Instructions to do a basic inspection of the car
- When we talk about a basic car checkup, we mean a car that is in good or normal operating condition. If the car has faults and you are about to take a trip, you should have it checked by a mechanic.
- First of all we must check the fluids of the car. For this you must do it with the engine cold, that is to say that if you were using it you must stop the engine, raise the hood and let it cool.
- Check the oil level: Remove the dipstick that comes especially for this and since it will have oil, you must clean it with a clean cloth or burlap. You will see that at the end of the dipstick there are some marks that indicate the level of oil in the container. Open the oil conduit and fully insert the dipstick, remove it and observe the mark that was left. The optimal level must remain, otherwise you must add oil (always the one recommended by the manufacturer). In any case, when you check the oil level, you can tell if it is necessary to make the change, this happens if you see that it is dirty, very thick or bad-looking. To know every how many kilometers you should change the oil. You must see the instruction manual, knowing your car is a priority. Always record the date of the last oil change.
- Another fluid that you should check is that of the radiator. To do this, open the lid and look at the fluid level. Add if necessary.
- The windshield wiper also carries its fluid. This must always be full. Open the tank and add demineralized water to prevent scale from forming in the ducts. If you add any other additive to clean the windows, look at the recommendations given by the manufacturer in the manual.
- Check the brake fluid level, adding if necessary and tightening the plugs when you close them.
- Another important point of revision is that of the tires. Some things are done with the naked eye, others require specialized assistance in workshops. At first glance you can check that the wear of the tires is even, that is to say that on none of the wheels there is greater wear on the inside or outside of the tire because this means that it is misaligned or unbalanced. They should look straight. If this is not the case, take the car to do an alignment and balancing, this must be repeated at least once a year, which will allow you to take care of the tires and save money. On the other hand, the grooves or drawings of the tires must be clearly seen. This ensures that they adhere well to the pavement, that the brakes work better especially if it rains. When the wheels look smooth or the drawing has little depth it is time to change them.
- In the manual you will find the level of pressure required for the tires, this depends on the car and its weight. At first glance they can be seen even, neither too inflated nor deflated, but if you are going to travel, go to a gas station and check the tire pressure there. Place the value recommended by the manufacturer, the one that appears in the manual, and then with the nozzle of the air hose press on the valve of each wheel until you reach the desired value.
- Check that the spare wheel is in perfect condition.
- Another important control is that of the car lights. Turn them on and check them with the naked eye, the ones in front of the car: high, low and position. Try winks, beacons and fog lights, beacons, check the patent light. If any failure buy the spare part and change it. Inside the car, the lights must work perfectly, check all of them, such as those on the roof or sides of the interior, the trunk and trunk. Check the dashboard lights, they should all work so you don’t have any problems. If something fails go to the electrician in case there is any damage.
- Pay attention to all the strange noises that your car may have since these can be indicators of mechanical damage that cause you greater problems during a trip or at any time.
- Review the necessary papers for any control, car insurance with proof of payment and all the documentation required in the city you live in or the one you are going to.
Tips to do a basic inspection of the car
- If you are going to travel, check that the spare wheel is in perfect condition.
- Check that no safety accessory is missing: fire extinguishers, beacons, jack, wrench to loosen the wheel nuts.
- Check the fluids, tires and lights a few days before leaving so that you have time to make the changes, purchases or replacements that are necessary.
