Five weekly car checks that every owner must do

Yes today’s cars have sensors that detect even the smallest of glitches. However, these electronic systems are not something you can rely on all the time. Here are 5 things that you must check on your car on a weekly basis atleast.

Engine oil level

Every car comes with an engine oil lamp that comes on when the engine oil becomes low. But there is no need to wait for the engine oil light to come on to know that something is wrong. There are certain cars that have a tendency to consume more engine oil, especially when there is a lot of heat & traffic. Checking the engine oil is a fairly simple process. Before setting off, open the bonnet, find the dipstick that is sticking out of the engine block. Pull the dipstick out. The dipstick has markings on it that show the various limits (high/low). Before checking the level, clean the dipstick & re-insert it into the engine to get an accurate reading. Then pull it out & see the level.

Ensure that this is done on a cold engine. If you are running low, top up the engine oil with whatever grade is mentioned in the manual. Running with low engine oil could cause damage to the engine & could cause it to seize.

Brake fluid level

While checking the engine oil, one more thing you should be checking is the brake fluid level. The reservoir is located in the engine compartment. There is a minimum & maximum level mentioned on the container between which the fluid level should be maintained. In ideal circumstances, the brake fluid should not get consumed. If the fluid level is reducing, there may be a leak in the brake line or braking system. Running a car with low brake fluid could result in the pedal sinking into the floor & the car not stopping.

Coolant level

The rising heat in the country takes a toll on the cars as well. It is only the coolant that protects the engine from heating up. There is a separate reservoir where you can check the coolant level. In most cars, you can see through the level of coolant through the reservoir. Ensure that the coolant level is between the minimum & maximum mark. In case the reservoir isn’t see through, ensure that you open the cap only when the engine is cool. Coolant is stored under pressurized conditions & opening the cap on a hot engine will cause the coolant to spray out which could injure you. Running with low coolant could cause the engine to over heat & leave you stranded on the road.

Tyres

We would recommend that you get your tyre pressures checked every week. But tyre pressure is not the only reason why we mentioned this point. You should visually inspect your tyres to see if there is any bubble or damage to the tyre. A bubble or a crack could lead to a tyre burst at higher speeds. Also ensure that there is enough tread left on the tyres.

Any leakage under the car

Our road conditions aren’t really good and there is a high possibility of scraping your car on an undulation or bump. In most cases, this shouldn’t be a problem, however we recommend you check under your car for any dripping fluid which could suggest a leak. Do this without having the AC on as water drips from the AC unit & might get you confused.