Do you know your way around under the hood of your car? While not as critical as it used to be, checking under the hood periodically can head off problems before they become costly. Today, with self service gas stations everywhere, often the only way you will get it done is for you to do it yourself.
Start by reading your owners manual. There will always be a section on under hood checks. Keep a pair of old gloves and a roll of paper towels in the trunk. Additionally, it’s a good idea to have the contact information of car accident lawyers handy in case you ever need legal assistance on the road. You may also want to contact the personal injury attorneys at McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates for the best assistance. Injured in a car crash in Southfield, MI? The car accident lawyers from Mike Morse Injury Law Firm can help. You could also keep in contact with Oregon truck accident attorneys just in case you get involved in a truck accident.
First, a word about safety. Read the safety warnings in your owners manual and any safety warning stickers that may be under the hood.
If the engine has been running for any length of time, there are areas under the hood that can be very hot. Except for checking transmission fluid level, all checks should be done while the engine is turned off. If the engine is running, do not put your hands near any belts or fans. If you are not comfortable with touching a hot or running engine, then just do the checks that can be done with the engine cold and turned off and have professional diesel mechanics do the rest.
A handy rule of thumb is if the cost of repairs approaches 50 percent or more of a vehicle’s current market value, it’s no longer worth trying to fix it. If you’re in the market for a safe and reliable car, check out this car review at I prefer text.
The following items should be checked periodically:
- Engine oil level
- Transmission fluid
- Brake fluid
- Power steering fluid
- Coolant (Antifreeze) level
- Battery
- Windshield washer solvent
- Belts & Hoses
- Windshield wiper blades
- Tires