Who doesn’t love their ride? Whether it’s brand spanking new or a little ‘beat up’ as we say in local parlance, we don’t care. After all, it helps us reach from A to B. There are occasions when we may experience moments of unreliability. However, the convenience of having a vehicle far outweighs any momentary issues. Also, most problems can be curtailed with proper car care.

Although there seems to be a significant number of new vehicles on the roads, some of us have no choice but to keep our old ones. Still, one thing remains true for any vehicle: it must be maintained well. By taking good care of your car, you can prolong its use.

As you do so, you’ll notice that some parts need to be checked and replaced more frequently than others. For example, you need to check air filters quarterly but lubricants monthly. Undoubtedly, your mechanic should do the highly technical maintenance aspects, but there are rudimentary checks you can do for yourself. Your safety and that of your passengers and other drivers depends on it. Also, doing so will help you know your vehicle.

In this article, we are exploring ways to take care of your vehicle. Here are five quick checks that you can do yourself.

Five Quick Car Checks You Can Do

Wheel or lug nuts. These are easily overlooked. However, just like every other component on your vehicle, they experience wear and tear. Over time, moisture and corrosion can cause your wheel nuts to swell or rust. Also, damaged or worn mating surfaces can make them difficult to tighten. Inspect your wheel nuts regularly to make sure they are damaged or loose. Your wheels should be fastened securely to avoid accidents.

Tyres. Correct pressure is not the only reason to check your tyres. Of course, you should examine them every few weeks for loss of pressure. Still, it’s equally important to make sure your tyre thread has the proper depth and balance. It’s a good idea to rotate tyres regularly to even out wear. When you do this, pay attention to irregular or uneven wear because it could mean an alignment issue.

Suspension. We know this is complicated, and hiring a professional to fix your car’s suspension is best. However, a lopsided appearance or pulling to one side are signs that something is wrong. Try using the bounce test. Press the bonnet with all your weight and let go. Excessive bounce (more than three) is another sign that there’s a problem.  

Functional fluids. Clean and uncontaminated fluids help your car run smoothly and stay cool. The owner’s manual should tell you how often to change your engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid. You can also consult your mechanic on how frequently servicing should be scheduled. Additionally, you should do quick checks to maintain the correct levels. Top up as you need to. Also, check your oil for grit and debris because these things signal it’s time for a change.

Battery. We spoke of keeping it simple, so we’ll avoid the technical stuff here. First, check your headlights to see if your battery is healthy. If they are dimmer than they should be, your battery might be low. Also, look for corrosion because it can affect battery performance and shorten its life. 

Sources: Brindley and KwikFit.