Dotterer's Auto Service

Maintaining Cars Fluids Tips:

Your vehicle has a lot of different fluids running through it to keep it working properly. Keeping an eye on these vital fluids and maintaining them at healthy levels will increase driving performance and help to reduce maintenance costs.

While many car repairs require a skilled professional, maintaining the levels of essential car fluids is easy and possible for even the most automotive repair-challenged drivers. Knowing which fluids you can easily maintain yourself can save you a lot of money and headaches in the long run, so consider the following six important car fluids that should be maintained as recommended.

1. Engine Oil

Checking and changing oil is critical to keep your engine running properly and efficiently. Check the oil level with the engine off and the car parked on a level surface. After opening the hood, remove the dipstick and wipe it clean with a rag or cloth. Then, return it to the oil reservoir. Take it out again and see if the level is within the acceptable range marked on the dipstick. If you’re adding oil, be sure to not overfill, as this can damage the engine.

Most car manufacturers provide guidelines for changing the lubricant – typically, every 3,000 miles or three to six months.

2. Transmission Fluid

Checking the automatic transmission fluid is another vital item on the car maintenance checklist. Find the transmission fluid dipstick and follow the same steps as monitoring the engine oil, but this time while the engine is running. If the fluid appears brown or has a burnt smell, have it checked immediately.

Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for changing transmission fluid, usually about every 30,000 miles.

3. Power Steering Fluid

If you have a power steering fluid reservoir, check the level visually; otherwise, follow the dipstick method. The fluid should stay level, so if you need to add fluid, have it checked as soon as possible for a leak.

Power steering fluid should typically be changed every three years or 50,000 miles.

4. Brake Fluid

Most, if not all, vehicles on the road today have a brake fluid reservoir that allows you to see through so you can check the fluid level without opening the cap. Once you locate the brake fluid reservoir, you will see markings on the side that tell you if you need to add any brake fluid. If your brake pads are starting to wear, the brake fluid level will drop. If the fluid drops below two-thirds full, you may want to have it checked.

5. Coolant

When you check the coolant, make sure your car has had time to cool down. Locate the coolant reservoir (usually a translucent plastic tank) and eyeball the level of the coolant against the full and low indicators. The engine can be damaged from overheating, so make sure that the reserve tank contains adequate coolant and never allow your car to redline.

Replace most engine coolant or antifreeze every 30,000 miles – or every two to three years. Newer formulas, however, may last up to 50,000 miles.

6. Windshield Washer Fluid

You can check the windshield washer fluid level by looking at the marker on the opaque chamber or by looking into the reservoir. Check the wiper fluid reservoir every week or so and keep it full.

By taking the time to periodically check these fluids, a car will enjoy a healthy and safe level of operation.

 

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Maintaining Your Suspension

A suspension in a car is a set of shock absorbers and spring coils which maintain the balance of car body even, if there are high bounces or pits. Suspensions of the car are also the necessary element which helps in stopping the car. Thus, the suspension play a vital role in a car and if a proper and regular suspension check is been done, you can get rid of many future arriving alignment problems that cost too high. Here are the three major procedures that you should follow in order to keep yourcar’s suspension swift and healthy:-

Suspension Maintenance: – Always ensure that you get the shock absorbers and the wheel alignment checked from an auto expert or certified mechanic who knows well how to deal with your car model. A presence of a wise mechanic is also needed as suspensions systems are based on many calculations to keep the overall suspension system balanced. In case you alone want to check the suspension, ensure that you go through the measurements given in the owner’s manual for the particular suspension parts. At the time of suspension maintenance check you should figure out if the car leans forward while braking or turning. Also test if there is any sort of asymmetric drive in tyres, as this can be due to improper tyre fitting or unbalanced alignment.

Inspection of Shock absorbers: – Shock absorbers are the major elements of proper or improper suspension functioning, hence, absorbers shouldn’t be neglected. Most often, the shock absorbers are checked in a time span of three to five years according to the manufacturer. While checking the absorbers, see if there are any leaks, cracks or jerks in the absorbers. If you find any leaks or cracks, it is time to mend the absorbers.

Checking the working of suspensions: – There are few simple testing tasks that you can perform in order to check the functioning of suspensions. Take your vehicle to an uneven road, switch off the music or radio system and open the windows, try to listen the sounds coming from the wheels. If there is a squeaking sound coming from the wheels, then the suspensions need to be lubricated or must be replaced. If you hear loud clunking sound, then the suspensions need to be greased. If there are some vibrations coming from the wheels, check if the tyres are properly inflated or not as an under inflated tyre might damage the alignment or suspensions. After the tyres are inflated, check if the vibration occurs again or not. If it happens again, then you need to reset the alignment from an expert mechanic.

 

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Check Your Belts and Hoses

 

The belts and hosesin your vehicle perform crucial tasks. Hoses carry coolant, fuel, brake fluid and air. Belts drive accessories such as your alternator and water pump. All systems in your automobile depend on belts and hoses to get the job done. If a belt or hose fails you could be left stranded, or worse. Don't spend thousands on repairs because of a ten dollar hose failure. Inspect your belts and hoses once a month.

Never assume a belt or hose is ok by sight alone. Pinch hoses and check for spongy, sticky or dry and brittle material. Turn belts over and inspect for cracking or fraying. Here are six easy steps to check your belts and hoses:

Step 1: Late model vehicles use serpentine belts. This single belt runs all engine driven accessories. Look for missing ribs, fraying, cracking or cords showing through as pictured here.

Step 2: Older vehicles use v-belts. Inspect v-belts by turning belt over so the bottom of the v is facing you. Look for cracking or glazing.

Step 3: Inspect upper and lower radiator hoses by pinching. Hoses should be flexible and not sticky. Also, look for swelling where hoses connect to the radiator or engine.

Step 4: Under hood hoses perform a variety of tasks. These two hoses carry power steering fluid between the reservoir and the pump.

Step 5: This hose shows typical swelling. If your radiator hose looks like this, replace it immediately.

Step 6: Inspect hose clamps. Make sure clamps are secure and there is no leaking around the hose and clamp junction.