Beginner’s Guide to Car Maintenance

The lights on your car play a crucial role in ensuring visibility during nighttime or bad weather conditions, as well as signaling your presence to other vehicles and pedestrians. Faulty lights increase the risk of accidents, making regular checks necessary.

How to Check:

1. Headlights

Park your car in front of a wall in a dark space and turn on the headlights. Check if the light beams are evenly distributed and aligned correctly. Any dim or misaligned beams may indicate bulb wear.

2. Blinkers and Brake Lights

Ask someone to assist you or use reflections to check whether the indicators flash correctly and brake lights activate when pressing the brake pedal. Fast blinking indicators often signal a bulb is about to fail.

3. Tail Lights

Ensure these are functioning properly to make your car visible to vehicles behind you, particularly at night.

Pro Tip:

• The type of bulbs differs depending on the vehicle model, so refer to your owner's manual to select the correct specifications.

• If the light covers are yellowed or cloudy, polishing them with a dedicated cleaner can restore the brightness. Neglecting this can lead to needing a full light unit replacement, so take care of it promptly.

• Although HID and LED lights have a long lifespan, internal component failure can lead to expensive replacement costs. Regular inspections are crucial to detect any issues early.

Tires are the only part of your car in direct contact with the road, making them crucial for safety. Poorly maintained tires can compromise handling and braking, especially in wet conditions.

How to Check:

1. Air Pressure

Check the tire pressure using a pressure gauge at a gas station, referencing the recommended value listed on the label on the vehicle’s doorframe or in the owner’s manual. It is recommended to measure tire pressure once a month.

2. Tread Depth

Use a depth gauge or look for the tire’s slip indicators to check tread depth. Insert the depth gauge into the tread—if it measures less than 1.6 mm, the tire needs to be replaced.[JK1]  Additionally, slip indicators are located near the triangular marks on the tire’s sidewall. If the tread reaches the same height as the slip indicator, it’s a sign the tire has reached its lifespan. Regularly check your tires to maintain safe driving conditions.

3. Surface Condition

Look for cracks or embedded foreign objects on the tire surface. Nails or pebbles lodged in the tread could cause a puncture while driving, resulting in hazardous situations.

Pro Tip:

• Inspect all tires, including the spare, before embarking on long journeys. Check their air pressure and condition. After using the spare tire, ensure you switch back to the original tire as soon as possible and perform maintenance promptly.

• Regular tire rotations help equalize wear between front and rear tires, extending their overall lifespan. The recommended interval for tire rotation is every 10,000 kilometers.

Wipers are essential components for maintaining clear visibility while driving in rain. Poor visibility can delay reaction times and significantly increase the risk of accidents. Continued use of degraded wipers can lead to hardened rubber, which may scratch the windshield; therefore, regular maintenance is crucial.

Additionally, if the windshield isn’t properly cleaned, the wipers may not glide smoothly, leading to streaks or noise. This makes it important to not only maintain the wipers themselves but also to clean the windshield regularly.

How to Check:

1. Check Washer Fluid Levels

Start by spraying washer fluid onto the windshield and check if the spray pattern is even. Ideally, the washer fluid should spray uniformly in a mist-like form. If the nozzle is clogged, clean it with a thin needle or specialized cleaning tool.

2. Inspecting the Wiper Blades

Gently run your hand over the rubber part of the wiper blade and check for cracks or hardening. If the rubber feels stiff, it may cause noise or streaks on the glass. Replace the wiper rubber if necessary.

3. Test Blade Movement

Activate the wipers and observe if they wipe the entire windshield smoothly and without snagging. If streaking or water droplets remain, it’s a sign of wear and tear.

Pro Tip:

• It’s generally recommended to replace wipers every 6 to 12 months. Using worn-out wipers can damage your windshield, which could lead to costly repairs. To avoid this, replace degraded wiper blades promptly.

• Always use designated washer fluids. Using tap water might lead to calcium buildup and clogging

A properly functioning cooling system prevents engine overheating, which can lead to extensive and expensive damage. This is especially critical during hot weather or in traffic jams when the engine tends to heat up quickly. Regularly check the coolant level and the condition of the cooling hoses to ensure the system is working efficiently.

How to Check:

1. Coolant Levels

Ensure the engine is cool before inspecting. Confirm that the coolant level is between the "Low" and "Full" markers on the reservoir tank. If the level is below "Low," refill using the appropriate coolant.

2. Inspect Hoses

Visually check the cooling hoses and their connections for cracks, bulges, or leaks. Leaking coolant may give off a sweet smell in the engine bay, which is a key indicator of an issue.

3. Radiator Cap

Inspect the rubber seal on the radiator cap for signs of deterioration. If such wear is noted, replace the cap. A degraded cap can compromise the pressure balance of the entire cooling system, leading to poor cooling performance.

Pro Tip:

• Coolant typically needs to be replaced every 2–3 years. 

• Always ensure the engine is completely cool before opening the radiator cap. 

• Opening it while the engine is warm can release coolant under high pressure, which might spray out and cause burns. 

• Always use coolant recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer. 

• Avoid substituting it with tap water.

Your car’s battery supplies the power to start the engine and operate all electrical components. A failing battery can leave you stranded unexpectedly.

How to Check:

1. Terminal Corrosion

Visually inspect the battery terminals for white, powdery corrosion. If you notice corrosion, use a dedicated brush to remove it. Using a neutral detergent can improve effectiveness.

2. Measure Voltage

Using a voltmeter, ensure the battery reads at least 12.6 volts. A lower reading might indicate the battery is weakening.

3. Monitor Performance

When starting the engine, if the starter motor turns weakly or the sound is delayed, it may be a sign that the battery is weakening.

Pro Tip:

• The average lifespan of a standard battery is about 2–3 years. However, auxiliary batteries found in hybrid cars may last 4–5 years.

• When replacing the battery, always remove the terminal in the order of the negative (-) terminal first. If the order is incorrect, there’s a risk of a short circuit.

• If your car is not used for an extended period, natural discharge can lower the voltage. To prevent this, aim to drive the car every few weeks to recharge the battery. 

• If you frequently take short trips, the battery may not charge sufficiently, so it’s recommended to occasionally go on longer drives to ensure proper charging.