Car Maintenance Checklist

The meaning of ‘car maintenance’ is not the same for all cars. In order to get detailed information on how to maintain your car, check your owner’s manual or consult your local dealer. Engine oil and Transmission fluid check are some of the more basic items in simple car maintenance checklist.

Check Engine Oil:

An engine oil check is included in every car maintenance checklist. Engine oil can be checked by stopping the engine after placing the car at a level spot. Pull out the engine oil dipstick, and then insert it back into its place after wiping it with a clean piece of cloth or tissue.

Pull it out again and check the level. If the oil is little bit below the ‘FULL’ mark, that’s ok, but it’s better to keep it up to the mark. Also, check the condition of the oil. Slightly-brown coloration of oil is acceptable. The oil should be changed it if it has gone black. If the engine oil appears white, then coolant is mixing with it and you should get your car inspected.

How should I top up the engine oil?

Using the same engine oil (type and brand) as the one in your engine is better. Add a small quantity of oil, and wait for a minute to let it pour down. Use the dipstick to check the level. Add more oil if required, but make sure you don’t overfill it. Adding an engine oil check to your car maintenance checklist will make sure that you always have the required amount in your car.

Check Transmission fluid:

Checking the transmission fluid is also something that you should include in your car maintenance checklist. For checking the transmission fluid, the car should be placed on a level surface and the parking brake should be engaged.

Start the engine, set transmission shifter in park position and let the engine idle. (Check your owner’s manual to see if the procedure is the same for your car). Take out the transmission dipstick and wipe it off.

Check the fluid level by inserting it again and pulling it out. For a cold engine, the level should be within the ‘COLD’ levels, and it should be at the upper end of the ‘HOT’ mark for a car that is fully warmed up. You don’t need to add more fluid if the level is just a little bit below full. The color of the transmission fluid is red when new. It changes to brownish over time. See your owner’s manual for information about brownish transmission fluid, maybe it’s time to buy some new fluid. According to some manufacturers, transmission fluid should be changed when your car has completed thirty thousand miles; others say that it will last the life of the car-see what’s written in your owner’s manual.

How should I top up the transmission fluid?

If you’re adding a transmission fluid check in your car maintenance check list, you should make sure that you choose the right transmission fluid, because picking the wrong fluid can result in total loss of transmission. Use the dipstick pipe to add a small quantity of fluid. Let it flow down and recheck the level again. Avoid overfilling as it can also result in transmission issues. ‘Check transmission fluid’ on your car maintenance checklist will help you maintain the required amount of fluid.

A car specific a car maintenance checklist can be prepared with the help of the car owner’s manual or local dealer.

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