Things You'll Need:
- Paper or shop towels
- Tire gauge
- Funnel
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Step 1
See if the oil level is good. With the engine off, pull out the dipstick and clean it with a towel. Note the marks that indicate when it's full and when you need to add oil. Reinsert the clean dipstick, remove it and check the level. Take your car for service if your car suddenly needs oil frequently, if it's foamy or if it smells of gasoline.
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Step 2
Check the transmission fluid. This is done in the same way as checking the oil, but with the engine running and warm. Take care to add fluid a pint at a time to avoid overfilling, and only use the type of fluid listed in your owner's manual. Take your car in for service if the fluid is brown or muddy-looking. If you have a manual transmission, skip this step.
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Step 3
Verify you have adequate brake fluid. Most cars have a transparent reservoir that will allow you to see the level without using a dipstick. It's normal to add brake fluid as your brakes become worn, but if the level drops suddenly, take your car in for service as soon as possible. Never add anything but brake fluid, and don't leave the brake fluid bottled uncovered between fillings.
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Step 4
Use the dipstick attached to the cap of the power steering fluid reservoir to check the level. It shouldn't fluctuate more than the marks on the dipstick indicate is normal. If you have to add power steering fluid more than once a year, take your car in for service. If you don't have power steering, skip this step.
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Step 5
Check the coolant level. Take care not to open the radiator cap while the engine is hot. Instead, look at the reserve tank. You'll see two marks for "full cold" and "full hot." Add coolant when the engine is cold, and if you have to add coolant often, take your car in for service.
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Step 6
Ensure that the top of the battery is dry and the terminals are tight and not corroded. If the battery looks bad, have it checked at an auto parts store that offers this service.
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Step 7
Level off the windshield washer fluid. This is something that will need to be refilled frequently if you often use it to wash your windshield. You can dilute the fluid with water (it will clean better), but in the winter use it full strength.
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Step 8
Replace your windshield wiper blades if they are worn. You don't want to wait until you're trying to drive in heavy rain to discover you should have changed them.
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Step 9
Measure tire pressure and check the tread. Your owner's manual will tell you how much pressure each should have. Always check the pressure when the tires are cold. If you don't have a tire gauge, use the gauge that's attached to the air hose you are using at a gas station. While you're checking the tire pressure, take a look at the tires to see if they're damaged.
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Step 1
Get your oil changed. Your owner's manual will tell you how often you need to do this, and it wouldn't hurt to do it more frequently. Skipping even one oil change can result in serious damage to your engine, and your car's warranty won't cover the repairs. Keep your receipts.
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Step 2
Have your tires rotated. You may have heard that if you do this, you'll have to buy four tires at a time instead of two. However, if you don't rotate your tires, you'll ultimately buy more tires, and your car won't handle as well. It's especially important to rotate tires on front wheel drive cars.
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Step 3
Schedule a wheel alignment with every other oil change and whenever the car is handling strangely. This extends the life of your tires.
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Step 4
Keep your car serviced as prescribed in your owner's manual. It's best to go to the dealer for this. You will pay more, but the mechanics have been specially trained on your car and follow industry quality standards. Have the mechanic sign off in your maintenance book if you have one.
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Step 5
Get your cooling system flushed to prevent corrosion from causing your car to overheat. You may also want to replace your thermostat and radiator cap every 60,000 miles. This is commonly called winterizing your car.
