#1: The Top Seven Issues To Check Before Going On A Road Trip
Before heading off on a road trip, it is important to check some items. By checking these things, you can be sure to have a safe trip.
– Car engine oil
– Car battery condition
– Car tyre condition
– Windscreen wipers and washer fluid
– Transmission and power steering fluid
– Taillights, headlights and the different indicators
#2: The Most Effective Way To Check Your Cooling System And Radiator
When checking the radiator and cooling system in a car, it is important that you do not remove the radiator cap when the engine is warm. Allow the engine to cool for a few hours before removing a radiator cap. This ensures there are no injuries to your body.
Checking the radiator coolant or liquid is a simple task. In fact, it’s as easy as checking the fluid level in the plastic overflow bottles in cars. Ideally, the radiator coolant level must be between the low and high markings.
When the engine has cooled, you can safely remove the radiator cap and review the level in the car radiator. If the level is too low, you can top up the radiator with coolant recommended by the NRMA or vehicle manufacturer.
#3: Checking The Car Engine Oil
The first step to effectively checking the car’s engine oil level is to park the vehicle on level ground. Begin the engine, allow it to run for a short time and then turn it off.
While the engine is warm, remove the oil dipstick and wipe it clean using a paper towel or clean cloth – no clothes! Insert the dipstick into the engine ensuring it is fully inserted. A partially inserted dipstick will provide false readings. After insertion, remove the dipstick and check the oil levels.
Ideally, oil levels should be between high and low markings. If the oil level is too low, you should top up the oil; however, you must read the car owner’s manual before choosing the oil. Specific cars have specific oil grades and you want to use the correct grade to avoid any engine damage. Do not start the engine if the dipstick shows there is no oil! Engines without any oil can seize causing damage to the car. Moreover, the damage can be extremely costly to repair.
#4: Review The Vehicle’s Tyre Pressure And Condition
If the car tyres do not have the correct pressure level, it can make the car dangerous to drive and reduces the life of the tyres.
Details for the correct tyre pressure can be found on the tyre placard which is typically found inside a vehicle’s front door. If you cannot find the information, it is recommended that you read the owner’s manual. It is also good practice to keep a basic mechanical or pneumatic tyre pressure gauge in the car. While you can check the pressure gauge at service stations, the gauge may not give you accurate information.
Another point to review is the tyre tread. The legal minimum tyre tread depth is 1.5 mm on any part of the tyre surface. It is advised that you replace the tyres before they reach this minimum tread depth.
#5: Reviewing The Car Battery Condition
If the car battery has caps, you must remove the caps and check the fluid is deep enough to ensure the places are completely immersed. Certain car batteries do not have any removable caps but use an indicator on the exterior of the case. This indicator helps you check the battery health easily, quickly and effectively.
#6: The Power Steering And Transmission Fluids
The best way of checking the vehicle’s transmission and power steering fluid differs according to the car make and model. You can find out how to check these fluid levels by consulting the owner’s manual. Low fluid levels can often indicate leaks in the system and should be reviewed by a professional mechanic immediately.
#7: Maintaining The Windscreen Washer Fluid And Wipers
Maintaining washer fluid involves filling the washer bottle with the correct amount of windscreen-washer additive in clean water. Do not use any household detergents as this can cause damage to the wiper blades.
If the wiper blades are not operating correctly or are split, they must be replaced.
#8: Reviewing The Indicators, Headlights And Taillights
It is important to have working lights to ensure safe travel; however, this issue is often ignored. Walls and glass windows can help identify any faulty lights or indicators as the car will reflect these lights in the glass or wall. Of course, you can always ask someone to view the car when you test the headlights, taillights and indicators.