When they run well, cars are great. Even if you keep your car up to date with oil changes and also regular maintenance, there will be things that require your attention. When they occur, you need to know how to respond.
There are simple solutions that anyone can (and should!) find out, even if they’re not the most car-savvy or mechanically-minded person. Learn how to do it. Here are some tips on auto maintenance that will make you a more confident driver.
How to jumpstart an automobile
Batteries for cars and trucks die. Auto ownership is a fact. By keeping high-quality jumper cables in your trunk you can reduce the risk of a worse situation.
You’ll need the assistance of a friend or stranger to start your car. Make sure that both cars are not running and the ignition as well as brakes are off. If you haven’t done so already, open the hood and also locate your battery. It should be easy to find your battery, which is the rectangular-shaped black thing with red and black terminals at the top.
Remove any plastic caps from the terminals so that they are properly exposed. Follow these steps to securely attach the cords. ):
- Position the red clamp on your jumper cable to the positive terminal of the dead cell. “Red to Dead” is a great tool to remember.
- Connect the other end of red clamp to the positive terminal of your battery. Although this may initially feel frustrating, it is usually safe and secure.
- Place the black clamp on your jumper cable to the negative terminal of the good battery.
- Position the black clip on an unpainted metal surface of your car, such as a steel strut holding your hood up. In order to ground this current and also stay away from any type of triggers it is important to keep this clip faraway from the battery or gas system.
Now it is time for the other driver to start their vehicle. Let it rest for a moment or two before you start your dead car. Do not panic if it doesn’t start immediately! Let it run for a few minutes and then start it again. Allow your car to run for 5 minutes after you get it running. Then, unclip the jumper cables in reverse order.
- Start with the black clamp for unpainted steel.
- Remove the black clip from the assistant vehicle
- Remove the red clip from your assistant vehicle
- Last but not least, remove the red clip on the dead car
It’s important to let your car run for at least 15-20 minutes after removing the clips. It’s common for car batteries to die in the cold, but it could also indicate a failing battery. Consult your warranty and also a service specialist as soon as possible to verify the life of your car battery.
How to change a tire
Auto tires also wear out over time, just like batteries. This is a fact of car ownership and also maintenance. Even though there are steps you can take to increase their life expectancy, such as rotating your tires regularly and also watching their walk, accidents do happen. It can be intimidating to learn how to change a tire if you are a newbie, but it is really easy if you have the appropriate tools and also guidelines. Here’s a detailed guide on how to change a tire, whether you drive over a hole, run over a stone, or puncture a sidewall.
- Turn on your warning lights and also find a safe place. Safety is the priority, so you should never ever hit the brakes when you first recognize that you are level. Instead, slowly lower your speed and also find a straight, level stretch of road in a safe place, such as the side of the road or a parking lot. Other motorists need to see you, and also dangers aid show that. Avoid changing a tire in the path of approaching traffic. Your safety is more important than your edge when driving with a blowout.
- Stop, use the hand brake and also use wheel wedges. You should use your brakes after you have found a safe, level area. If you have wheel wedges, use them. Otherwise, blocks or large rocks will suffice. If you have a level in the rear, place wedges there; if it’s in front, put wedges at the back.
- Remove the hubcap and loosen the lug nuts. Remove wheel covers or hubcaps if your wheels are covered. Use the flat end of your lug-wrench to remove the hubcap. After you remove the hubcaps or covers, it is time to loosen the lug nuts. Use your lug wrench, which is usually found in the trunk of the car, to turn the lug nut counterclockwise. This will reduce the resistance. At this stage, do not remove them completely!
- Raise your car with the jack. Place your auto jack under the vehicle structure, on the side where the puncture is. Consult your owner’s manual to confirm the correct placement. While many cars have a metal space for the jack, you should still consult the guidebook. Before raising your car, place a piece of wood under the jack to keep it in place. Once you’ve placed the jack correctly, it is time to raise the car. During this process, make sure to not place anything under the vehicle.
- Remove the tire by loosening the lugnuts. Now that you have actually loosened the lugnuts, it is time to remove them totally. Holding the tire by its treads, gently pull it towards your body until the entire tire is removed. Set it down on its side and also move to the next step.
- Mount your extra tire. Locate your extra tire in the trunk of your car or under the vehicle. Position it carefully on the middle, aligning the edges with the lug screw. Slide it carefully onto the lug screws. Place the lug nuts on the screws and tighten them manually. You’ll tighten the screws in the future, just like you did before.
- Lower the car and tighten the lug nuts. Slowly lower the vehicle so that the extra tire is on the ground. Tighten the lug nut as high as possible with your wrench. Remove the jack and lower the car to the ground.
Once you’ve secured the extra tire to your car, it is time to replace the hubcap. You can also clean up and save all of your tools. Order your puncture. It may be repairable by an auto mechanic. You should also check the pressure of your spare tire. Donuts (also known as temporary tires) are not designed to travel at high speeds or long distances. You should immediately visit your favorite auto mechanic or dealer to have them examine the damage.
How to check your liquids and also alter them
Like gas, liquids are essential to the maintenance of your automobile. They keep it running smoothly and efficiently. Some liquids require routine maintenance, while others need to be checked every 50,000 kilometers. Some liquids are easy to check and also fill up at your local gas station. Windscreen wiper fluid is one of the first liquids that runs out, but it’s also among the easiest to refill. You can buy a container of liquid at a nearby gas station or auto store. Just put it in your storage tank and you’re on your way.
You can easily check your engine oil yourself. Oil keeps your engine components rotating smoothly. Regardless of the exact gas mileage, oil should be changed between 3,000 and 5,000 miles. It’s easy to check your oil. Most cars come with a dipstick to check the oil level. Oil changes are a vital part of vehicle efficiency, so it’s important to keep track.
Transmission liquid, air conditioning liquid, brake fluid, and also coolant are all liquids that require less frequent examinations. However, they’re still important components of modern automobiles as well. These liquids are usually checked during a regular tune-up. It is important to keep an eye on them. Consult your manual to ensure you are checking your liquid levels at the right intervals. If you have any type of questions, contact a reputable auto mechanic.
How to replace your engine air filter
You may have been asked if you want the mechanic to change your air filter during an oil alteration or routine maintenance check. It’s not a bad idea, but it is costly. You can do it yourself if you know how.
- Locate the engine air filters under the hood. This is a black box that sits either on top of or next to the engine. A large tube will extend from the side of your engine.
- Remove the old airfilter by opening the air filter housing. (Be careful when removing the real estate cover, as it may have a circuitry harness and electric elements attached to it). To protect the real estate of the air filter, you can use screws, clips, clamps or wing nuts. Use the appropriate device and also remember the type of bolts used. To release the air-filter housing, remove the bolts and also the top part of the air-filter real estate. Also, remove the air filter. Dustcloths can be used to remove any dust or particles which have accumulated in the property.
- Examine the old engine air filters and determine if they are dirty or need to be replaced. It’s time to replace the air filter if you see a lot of dust in the pleats. When you touch the filter, dust will elope. It’s time to replace it.
- Place the new engine air filter in the filter box with the rubber edge facing up. Make sure it is seated properly.
- Replace the top of real estate and all bolts.
How to change the front lights
It’s not only dangerous, but it’s also illegal to drive without working front lights. Your car is more vulnerable to accidents due to the reduced visibility (you and also other motorists). This makes the road you travel on less safe. To avoid being pulled over or causing an accident, it is important to change your front lights immediately when they start to fail. It’s not just about regular maintenance, but it’s also important to be able to drive while traveling.
You should use safety handwear covers and also safety glasses during this installation to protect your hands and face. You’ll need to be protected as you will likely be handling delicate light bulbs and also possibly entering into restricted rooms.
- If you’re changing one light bulb, it’s a good idea to change both. This will save you time and also ensure that you are looking at the same illumination when you travel.
- While most cars use different bulbs for the low beam and the high beam, some cars only have one. For reassurance, check this or contact a repair manual for your vehicle.
- Here you will find the most variations. Many front lights have easy-to remove mountings that can be removed by removing a few screws. You can also remove the bulbs by laying down the front light setup on the fascia.
- You can only reach other bulbs by going through the wheel well. To get to the bulb, you have to pull the wheel back and also remove it. After that, replace the lightbulb, then reinstall the wheel cover. This might need some tools. You can usually remove some cases by lifting the hood. It’s not always that simple. In order to reach some of the bulbs, it might be necessary to remove something. This time, an air filter housing. It could be the coolant tank or battery in various other automobiles. If you have the problem, you can just remove what you need, replace the bulb and also change what you got.
- Use a pocket screwdriver to help loosen the clip that holds the plug of the light bulb. This can be difficult, especially if your car is older.
- Simply turn the lightbulb counterclockwise in your hands. After the tabs have been straightened, you can pull it out.
- Your automobile’s high and low light beam bulbs may have different component numbers. Typically, the reduced light beam will be displayed by most. An auto mechanic can help you if you forget.
- Line up the tabs and also turn a quarter-turn clockwise until you hear a click. Do this individually to avoid confusion about whether you are changing a low or high light beam.
- After installing the light bulbs, activate the front lights and cycle through the low beams of lights.
You can count on roadside assistance protection
We hope these tips are helpful, but there are certain auto issues you cannot expect. Let’s face it, we sometimes forget to inflate our tires or neglect to check our jumper cables. Auto maintenance is often required when we least expect it. The modern Real-time Roadside Assistance protection from Cars and Truck is the answer. This coverage helps our customers get quick, safe, and also high-quality upkeep service when they need it the most. We can help with any type of issue, whether it’s a flat tire, a battery failure, or gas. Visit our website to learn more about our Real-time Roadside Aid and also our other services, or log in to your account to add it to your plan!