Shade Tree Automotive Diagnostics and Care, Part I: See No Evil

 

Learning a little more about how to better care for your vehicles is a beneficial idea for any number of reaIt enables you to identify if an unscrupulous mechanic is trying to overcharge for your repairs, which can result in significant cost savings. oney. It can prevent you from making unnecessary repairs, and that will save you money. It can help you locate a problem and fix it early, thus saving more money—sometimes a whole lot of money. It allows you to be more independent in an era where people are entirely too dependent on others to survive.

We must start right away to ensure we have enough time to cover everything.

First, do a visual check of your vehicle. The following information will help you determine where to look and what to look for:

• Look at your tires. Do they look low? A tire pressure gauge, available inexpensively at any discount store or auto parts store, will help you make sure tire pressure stays dead on. Maintain as necessary. Better tire pressure will make your vehicle safer and more fuel efficient. If you really want to stay on top of the air pressure in your tires, discount stores sell some very inexpensive air pumps. Motorcyclists and moped riders need to be exceptionally concerned about their tire pressure.

• Look closely at your tires and inspect for severely worn edges, areas missing chunks of rubber, or objects sticking into the tire. Maintain or replace as necessary. If your tires are relatively new and they seem to be wearing unevenly, take your vehicle into the shop for an alignment and likely a tire rotation. Often, less costly automotive service "specials" combine these two tasks.

• Look under the vehicle for liquids. One drop usually means nothing. Look for consistent drip marks. Remember that during the summer months your vehicle's air conditioning will steadily drip water when in use—no worries. Your coolant system may also spew an occasional bit of water/anti-freeze, and that's okay too. If you find a stain indicating long-term or consistent leaking, trace the leak to its source: engine oil, transmission fluid, rear end oil, etc. Maintain or repair as necessary. Sometimes, simply using a pressure hose at the car wash to get underneath the vehicle can effectively remove years of old oil and debris that often cause 'driveway' leaks, thereby resolving the issue.

• Visually check your engine oil. Check it according to the manufacturer's instructions, and also feel it with your fingers. Engine oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle's power plant. Does the oil feel thick, or does it feel watery? Thick is good, watery is bad! Change watery oil (and be sure to use an Engine Sentry when you do change fluid and filter). Add the appropriate oil if the level registers low. NEVER overfill your oil!

• Check the coolant level. Be sure to use caution and follow the manufacturer's instructions to avoid injury from hot, pressurized liquids. Maintain as necessary. If you haven't had your coolant/anti-freeze checked lately, it might be advisable. Never add coolant or anti-freeze that your vehicle's manufacturer has not recommended. Some radiators require special products so as not to erode or corrode them.

• Visually check your engine compartment. Tighten the caps, firmly tug or test the hose connections, and check for any worn items or items that have blown into the engine compartment. Maintain or repair as necessary. This is also a suitable time to do light engine cleaning. Nothing too serious, just some rags and some degreaser: ammonia and water make a cheap, great degreaser, but it shouldn't be used on aluminum—certainly not left on it. A toothbrush is also an excellent tool here; it makes quick work of much engine debris.

• Visually check your automotive battery and connections. Ensure that the connections at the battery feel tight. If you have green or white buildup on the battery, mix some baking soda with tepid water (1/4 cup of baking soda to one quart of water) and stir it thoroughly. Now, slowly pour it directly over the affected areas. Don't worry about all the fizzing and crackling—it's just cleaning. Ensure that you perform this task in a location where the runoff won't cause any harm. An old toothbrush will make this go faster. When the terminals are clean and dry, apply a thin coating of automotive grease to each battery terminal and connection. Automotive grease comes in small plastic tubs that weigh about a pound each. They're cheap, so get a trustworthy brand name. I use popsicle sticks to spread the grease. Grease is useful to have around for many automotive fixes and preventive maintenance actions.

Okay, you've completed the first steps of becoming a full-fledged automotive diagnostician—or something like that, anyway. You've definitely gotten your vehicle in much better condition, and you should have learned a thing or two. Keep an eye out for Part II—Hear No Evil—and Part III—Smell No Evil.

Engine Sentry is a registered trademark of Iron Horseman Technologies. Iron Horseman Technologies is the trademark of Iron Horseman Technologies in Tucson, Arizona.

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