Here are 6 easy things that you can do at home before going on the road this season:
1) Before opening the hood of your engine, look under the vehicle and inspect for any type of fluid drippage under the vehicle.
If you do find fluid under the vehicle take note of the color and the size of the puddle. Report your finding to your repair facility and ask for recommendation.
2) Walk around your vehicle and inspect all four tires.
Make sure it is properly filled and the surface of the tire has treads on it. (Refer to owner manual as to the proper tire pressure.)
3) Check the coolant level in your radiator and reserve tank.
Note: Only check your coolant level when your engine is COLD. Note: Never attempt to open any coolant cap when engine is hot or even warm. When locating the coolant fill container, refer to your owner manual or ask your personal automotive repair facility. When the engine temperature is cold, the coolant level should be at the full mark as indicated on the external plastic coolant tank. If you are able to unsecure the radiator cap, the coolant level should be at the top rim of the radiator fill neck. If the coolant level is not at the appropriate level, it would be recommended to top it off with distilled water. Make sure you secure the radiator or external coolant tank with the appropriate fill cap.
Coolant Fill Tank located under the hood.
4) Check your engine oil level by locating the oil dipstick.
The engine should be in a non-running condition when checking the oil level. If you are unable to locate the dipstick, refer to your owner manual. Before removing the dip stick from the oil dip stick tube it is recommend to get a shop towel or some sort of material to wipe the oil off the dip stick on the initial check. Reinsert the dipstick in the dipstick tube and pull the stick out of the tube. The engine oil level should be at the top full mark or within the cross mark etched into the stick. If the level were below the mark it, would be recommended to refill the oil with the recommended oil weight. (Refer to owner manual for replacement type of oil.
Under no condition should you overfill the engine. If the condition of the oil seems thick or muddy, have your repair facility service your oil and filter as soon as possible.
The color of the oil dip stick would vary from red to yellow as shown in photo.
The Oil level on the dipstick should be at the second dot on the stick as shown.
It is not recommended to overfill the oil above the second dot on the dipstick. If the oil level is slightly lower than the second dot, this would be acceptable.
5) Locate your battery and inspect the surface of the battery.
Before attempting to service your battery it is recommended to wear an eye protection for your safety. It is common to find corrosion on the positive or negative pole. Depending of the corrosion washing the battery pole with tap water may not help. Additional scrubbing may be required. After cleaning and drying the surface of the battery, locate the battery caps. Note: Not all batteries have fill caps. These caps are located on the top surface of the battery. If caps are not located, you may have a battery that is not serviceable. For those that have service caps, remove the caps and inspect battery fluid level. If the level is below the second ring located in the service port, refill with distilled water. Do not overfill or get fluid in your eye or fender. Should you get fluid into your eye, flush your affected eye with tap water and call your physician as soon as possible. Should you get it on your paint, wash it down with tap water as soon as possible. Reinstall battery cap and wash down battery holder.
Fill hole located on the top of the battery
Acid Corrosion on the Battery Terminal
6) Lastly, locate brake fluid tank.
(Refer to owner manual for location and recommended fluid type.) On the brake fluid tank, locate the fill mark and inspect condition and note the fluid level. If the brake fluid level is very low, report this finding to your service facility. Brake fluid should never be low or empty. This is an indication of low brake lining or leakage. Recommend to service brake ASAP.
Brake Fluid fill tank located on driver side firewall
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