Find the cap on your engine, usually labeled “Oil” and find the dipstick that should be close by on the engine block. Do this when the engine’s had a chance to cool down, or do it first thing in the morning to get the most accurate reading. Remove the dipstick and wipe off the oil with a paper towel or rag. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/f/f8/Perform-a-Basic-Tune-up-for-Your-Car-Step-1Bullet1. jpg/v4-460px-Perform-a-Basic-Tune-up-for-Your-Car-Step-1Bullet1. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/f/f8/Perform-a-Basic-Tune-up-for-Your-Car-Step-1Bullet1. jpg/aid1324708-v4-728px-Perform-a-Basic-Tune-up-for-Your-Car-Step-1Bullet1. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:307,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:486,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">
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\n</p></div>"} Examine the rag.
Is the oil especially black? Do you notice any sediment, or chunky-looking oil? If so, you’re probably in need of an oil change.
Put the dipstick back and remove it once more to check the level.
Notches on the dipstick should tell you how full the compartment should be.
[2] X Research source {“smallUrl”:“https://www.
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org/wiki/Fair_use">Fair Use</a> (screenshot)
\n</p></div>"} If you’re low, remove the cap and add a small amount of a high-grade motor oil appropriate for your type of engine.
Ask at the auto parts store if you’re unsure about what kind of oil to use.
Use a funnel to avoid spillage, and recheck the level once you’ve topped it off.
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You can use a pressure gauge at most gas stations, or you can buy one for a few dollars at an auto parts store and keep it in your glove box for regular checks. Open the driver’s side door and look at the sticker on the doorjamb — this will tell you the recommended pressure for your tires. There is also a number printed on your tires, but this is the maximum PSI for your tires, which is generally more PSI than you want or need. Don’t over-inflate. Keeping your tires inflated to the proper specifications improves gas mileage and handling. [6] X Research source {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/f/fd/Perform-a-Basic-Tune-up-for-Your-Car-Step-2Bullet1. jpg/v4-460px-Perform-a-Basic-Tune-up-for-Your-Car-Step-2Bullet1. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/f/fd/Perform-a-Basic-Tune-up-for-Your-Car-Step-2Bullet1. jpg/aid1324708-v4-728px-Perform-a-Basic-Tune-up-for-Your-Car-Step-2Bullet1. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:307,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:486,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">
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The transmission fluid dipstick should be easily identified in your owner’s manual. Sometimes it is the only other dipstick in an automatic transmission vehicle, but some vehicles have dipsticks for power steering and coolant as well. . Remove it, wipe it off, and read the level. It should be mostly clear, with a kind of red color to it. You’ll only need to change transmission fluid every 100,000 miles (160,000 km) or so. Some manufacturers recommend 60,000 or even 30,000 for transmission fluid replacement — always go with the manufacturers recommendation. [8] X Research source {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/7/71/Perform-a-Basic-Tune-up-for-Your-Car-Step-3Bullet1. jpg/v4-460px-Perform-a-Basic-Tune-up-for-Your-Car-Step-3Bullet1. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/7/71/Perform-a-Basic-Tune-up-for-Your-Car-Step-3Bullet1. jpg/aid1324708-v4-728px-Perform-a-Basic-Tune-up-for-Your-Car-Step-3Bullet1. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:307,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:486,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">
License: <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" class="external text" href="https://en.
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org/wiki/Fair_use">Fair Use</a> (screenshot)
\n</p></div>"} The brake fluid is housed in a white plastic reservoir in the engine compartment, labeled “brake fluid.
" This should only ever decrease slightly, unless you’ve got a leak in your line somewhere, which means you need to take it into be serviced immediately, or check the lines yourself.
[9] X Research source {“smallUrl”:“https://www.
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License: <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" class="external text" href="https://en.
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org/wiki/Fair_use">Fair Use</a> (screenshot)
\n</p></div>"} Radiator fluid or coolant needs to be checked when the engine is stone cold.
When the engine heats, even a little, scalding radiator fluid will literally shoot out of the cap when you remove it.
Be extremely careful.
If you start noticing a strange, sickly-sweet smell that comes through your air-conditioner ducts as you’re driving, you might have a coolant leak, causing glycol to drip onto the engine compartment and burn.
If your levels are low, this could be the cause.
[10] X Research source Radiator fluid should often be changed according to manufactures instructions often every every 30,000 miles.
[11] X Expert Source Jason ShackelfordAuto Technician Expert Interview.
11 June 2019.
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\n</p></div>"} Power steering fluid and windshield washer fluid are both housed in the engine compartment in plastic reservoirs, though some are built into the pump itself as well.
Power-steering fluid will often have a mark for a cold engine and a hot engine, so look at the right level to check, adding more if necessary.
[12] X Research source Wiper-fluid isn’t essential to the car’s life, but you can extend the life of your wipers by making sure it’s full.
[13] X Research source {“smallUrl”:“https://www.
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Clean them, if necessary, with baking soda and an old toothbrush. You can also use a tiny amount of soda pop to cut through the corrosion and clean them up. Loosen the bolts that secure them, if necessary, and clear out any build-up. [16] X Research source {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/e/eb/Perform-a-Basic-Tune-up-for-Your-Car-Step-4Bullet1. jpg/v4-460px-Perform-a-Basic-Tune-up-for-Your-Car-Step-4Bullet1. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/e/eb/Perform-a-Basic-Tune-up-for-Your-Car-Step-4Bullet1. jpg/aid1324708-v4-728px-Perform-a-Basic-Tune-up-for-Your-Car-Step-4Bullet1. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:307,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:486,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">
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To check the brights, you can park aimed at a wall and flash them. They’ll sometimes need to be aligned to make sure they’re illuminating the right amount of road and giving you the vision necessary for safe night driving. [21] X Research source {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/c/cf/Perform-a-Basic-Tune-up-for-Your-Car-Step-6Bullet1-Version-2. jpg/v4-460px-Perform-a-Basic-Tune-up-for-Your-Car-Step-6Bullet1-Version-2. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/c/cf/Perform-a-Basic-Tune-up-for-Your-Car-Step-6Bullet1-Version-2. jpg/aid1324708-v4-728px-Perform-a-Basic-Tune-up-for-Your-Car-Step-6Bullet1-Version-2. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:306,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:485,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">
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Changing the oil is an intermediate-level project. While there’s nothing difficult about the task itself, you’ve got to have the space and materials necessary (you’ll need fresh oil, an oil pan, and jack-stands or ramps). It’s relatively cheap and quick to take it into the shop to have it done, especially if you live in the city and don’t have a good space to tune up your car yourself. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/5/5d/Perform-a-Basic-Tune-up-for-Your-Car-Step-7Bullet1. jpg/v4-460px-Perform-a-Basic-Tune-up-for-Your-Car-Step-7Bullet1. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/5/5d/Perform-a-Basic-Tune-up-for-Your-Car-Step-7Bullet1. jpg/aid1324708-v4-728px-Perform-a-Basic-Tune-up-for-Your-Car-Step-7Bullet1. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:312,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:494,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">
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\n</p></div>"} The service interval of 3,000 miles (5,000 km) can vary from vehicle to vehicle.
Always go with the manufacturers recommendation; however, it does not hurt the vehicle in any way to change oil more often.
[24] X Expert Source Ed BeeryAutomotive Specialist Expert Interview.
19 November 2021.
If your air filter is not on top of the engine, it may be located in an air box with duct work that travels from the front of the vehicle to the box then to the throttle body. Some air cleaners are not even noticeable from under the hood and must be serviced from under the car.
Avoid short trips that you might consolidate into longer ones. Instead of running to one store in the morning when you need dog food and heading to the grocery store later in the day when you need to get stuff for dinner, consolidate both trips and plan out your driving more effectively. If you’re going to be driving less for an extended period of time, consider wintering your car somewhere safe and getting around some other way.
Never accelerate toward red lights. Take your foot off the gas and maintain your speed in preparation for a stop.
