The weekend has landed and I’m sure many of you, like me, will be hitting the road and getting out of dodge. Below are a few pointers about cars and how they operate.I’ve tried tackling the most common items people ask me about. I am not a mechanic so what I’m saying here is based on information I have received from my colleagues over the years.
Oil:
There are a huge number of parts needed to run your engine and as you can imagine, all of these parts need to be kept lubricated. Oil also maximises the power output in your car and improves your fuel economy. It is recommended to check your oil levels regularly and to change your oil completely every time your car is serviced.
Coolant:
Coolant is essential to your car because it keeps engine temperatures stable under all climate extremes and driving conditions. Coolant transfers heat from your engine to your radiator. If you have ever been unfortunate enough to run out of coolant you will be aware of the steam bellowing out from under your bonnet while you are driving. Coolant is what keeps your engine at sustainable temperatures. It's hugely important and is vital for keeping your engine running and safe.
Power steering:
Is your steering wheel making strange noises at every turn? Have you noticed it's not performing as it once did? If so you could be in need of some power steering fluid. This hydraulic fluid transfers the power in your power steering. If you have got problems in this area make sure to get it seen to as soon as possible - trust me - the longer you leave it the more damaging and more expensive it can be! The fluid itself is probably the least expensive part to fix in your power steering, yet it's the main defence to the more expensive parts. If your steering fluid is too low for too long then you have to start worrying about your power steering pump and possibly even your power steering rack, this can be an altogether more costly affair!
Checking your drive belts:
Drive belts are essential to your car and they assist in the running of everything from your alternator to your air conditioning compressor. As you can imagine, being located in the front of your engine bay they work under a large amount of pressure, and because they are made from rubber they are affected by wear and tear. Therefore it is advisable to get your drive belt checked every 25-30k miles, and beware; they made need changing every 50-60k miles.
Clutch fluid:
The number of manual cars in Ireland is massive, for some reason we prefer to go through our gears as opposed to using automatic transmissions. Therefore clutch fluid - which is actually a type of brake fluid - is vital for manual transmission cars. Without it our gears won't work properly or at all. We effectively use clutch fluid every time we put our foot on the clutch. Most modern clutches work off a hydraulic system and if our fluid levels are below what's needed you will notice it is more difficult to get through your gears. Normally these problems disappear when our levels are corrected.
Tyres:
I can't stress how important it is too check your tyre condition and pressure regularly. I won't bang on about it but, if your pressure is low it decreases your cars driving abilities, lowers your fuel economy and more. If your thread depth is lower it should be it makes your car less safe as tyres are what grips the road, especially when driving over ice or water. If it's been a while since you last checked your tyres, please do it today and fix any problems you detect like uneven wear, low thread depth and pressures.
Wiper blades:
I reckon Irish people use there wipers more often than most countries so check the condition of your wiper blades regularly. If you notice any cracks or any signs of deterioration get them replaced. Another way to find out if you need new blades is if there are smear marks that won't go away on your window after turning on the wipers. Usually you should get your wipers changed about once a year.
Light bulbs:
I recommend you check all of your light bulbs at least once a week. Just turn them on and walk around the car - unless of course you have a safety light which illuminates in your car to tell you one of your lights is on the blink. If you want to check your brake lights you can either get your friend or partner to look for you as you put your foot on the brake or you can do what I do, which is reverse park near enough to a window and check if your brake lights are working from the reflection. Brakes are essential to save driving and it is looking very likely that fines will be incurred in the future for people who are driving with lights which aren't working.
Air Filter:
Your air filter effectively cleans the air that goes into your engine and your car. The filter itself picks up the dirt which is in the air before it travels through your engine and cabin. It picks up dust particles and debris which would otherwise get into your engine and potentially damage it. It is very important to have this checked regularly to ensure your engine is in proper working order. The good news is that if your air filter needs to be replaced it's a quick fix and shouldn't cost an arm and a leg.
Brake pads:
Brake pads are possibly the most important objects for safety within your car. They ensure that your hugely heavy machine stops when you tell it to stop. These pads are part of your disc braking system. The calliper in the front wheels of your car is fitted with brake pads. Every time you put your foot on the brake the callipers push these pads against the wheel and it is this friction that slows down your car. As you can imagine, these pads are subject to major wear and tear. These should be check often. Other tell-tale signs of wear and tear to your brakes are screeching when you brake, although you should never let it get to this.
