Monthly DIY Car Maintenance Check

Written by Olivia Richardson: 19-September-2007

It only takes 15 minutes a month to keep your car in top condition

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Who said you have to get your hands dirty when it comes to upkeeping your car? You can prevent up to 70 per cent of all breakdowns with this monthly maintenance check.

Engine oil

1. Start the engine, leave it on for a few minutes, then turn it off.

2. On level ground, remove the dipstick (no, we're not talking about your pesky ex boyf here!) and wipe it clean with a lint-free rag.

3. Put it back in all the way, remove it again and check the oil level against the engraved low-high markers on it. If it's too low, take off the oil cap (this can be such a pain to get off sometimes. Tip: it's easier to get off when the engine's warm it makes the cap softer!).

4. Put the correct type of oil in there (check your owner's manual if you don't know what it is) and check again with the dipstick until it's at a good level. Oh and NEVER drive the car if there's no oil (or water/coolant) in it! This can cause major engine (and wallet) damage!

Headlights and inside dashboard lights

Make sure all your lights are working properly! This includes hi-beam and the petrol, air bags, handbrake, etc. lights in the dashboard. You'll need some help with the reverse light check though, unless you're near a mirror-like wall or something that you can see the reflection.

Battery

If it has caps, remove them and make sure that the liquid in there is about 5mm above the plates or between the levels shown on the battery case. Try not to touch the liquid or get it in your eyes, as the battery produces a corrosive gas.

If the liquid level is low, top it up with distilled water, replace the caps and make sure the top of the battery is clean and dry. Also ensure that the electrical cables are tight on the battery.

Windscreen wipers and washer fluid

If your windscreen wipers have been screeching, jittering and failing to clean off that lovely splotch of bird poo (no matter how much washer fluid you use), you might need to replace them. You can buy windscreen wipers from most auto shops and Kmart.

Also check the washer fluid level. Fill the washer bottle with clean water and just the right amount of windscreen washer liquid (don't add too much or you'll end up like Lindsay Lohan in Just My Luck... minus the cute guy).

Radiator coolant

This green stuff keeps your engine cool so it doesn't overheat and basically flake out. Make sure the coolant reservoir (a plastic-looking container under the hood, that's connected to the radiator hose) is between the high and low marks. Fill up with a 50/50 mix of water and coolant. In emergencies, fill it up with plain water if that's the only thing you have.

If you don't have a coolant reservoir, you'll have to check the radiator. With a cool engine, take off the radiator cap and see how much coolant is in there. If it's low, top it up (check your owner's manual for the correct level).

If you see any coolant leaks in the engine or on the road you might have a radiator leak! Get this checked out or you might end up with a cracked engine head or other serious damage. Not good! See your mechanic if you suspect a leak (I didn't do this and the car ended up blowing an engine head gasket – aka $550 bill!).

If there's rusty or floaty stuff floating in the radiator water under the radiator cap, you might want to get it checked out by your mechanic (again, could indicate some problems).

Wiring, hoses and pipes

Suss out the scene under the hood for any damaged, loose, frayed or disconnected wiring. Check your hoses and pipes for any cracks, holes, kinks or other damage. If you see any stains on them, you may have a leak somewhere!

Automatic transmission and powering steering fluids

Check your owner's manual for the type and amount you should use, as each car varies.

Tyres

Check out our Zen For Your Tyres article for what to do with your tyres.

That's it! Your'e done! But remember, this is a basic guide – you still need to have regular services done. Check your car's owners manual for any specific things that need to be done for your specific car.