THOUGH many Malaysians have cars to get around, not everyone understands the mechanics of a car and how to keep their vehicle in excellent working condition.
However, this is not something we should be ashamed of — the most sensible thing to do whenever our cars experience a malfunction is to contact a trusted mechanic or car-savvy acquaintance.
This week, Metro Online asked writers from The Star’s weekly motoring pullout,Automania for 10 basic car care tips for the less car-savvy.
Automania writer Thomas Huong assures us that when it comes to car maintenance, owners of new cars can simply take their vehicles to their car manufacturer to have it looked at without breaking a sweat, while the warranty is still valid.
Nevertheless, it helps to know simply how to check fluid levels and the condition of key parts in the car so that you know exactly what your mechanic is talking about.
1. Tyre pressure
Tyres must always be adequately inflated.
Most petrol stations nowadays use convenient electronic air pumps — the driver simply needs to press the buttons and adjust the pressure setting according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, located on a sticker on the driver’s side door frame.
2. Engine oil
A car’s service manual provides key information such as how often you need to change your engine oil and transmission fluid.
In most cars, you can check the level of oil in your engine by checking the dipstick, which should be yellow.
3. Spark plugs
This tiny hidden component is an important part of the car’s ignition and will wear out over time, sometimes causing faulty car starts.
Newer iridium spark plugs can last longer and do not need to be replaced so often.
4. Transmission fluid
Transmission fluid, which is usually red, is important for smooth gear transmission when driving.
The dipstick to check its level is also red and located towards the bottom of the engine compartment.
5. Car battery
To check how much juice is left in a car battery, most of us would have a mechanic use a multimeter to check.
As a rule of thumb, it is a good idea to do this once a year.
6. Brake system
It is not hard to tell when the brake system needs maintenance.
Symptoms such as squealing brakes or longer braking distances mean that the brake pads or other parts may need replacing, as per the mechanic’s diagnosis.
7. Air filter
The air filter is an inexpensive part that is responsible for efficient air flow and overall performance.
How often it needs to be replaced depends on the car and type of filter, but one telltale sign is a dirty filter and reduced car performance.
8. Radiator coolant
The radiator keeps the engine cool and the coolant fluid that it uses can last a long time.
However, it is possible to refill it with distilled water instead of coolant when the engine overheats.
9. Changing tyres
An important tip in changing tyres is to ensure that the jack is first positioned directly under the metal portion of the car frame, to prevent damaging it.
The car ought to be lifted just high enough to remove the flat tyre.
10. Emergency contact
The most important thing is knowing who to call in case of emergencies.
The Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM) hotline is extremely useful, and so are patrol units for specific highways, ambulances in case of accidents, your car insurance company, as well as trusted friends and family members.
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