Car Maintenance: 10 Things Every Car Owner Should Know - The Short List
Summary
TLDRThis video script outlines 10 essential car maintenance tasks every driver should master, from checking and topping up washer fluid and engine oil to replacing windshield wipers and tires. It covers tire pressure checks, jump-starting a dead battery, and inspecting the serpentine belt and cooling system. The script emphasizes the importance of these skills for vehicle reliability and driver safety, encouraging viewers to test their knowledge and share their experiences.
Takeaways
- 🧐 Maintain unobstructed visibility by ensuring your windshield is clear and refilling washer fluid as needed.
- 🛠️ Regularly check and replace windshield wipers to prevent smearing and ensure clear vision while driving.
- 🔍 Check engine oil levels and top off as necessary to avoid engine issues due to over or under-lubrication.
- 🚗 Know how to change a flat tire and rotate tires for prolonged tire life, especially in vehicles without tire pressure monitoring systems.
- 📏 Keep an eye on tire pressure and adhere to the manufacturer's recommended levels for optimal vehicle performance.
- 🔌 Learn how to jump-start a vehicle with a dead battery using the correct cable connections to avoid damage.
- 🌬️ Monitor the air filter for clogs and replace it regularly to ensure optimal engine performance and airflow.
- 🔄 Inspect the serpentine belt for signs of wear and replace it if necessary to maintain accessory function.
- 🔍 Examine the cooling system for signs of failure and flush it out if the antifreeze appears discolored or rusty.
- 🛑 Top off the engine's crankcase with the correct viscosity oil to maintain proper engine lubrication.
- ⚠️ Always follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule for your specific vehicle to avoid reliability issues.
Q & A
Why is unobstructed visibility critical to safe driving?
-Unobstructed visibility is critical to safe driving because it helps ensure that the vehicle's windshield is clear of precipitation and road grime, which can obstruct the driver's view and lead to accidents.
What is the purpose of washer fluid in a vehicle?
-Washer fluid is used to clean the vehicle's windshield, ensuring clear visibility by removing dirt, grime, and other obstructions.
How often should you check and refill the washer fluid reservoir?
-The frequency of checking and refilling the washer fluid reservoir depends on usage, but it should be done regularly to ensure there is always enough fluid for the windshield wipers to function properly.
What is the process of replacing windshield wipers?
-To replace windshield wipers, you need to release the old blade by pressing a small button or sliding it off a hook on the wiper arm, then clip the new blade into place.
Why is checking engine oil important?
-Checking engine oil is important because it ensures the engine has the necessary lubrication to prevent friction and wear, which can lead to engine damage.
How do you check the engine oil level using a dipstick?
-To check the engine oil level, pull the dipstick out, wipe it clean, reinsert it fully, and then pull it out again to read the oil level between the low and full marks.
What should you do if the engine oil level is below the low mark?
-If the engine oil level is below the low mark, you should top off the crankcase with the correct viscosity oil, being careful not to overfill.
Why is checking tire pressure important for vehicle safety?
-Checking tire pressure is important for vehicle safety because it ensures the tires are properly inflated, which can prevent blowouts and improve handling and fuel efficiency.
How can you check tire pressure without a gauge?
-Without a gauge, you cannot accurately check tire pressure. It is essential to use a tire pressure gauge to ensure the correct pressure is maintained.
What is the proper way to change a flat tire?
-To change a flat tire, you need to jack the vehicle up, remove the flat tire, and install the spare, ensuring to follow the correct procedure for your vehicle, such as loosening the lug nuts before jacking the car up.
Why is it necessary to jump-start a vehicle with a dead battery?
-Jump-starting a vehicle with a dead battery is necessary to provide the electrical power needed to start the engine when the battery is unable to do so on its own.
What are the risks of mixing up the jumper cables when jump-starting a vehicle?
-Mixing up the jumper cables can cause severe damage to the electrical system or even result in an explosion due to the high current flow if the positive and negative terminals are connected incorrectly.
How often should you replace your vehicle's air filter?
-The frequency of replacing the air filter depends on the vehicle and driving conditions, but it should be checked regularly, especially if you notice a decrease in engine performance or fuel efficiency.
What are the signs that indicate a serpentine belt needs replacement?
-Signs that a serpentine belt needs replacement include heavy abrasion, cracking, lengthwise tearing, or other obvious signs of damage.
Why is maintaining the engine's cooling system important?
-Maintaining the engine's cooling system is important to prevent overheating, which can cause engine damage, and to ensure the system functions properly in both hot and cold temperatures.
What should you do if the cooling system's hoses are damaged?
-If the cooling system's hoses are damaged, they should be replaced immediately to prevent coolant leaks and potential engine overheating.
How can you tell if your cooling system needs a flush?
-You can tell if your cooling system needs a flush if the antifreeze appears discolored or rusty, indicating that it is contaminated and no longer effective.
Outlines
🚗 Basic Vehicle Maintenance Essentials
This paragraph outlines 10 fundamental car maintenance tasks that every driver should be able to perform. It emphasizes the importance of unobstructed visibility for safe driving and the simplicity of refilling washer fluid and replacing windshield wipers. The script also covers checking and topping off engine oil, noting the necessity of keeping the oil level between the low and full marks to avoid aeration and other issues. Additionally, it touches on the importance of tire maintenance, including checking tire pressure and changing a flat tire, as well as tire rotation for prolonged tire life. The paragraph concludes by highlighting the ability to perform these tasks as a means to earn 'do-it-yourself bonus points'.
🔋 Jumpstarting, Air Filters, and Cooling System Checks
The second paragraph focuses on jumpstarting a vehicle with a dead battery, detailing the correct use of jumper cables and the importance of not mixing up the leads. It also discusses the necessity of maintaining a clean air filter for optimal engine performance and how to replace it in many modern vehicles. The paragraph further explains the importance of inspecting the serpentine belt for signs of wear and the process of replacing it, despite the challenge it may present. Lastly, it advises on checking the engine's cooling system, including hoses and coolant levels, and the benefits of flushing the system if the antifreeze appears discolored or rusty. The paragraph ends with a reminder to follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance and a cautionary note against purchasing the 10 least reliable vehicles as per a consumer report.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Visibility
💡Washer Fluid
💡Windshield Wipers
💡Engine Oil
💡Oil Dipstick
💡Tire Pressure
💡Flat Tire
💡Jump Start
💡Air Filter
💡Serpentine Belt
💡Cooling System
Highlights
10 basic vehicle maintenance tasks every driver should know.
Unobstructed visibility is critical for safe driving; washer fluid refilling is a simple task.
Windshield wipers can be easily replaced by clipping them into place.
Checking engine oil is straightforward, ensuring it's between the low and full marks.
Overfilling engine oil can lead to aeration and other issues.
Topping off engine oil involves locating the filler cap and using the correct viscosity.
Changing oil and filter is a do-it-yourself task that earns bonus points.
Checking tire pressure is essential and involves using a gauge and maintaining the factory recommended pressure.
Changing a flat tire is an important skill, even with the decline of temporary spares.
Tire rotation prolongs tire life and may require reprogramming the tire pressure monitoring system.
Jump-starting a vehicle requires a set of cables and correct connection of positive and negative terminals.
Inspecting and replacing the air filter is crucial for engine performance.
Cabin air filters clean the air entering the HVAC system and may require different replacement techniques.
Inspecting the serpentine belt for signs of damage is a simple task that can prevent breakdowns.
Replacing the serpentine belt can be challenging but is a rewarding do-it-yourself task.
The engine's cooling system should be checked for hoses in poor condition and coolant levels.
Flushing the cooling system can be done by oneself for additional bonus points.
Following the manufacturer's recommended maintenance items is essential for vehicle reliability.
Avoid the 10 least reliable vehicles highlighted in a previous episode for dependable transportation.
Transcripts
coming your way next 10 basic things
every driver should be able to do to his
or her vehicle make way for another
shortlist
how much do you know about the inner
workings of your car or truck i mean
it's all right if you're not an
automotive engineer of course if you are
this video probably isn't for you
because here are 10 basic things every
motorist should be able to do
unobstructed visibility is critical to
safe driving helping ensure your
vehicle's windshield is clear of
precipitation and road grime is washer
fluid
unfortunately it couldn't be simpler to
keep the reservoir filled with plenty of
this refreshing looking but poisonous
liquid
just pop the hood and look for a cap
like this they're usually blue for easy
spotting then just pop it off and top
her up
but fluid is only half the equation
occasionally you're gonna need a fresh
set of windshield wipers which is of
course point number nine on this list
luckily it's also an easy task to swap
them as they essentially clip into place
to release a blade there's often a small
button that you push other times they
slide into a hook on the end of the arm
in either case the blade shouldn't be
overly difficult to swap out so give it
a try next time there's smearing rather
than wiping
that sounds like a toilet joke
moving on another mission-critical
vehicle component is engine oil and it's
super easy to check provided you don't
own an electric car since they lack
crankcases full of lubricant or a modern
bmw which of course don't have dipsticks
keeping an eye on the oil is a snap just
make sure the vehicle's sitting on a
relatively level surface and if you just
parked it wait a few minutes as the oil
may not have completely drained back
into the pan which could result in a
false reading with all that out of the
way simply pull the dipstick out wipe it
off with a rag or piece of paper towel
and stick it back into the tube from
whence it came
then pull her out again and read the
level if the oil shows between the low
and full marks you're good to go
now this is a case where more is not
better having an overabundance of oil in
an engine can be just as bad as not
enough in fact it can lead to aeration
and many other issues so basically keep
it between the marks and you should be
all set
but if the engine is low on lube every
driver should also be able to top off
the crankcase just locate the filler cap
which should look something like this
then pour a bit of oil down in there
make sure it's the correct viscosity
no no no not that
wait a minute or so and check the
dipstick again to avoid overfilling add
small amounts until the correct level is
achieved car engines typically take
between four and five quarts though this
does vary a ram 3500 hd truck with the
common straight six diesel requires
three gallons of dinosaur juice just
make sure to check the owner's manual
for specific details
but taking this a step further you could
also change the oil and filter which
usually isn't that difficult if you can
do this sir or madam you have just
earned major do-it-yourself bonus points
next let's talk about the only part of
your vehicle that should ever touch the
road yes that would be the tires point
number six all motorists should be able
to check their tire pressure
again this is a very simple task just
remove the valve stem cap and stick a
gauge firmly over the end make sure it
seats well so no air leaks out around
the edges something that could lead to
an inaccurate measurement now unless
there are special circumstances of
course it's best to maintain the factory
recommended pressure which is displayed
on a placard usually near the driver's
side door jamb inflate or deflate as
required
and while we're in this area every
driver should be able to change a flat
tire though unfortunately temporary
spares have become less and less common
replaced by space and weight saving
emergency inflation kits still the
ability to jack a vehicle up remove an
offending flat and install a spare tire
is an important skill to have especially
if you get a flat where cell phone
service is not available and remember
that's lefty
tighty right righty lucy
just strip the threads and back off half
a turn you'll be fine
also add major bonus points if you're
able to rotate those tires a process
that's a bit more time consuming though
the payoff of course is prolonged tire
life if your ride is newer you'll
probably also have to reprogram the tire
pressure monitoring system so it
accurately shows where each tire is
located
now point number four on this list of
things every motorist should be able to
do is jump start a vehicle that has a
dead battery of course this requires a
set of cables a car or truck that's
fully charged and a little bit of
know-how when attempting this the most
important thing is making sure you do
not mix up the leads a positive terminal
must connect to a positive terminal
negative to negative if you switch them
around very bad things will happen a
helpful hint to prevent this is that the
color red is associated with positive
and black with negative also in modern
vehicles the negative cable doesn't
necessarily have to connect directly to
the battery as the negative side is
grounded to the engine and body
structure so an engine bracket or metal
part of the body will work just as well
as a terminal but if you're in doubt go
for the battery
ah fresh air is a wonderful thing it's
as necessary to life as it is to your
engine you see without a free-flowing
supply of oxygen internal combustion
simply cannot take place and that's why
it's important to keep tabs on your
vehicle's air filter if it's clogged
with dirt and debris it won't flow as
much as it should reducing your engine's
output but the good news is they're
usually cheap and relatively easy to
replace now this will vary from one
vehicle to another but in many modern
cars and trucks the air filter is found
underneath a large rectangular housing
with the lid held in place by screws or
clips in either case just pop it off to
gain access to the filter itself the new
element should drop right in but make
sure to orient it in the same way as the
old one the pleats need to face the
incoming air to capture as much dirt as
possible many vehicles are also equipped
with cabin air filters and they clean
the air before it enters the hvac system
depending on make and model these can be
easier or much harder to replace than an
engine air filter but give yourself even
more bonus points if you're capable of
this maintenance item
next up point number two every driver
should be able to inspect their car or
truck serpentine belt provided the part
in question isn't concealed by layer
after layer of plastic shrouds it should
be a snap to give a quick once over if
the belt shows heavy abrasion cracking
across the grooves lengthwise tearing or
other obvious signs of damage you'll
want to replace it sooner than later
and award yourself some super bonus
points if you can tackle this job on
your own in theory the process is simple
but it often feels like you need two
extra sets of hands to get the belt
position exactly where it needs to be
with the tension released and remember
proper routing is critical for all
accessories to function
finally every driver out there should be
able to give their engine's cooling
system a good once over critically
important yet often ignored like that
exercise equipment you bought around the
holidays in 2007 cooling systems have to
cope with scorching summer heat and
arctic cold keep an eye out for swelled
chafed cracked or weeping hoses they are
fixed into burst which will leave you
stranded also make sure there's enough
coolant in the overflow reservoir add
more as required and of course if it
looks like the antifreeze is discolored
or rusty that means the cooling system
is long overdue to be flushed out
something you can do yourself if you
fancy earning even more bonus points
and there you have it 10 simple vehicle
maintenance items every driver should be
able to tackle how many of these things
can you do and how many bonus points did
you earn well write your responses here
on the screen and we'll make sure to
read every single one of them
wow
anyway thank you for watching this not
so short list and as always make sure to
follow the manufacturer's recommended
maintenance items for your particular
vehicle
oh and just a very quick housekeeping
note if you're looking for a dependable
vehicle do not buy any of the 10
highlighted in the last episode of the
shortlist that we published it's
actually all about the 10 least reliable
vehicles according to our friends over
at consumer report so if you don't want
to spend all the rest of your free time
in a dealership service department or on
the side of the road steer clear of all
those vehicles
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