#Daily car maintenance checklist manual#
#Daily car maintenance checklist full#
#Daily car maintenance checklist professional#

Look for a reading between 12.4V and 12.7V. When connecting your multimeter, connect the red (positive) first, then the black (negative) terminal. You’ll want to check the battery with everything shut off. You can test your car battery at home using a low-cost multimeter. You should check a few other items at least every three months, typically around the time you would do an oil change. If it’s brown or black, you’re risking damage to your transmission. If it’s brown or dark red, you should book an appointment for a fluid change. In addition to the fluid level, take a peek at the color. You’ll want to check the transmission like you would the oil, but the engine should be warm, and you can leave the engine in idle while you check. You can check the transmission fluid by locating the dipstick near the back of the engine bay. Transmission fluid helps keep your transmission cool and running smoothly. You should check your transmission fluid every month and replace it every 30,000 to 50,000 miles.

Use a funnel to avoid spilling washer fluid on the engine. If you don’t see any, fill the fluid to about two inches below the cap line. Instead, look for markings near the neck of the reservoir. You won’t have a dipstick to check the wiper fluid. While you’re under the hood, check the fluid for your windshield wipers too.

#Daily car maintenance checklist full#

If the coolant falls below the full line, remove the radiator cap and add more coolant until it reaches full. The container is transparent, so you can see how much coolant is in there. Once you locate the coolant reservoir, look at the side of the container. Coolant/antifreezeĬhecking your coolant is easier than checking your engine oil. When you change the oil, if it’s dark or dirty-looking, it’s time for an oil change. Wait a few minutes after adding the oil for it to settle before rechecking the oil levels. If your oil is too low, add more oil using a funnel. Pull the dipstick out again and look at both sides of the dipstick for the oil level. Wipe all the oil from the dipstick and reinsert it back into the oil. When your engine is cool, remove the dipstick from the oil receptacle to check your oil. You should check each of these fluids once a month. You can prevent potential problems by staying on top of your vehicle’s fluids. Once you’ve determined which tire has low pressure, you can add air at a pump at most gas stations. If you look at the bottom of the driver-side door, you should see a sticker listing the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle. Low tire pressure could raise your risk of hydroplaning, cause the tire to wear faster, and increase fuel usage. Your tire pressure light typically indicates that one or more of your tires have low tire pressure.

#Daily car maintenance checklist professional#

When this light pops on, it’s a good idea to have a professional with a scanning tool check it out. Common reasons your check engine light might come on include a loose gas cap, issues with the oxygen sensor, and problems with the catalytic converter.

If your check engine light turns on, this typically means that the car’s computer has detected a trouble code. You may need to service your car right away.

#Daily car maintenance checklist manual#

Refer to your owner’s manual if you see any lights on your dashboard. The following alerts are high-priority issues that need car maintenance immediately.