Car Maintenance
Table of contents
iii
Table of contents
Table of contents ........................................................................................iii
Introduction .................................................................................................v
Daily Maintenance ...................................................................................... 3
Tire Pressure........................................................................................... 3
Windshield.............................................................................................. 3
Oil Levels ................................................................................................ 4
Coolant ................................................................................................... 4
Check engine light .................................................................................. 5
Changing oil................................................................................................. 9
Gathering materials................................................................................ 9
Replacing old oil ................................................................................... 10
Rotating Tires ............................................................................................ 15
Brake Rotor Maintenance ......................................................................... 21
Headlight Lens Replacement .................................................................... 25
Introduction
v
Introduction
This instruction manual is to help people take care of their cars and to provide
instructions on how to do basic repairs and checks on your vehicle. This book contains
how to check your tire pressure, caring for your windshield, oil levels, coolant levels,
along with common check engine light problems. There will also be instructions on how
to change your oil, rotate your tires, perform maintenance on brakes, and replace your
cars headlight.
Daily Maintenance
Daily Maintenance
Daily Maintenance
In this section we will inform you on many things that are very easy to
check and if done regularly will help keep you vehicle operating
smoothly.
Tire Pressure
You need to check your tires very regularly since they are a very
important part for your driving safety. Something you should always
check before driving a car is to make sure none of the tires are flat. This is
easy to check because it is something that is very visible with just a
glance. If a tire looks flat with very little to no air you need to replace the
tire with a new one before you are able to drive the car. How to do this
task will be discussed in a later chapter.
Even if the tire has air does not mean it has enough air. The tire could be
underinflated which means it needs more air pumped into it. This occurs
naturally over time so it is a good idea to check often. The easy way to
check if your tire is low on air is if more of the tire touches the ground
compared to normal. If your car is low you can easily refill your tire to the
proper air pressure at most gas stations or at home if you own an air
compressor. Not all cars need the same pressure in their tires, check your
owner’s manual for your vehicle to check how much air your tires need.
Windshield
Your windshield is good for keeping the wind out of your eyes but if it is
not kept clean then it reduces your much needed visibility. You should
check under your car’s hood every now and then to make sure you have
windshield washer fluid. This is the soapy water solution that you use to
wash your front windshield while on the go. This is a very simple fix if you
run low or even out, all you have to do is find the tank that stores it and
add more fluid. You will have to unscrew the lid in order to add the fluid
and there should be a fill line on the side of the tank so you know how
3
4
Car Maintenance
much to add. Once the fluid has been topped up close the lid tightly to
make sure it does not leak. You can buy bottles of windshield washer
fluid in most general stores.
Another thing you should check is your wipers. They should be in good
shape so they can clear you windshield effectively so you can see in
conditions like rain or snow. Just take a look at your wipers rubber that
touches the windshield. If there are any areas where the rubber is falling
off or even gone you should get a new pair. You can get them at a local
general store, just make sure they will fit your vehicle. To replace them is
easy, they snap in and out for easy replacement.
Oil Levels
You can check your oil levels rather easily and quickly. When you open
the hood on your car the oil tank should be labeled for easy recognition.
In order to check if your car is low on oil you will need to be able to see
the physical level of oil in the tank. You should see a dipstick next to or
near the oil tank. A dipstick is a long thin piece of metal used to check oil
levels. Make sure the car is off. Pull the dipstick out of the oil tank. Wipe
it of with a napkin and put it back in, then take it out again When you pull
the dipstick back out if it shows that your oil level is low you need to add
more oil. You can buy oil yourself at some general stores and garages to
fill it up easily. Remove the oil cap and add the oil, recheck the oil with
the dipstick until the oil is at the correct level. Once the oil is added make
sure the dipstick is put back, and the cap is on tightly.
Coolant
Checking coolant levels is very similar to checking windshield washer
fluid. Lift the hood and check the tank. If the tank does not have enough
coolant in its tank, noted by a line on the tank, you will need to add more.
Just remove the cap and pour in more coolant which can be found in
most general stores and mechanic shops.
Daily Maintenance
Check engine light
Your car should have a place on its dashboard for check engine warning.
This warning could mean many things and some of them are simple
errors that can be fixed yourself instead of paying a mechanic.
One of the most common problems that this can show is if a gas cap is
loose. To check this open your car’s hood to inspect the engine. If any of
the caps are loose or even not on simply replace them or tighten them.
Another problem could be your battery is having a problem. Make sure
the engine is off and take safety measures before touching the open ends
of the battery. Check to make sure the wires attached to the battery are
properly attached and unlikely to fall off if your car hits a bump. Also
check to see if there is anything in the way reducing the connection space
between the battery ends and the wires. Remove these obstructions
carefully and as stated earlier make sure the wires won’t fall off. Another
problem could be bad spark plugs. Any other problems can be fixed by
taking it to an auto parts dealer or similar mechanic and they can check
exactly what the problem is by hooking it up to a machine.
5
Replacing Old Oil
Changing oil
9
Changing oil
Gathering materials
Changing your oil regularly helps to prolong the life of your vehicle. You
can easily change your own oil and save money in the process.
Before you change your vehicle’s oil, it is wise to gather all tools and
products in advance. Gather these items:
1. Oil – Refer to your owner’s manual for the quantity your engine needs,
as well as the proper viscosity (i.e. 10W-30). Many engines require 5 to 6
quarts.
2. Oil filter – It is best to change the filter with each oil change. Try to
purchase a filter that is durable.
3. Oil filter removal wrench – Use this if your filter cannot be screwed and
unscrewed by hand.
4. Adjustable wrench - Use the adjustable wrench to remove the drain
plug.
5. Drain pain – To collect the oil.
6. Funnel – To pour the new oil into the engine.
7. Drain plug washer – Use this if the drain plug currently uses a washer.
8. Gloves, rags – Gloves for minimizing skin contact with oil; rags to clean
up and to check the oil dipstick with.
9. Floor jack, safety stands (both optional) – Use if you need to raise the
car to access underneath.
CAUTION! Always use safety stands when working underneath a vehicle.
Never leave a car standing on just the emergency jack!
10
Car Maintenance
Now that you have your materials together, you can start to change the
oil.
Replacing old oil
1. With the car in park, run the engine for 2-3 minutes to let the engine
oil circulate and get warm.
Then stop the engine and let the exhaust system cool for another 3
minutes. The oil should be warm, not cold or hot.
CAUTION! Hot oil can severely burn the skin.
2. Look under the engine compartment to find the oil drain plug (refer to
owner’s manual if needed). Slide the drain pan under and a few inches
forward of the direction the drain plug is facing. This is necessary because
the oil will initially pour down and out, so you want to make sure it all
lands in the drain pan.
3. Go to the top of the engine and remove the oil cap. This helps the oil
drain faster from the bottom.
4. Wearing gloves use the adjustable wrench to unscrew the drain plug
until it is almost completely unscrewed. Then, using your hand, finish
unscrewing the drain the plug (this ensures that the drain plug doesn’t
fall into the drain pan.
5. Check the drain plug; if it has a washer, then replace that washer with
your new one.
6. Return to the bottom of the engine. Once the oil has finished draining,
screw the drain plug back in, tightening it with the adjustable wrench. Do
not hammer the wrench to tighten the drain plug – you do not want the
drain plug to be too tight.
Changing oil
11
7. Find the oil filter on your vehicle (it is usually on the underside of the
engine or on top), and place the drain pan nearby. Unscrew the oil filter,
using the oil filter wrench if needed. Unscrew slowly, and then switch to
unscrewing by hand as the filter loosens. Once the filter is unscrewed,
carefully hold it over the drain pan and turn it over to let its oil drain into
the pan. Check to make sure the oil filter didn’t leave its old o-ring
attached to the engine. Remove the old o-ring if it is still attached.
8. Take the new oil filter and rub a smear of new engine oil along its oring. Screw the new oil filter where the old filter was, using bare hands if
needed for better tightening grip. Do not tighten the new filter too tight –
use your hands instead of the wrench.
9. Pour the new oil into the engine, pouring one liter less than the
recommended amount. Screw the oil cap back on.
10. Start the engine for 30 seconds, and then turn it off. Check
underneath the engine compartment for any leaks. Lower the vehicle if it
was supported on safety stands.
11. Check the engine oil dipstick. The level of oil will probably be low. This
is to be expected, since you still have a remaining quart of oil to put in
the engine. Put some of the remaining quart of oil into the engine, and
then check the dipstick. Continue this gradually until the oil is at the
correct level.
12. Dispose of the old oil and filter at an auto supply store or your local
hazardous waste drop-off location. DO NOT THROW IT AWAY OR DUMP
IT!
Rotating Your Tires
Chapter 3
15
Rotating Tires
Rotating your tires can be done at home with just a few tools.
You will need:
1. A lug wrench – To remove the lug nuts for tire removal.
2. A jack – To lift each corner of the car before support stands are placed
underneath.
3. Four support stands – To securely keep the vehicle elevated during tire
rotation.
4. Duct tape and a marker used to label each tire for rotation.
Once you have your tools in order, follow these steps:
1. Find a level surface to ensure the vehicle won’t wobble.
2. Remove the hubcaps (with a flat-end screwdriver, if needed) and
loosen the lug nuts. DO NOT REMOVE THE LUGNUTS.
3. Place the vehicle on four support stands. WARNING! Do not support
the vehicle on jacks. The car could fall on you, causing bodily harm or
death!
4. Check the tread marks on your tires. If there is a tread pattern to
points one way but not the other, you have directional tires. If the tires
have a tread pattern that would look the same in either direction, you
have unidirectional tires.
DIRECTIONAL TREAD:
>>>>>>>>>>>>
16
Car Maintenance
UNIDIRECTIONAL TREAD:
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
If you have directional tread tires, follow step 5a and ignore step 5b. If
you have unidirectional tires, follow step 5b and ignore step 5a.
5.
a. If you have directional tires, you will need to switch the front
driver’s side tire with the rear driver’s side tire. You will also need
to switch the front passenger’s side tire with the rear passenger’s
side tire.
b. If you have unidirectional tires, you will need to move:
• the front driver’s side tire to the rear passenger’s side
• the front passenger’s side tire to the rear driver’s side
• the rear driver’s side tire to the front driver’s side
• the rear passenger’s side tire to the front passenger’s side
6. Keeping in mind how you will be rotating the tires, mark each tire with
a piece of duct tape. On the duct tape, write ‘FD’ if it is located on the
front driver’s side, ‘RD’ for rear driver’s side, ‘FP’ and ‘RP’ for front and
rear passenger’s sides, respectively. This will keep you from forgetting
where each tire came from.
7. Finish removing the lug nuts and remove each tire. Keep the lug nuts
near the axle they came off of.
8. Rotate each tire to its new location, place them on the axle studs, and
retighten the lug nuts.
9. Lower the vehicle from the jack stands.
Chapter 3
17
10. Check the pressure of each tire. Readjust as directed by your owner’s
manual.
Brake Rotor Maintenance
Chapter 4
Brake Rotor Maintenance
Things you will need:
• Floor Jack
• Torque Wrench
• Safety Glasses
• Proper Attire
• Tire Blocking Tool (Wood, Rock, Triangle)
• Brake Rotor turning fee ($100)
Optional
• Jack Stands
• Flat-Head Screwdriver
1. Block the rear tires from behind.
2. Place the floor jack underneath the car.
3. Align the car lever to the cars frame.
4. Pump up the jack.
5. Place floor jacks under the vehicle.
6. Remove lug nut covers (if applicable).
7. Use the torque wrench to remove the lug nuts.
8. Remove the tire.
21
22
Car Maintenance
9. Locate and unscrew the brake fluid cap.
10. Replace the brake fluid cap.
11. Unscrew the brake caliper bolts.
12. Lift off the brake caliper.
13. Carefully pull the brake rotor from the wheel studs.
14. Repeat the process on the next three wheels.
15. Bring your four rotors into an automotive shop to have them turned.
(Around 25 dollars a rotor)
16. Replace your turned rotors back onto the four studs.
17. Replace your brake calipers.
18. Remount your 4 tires.
19. Re-install your lug nuts (and covers if applicable).
20. Remove the jack stands.
21. Lower the floor jack.
Headlight Lens Replacement
Headlight Lens Replacement
25
Headlight Lens Replacement
Things you will need:
• New headlight lenses
• Safety Glasses
• Proper Attire
• Flathead Screwdriver
• Pliers
1. Release the hood latch.
2. Unlatch and stand-up the hood.
3. Locate the lens cap.
4. Pry the lens cap off.
5. Turn the bulb harness counter-clockwise.
6. Release the bulb harness from the headlight.
7. Remove the old lens from the harness.
8. Replace carefully the old lens with the new lens. Do not touch the bulb
with your bare hands.
9. Re-install the bulb harness back into the headlight.
10. Lock the harness into the headlight by turning the harness clockwise.
11. Replace the lens cap.
12. Repeat on the other headlight.
Index
battery, 5
Brake, iii, 19, 21
bulb, 25
caliper, 22
Check engine light, iii, 5
coolant, v, 4
dipstick, 4, 9, 11
drain pan, 10, 11
Flathead Screwdriver, 25
Floor Jack, 21
harness, 25, 26
headlight, v, 25, 26
27
Headlight, iii, 23, 25
Lens, iii, 23, 25
oil, iii, v, 4, 9, 10, 11
Oil filter, 9
o-ring, 11
Rotating Tires, iii, 15
Rotor, iii, 19, 21
tires, v, 3, 15, 16, 21, 22
TREAD, 15, 16
windshield washer fluid, 3, 4
wipers, 4
wrench, 9, 10, 11, 15, 21