1.      
 

Weekly Car Checklist – Compiled by Dr. Suraj A. Dhirwani

Engine oil

Every week, open the bonnet of the car, pull out the oil dipstick and
check the engine oil level. It should be at the maximum marking or slightly
below (oil is thicker when the engine is cold). Check the color of the oil.
It should not look dirty or burned. Take two drops on your finger tips and
feel its consistency. It should not feel too sticky or gooey, but should be
fluid and thin. Replace engine oil as per the manufacturers’ recommendations
or sooner

2.      
 

Coolant
level

Check the coolant level in your car by opening the top of the
reservoir bottle. When the engine is cold, the reservoir bottle should be
between the minimum and maximum levels in the bottle. If there’s any leakage
in the coolant, you will need to check the rest of cooling system (follow the
hoses) to look for wet patches around the joints or on the engine, indicative
of a leak. If the coolant level is low, top it up with distilled water or
pre-mixed coolant if you have it in stock.

3.      
 

Windscreen
wash fluid

Especially in the rainy season, check the level of water in the
windscreen washer reservoir. Top it up with clean water as needed. You can
also add a commercially available “windscreen wash fluid concentrate” that
costs about Rs. 90 to Rs. 150 a bottle to this, which will clean the windscreen
better and remove dirt and grime. Or you could also add a drop of dish-wash
liquid to the container, but keep in mind that some dish-wash fluids are
corrosive, and can affect the washer motor as well as remove polish from the
car’s paint when the water flows on to it.

4.      
 

Windscreen
wipers

Check the condition of the rubber on the windscreen wipers. If it’s
frayed or cut, it is time to replace the wipers. Replacing the wipers in time
can save expensive replacement costs to the windscreen, because damaged wiper
blades can scratch the windscreen. Clean the wiper rubber with a damp soft
cloth or sponge to make sure it’s grit free.

5.      
 

Tyres

Tyres need the most attention. Individually inspect each tyre for
signs of wear, any new cuts or tears and embedded foreign objects. Remove
pebbles that are stuck in the tyre tread. It would be handy to keep a tyre
pressure gauge and/or a portable air compressor with you. Check the tyre
pressure and ensure it’s at its optimum. The best time to check pressure is
when the tyres are cold as this will give you accurate pressure readings.
Fill air if needed.

6.      
 

Lights

Check all the lights of the car, especially headlights and brake
lights to ensure they are working. Have a helper press the brake pedal (with
ignition on in some cars) to see if the brake lights work. With the ignition
on (but engine not started), shift the gear into reverse and check if the
reverse lamps work. Switch on the hazard lights and check if all indicators
are functioning. Replace any bulbs that have fused as soon as possible.

7.      
 

Battery

Check the battery terminals for signs of corrosion or residue. Clean
this with warm water and a cloth, but don’t touch it with your bare hands, as
it is acidic and can harm your skin. Once a month, you can also open up each
of the cell caps on the battery and check the level of electrolyte inside the
battery. It should be just above the plates in the battery. Top up with
distilled water as needed. In some batteries you can see the level indication
on the outside through the translucent casing.

If you have a multi-meter handy, you can also check the charging
voltage and standing voltage of the battery. It should read about 12.9 volts
when nothing is switched on, and should not exceed 14.1 volts when the engine
is just started, settling at about 13.6-13.9 volts.

8.      
 

Exhaust
pipe

Especially with a diesel vehicle you can perform visual exhaust
checks. Start the vehicle and let it idle. Observe any smoke emissions from
the exhaust. White smoke or black smoke from the exhaust could mean signs of
trouble, and it’s better to get the car checked by a mechanic as soon as
possible.

9.      
 

Bodywork

Check the cars bodywork and paintwork for any scratches or dents that
may have appeared during the week. Especially look around bumpers and toward
the floor of the car. Look at corners of the fenders for any signs of
rusting. If there’s rust, get it attended to immediately. Small scratches in
the paint can be polished out, while larger ones may need touching up.

10.  
 

Interiors

Check that all the seat belts in the car function properly and are
easy to attach and remove. Check the sliding mechanism on each of the seats
to ensure it locks in properly, as these can be fatal in an accident. Check
all the door locks and ensure they lock and open smoothly without jamming. If
you car has power windows, roll each window down and up fully a couple of
times to ensure they are working fine and there is no obstruction in the
window channels.