Newbie re: Car Maintenance

kerry4sam

Hello All,

Newbie in here in every sense of word, so please have patience with me

My loving Dad (now Resting in Peace) ALWAYS maintained my car (Hyundai Accent), either himself or by taking to a garage.
Now it is all in my own hands. She passed her NCT on January 4th this year and is all clear now until February 2015 so I assume all was checked for that, and all passed okay.

Now, what should I be checking and maintaining on a regular basis? I now check
~ wiper fluid
~ engine oil
~ abs fluid
^^ I should say I didn't know what to use for the above but when cleaning out my car for the NCT I found a half-full bottle of ABS fluid my loving Dad used to use on my car under my drivers' seat; and also the engine oil he always used for my car under there also. You guys cannot imagine my delight with him, and relief
~ Changing a Wheel: I can actually do this too, only with some elbow-grease though.

NOW,
~ Coolant: I have no notion of coolant. I do not know which to use, but must check the levels in daylight tomorrow. If it is low, what coolant do I use?
~ Tyre-Pressure: I have to get into habit of checking tyre pressure. Will be first time myself when I do try this myself, hope garage/fore-courts will be quiet.


What am I missing aside from general wear & tear. I'll be booking her in every 5-6months for check-up from now on in the garage to-be-sure, to-be-sure,
but
~ Is there anything else I could or indeed should be keeping an eye on and maintaining myself as a complete noobie/novice for Car Maintenance?

Many Thanks in Advance,
kerry4sam

keithsfleet

Sorry to hear about your dads passing.

Here's a link to what to check on regular intervals

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/breakdown_advice/top_ten_tips.html

biko

I think you have most things covered there and fair play for getting into DIY
Check out videos on youtube, you'll find vids on just about anything there.

If you're in Galway I can go over the main bits with you at some garage if you buy me coffee and a donut.

kerry4sam

The car I have is the very first car that I purchased and their is great reassurance in 'knowing' your own car I have found.

Since I started this thread, once a week, every week on a Monday I would check all fluid levels in my car. I would check tyre-pressure; lighting; all bulbs in-fact along with giving her a weekly wash. They are all small things, but they help me feel safer out there driving knowing these have been checked by me.

Two weeks ago I had to top up the brake&clutch fluid, and surprisingly, last week again. I knew something was not right as not that much driving was done by me and something just felt off / wrong, when I was driving.

Brought her to a garage today and it turns out their was a real small leak in the cylinder for this clutch fluid and also two tyres needed replacing :eek:. Dropped a few hundred euros, but way more confident driving now so I am.

Definitely recommend regular checks on your vehicle and trust your instincts if you 'know' your own car when something is not as it should be.

The tyres I knew were coming close to end, but just not as close as they were. The tyres are what's keeping me connected with the road so something I'll be keeping closer eye on in future.

Got all clear today at the garage and informed all good for another few months
Know your car.
Ensure you carry out regular inspections.
Trust your instincts.

Hope that helps someone,
kerry4sam