The length of the inspection depends on how well you know your car and how often you use it.
During the operation of your car, you will learn about the rate of consumption of oil in the engine and gearbox, brake and cooling fluid, the reliability of various systems and devices. This will allow you to plan your actions and time for inspecting the car in the future.
For example, if it turns out that the engine is working quite intensively (even if it is within normal limits) if the engine consumes oil, you should check its level in the engine oil pan more often.
If your car's engine oil consumption is low and there is no visible change in the oil level over the month, you can limit yourself to a monthly check.
The more familiar you become with inspecting your car, the less time you will spend on it.
From the outside of the car we check:
- air pressure in the tires and inspect them for damage;
- tightening the wheel nuts;
- the serviceability of lighting and signaling devices. You can check the operation of the brake lights without an assistant by pressing the brake pedal and watching the reflection of the light from the wall, such as a garage, in the rearview mirror;
- no signs of oil, coolant, fuel or brake fluid leaks.
In the engine compartment we check:
- engine oil level;
- automatic transmission fluid level (1.6 engine);
- coolant level in the expansion tank of the cooling system;
- brake fluid level in the brake and clutch hydraulic reservoir;
- presence of fluid in the windshield washer reservoir;
- tension of auxiliary drive belts;
- condition and fastening of battery cable terminals.
- In the car's interior we check: the serviceability of the brake booster;
- operation of clutch and gearbox drives;
- the stroke of the parking brake lever;
- sound signal serviceability;
- serviceability of windshield wipers and washers;
- serviceability of control and measuring instruments;
- fuel level in the tank;
- adjusting rear view mirrors;
- serviceability of door locking mechanisms.