During the operation of your car, you will learn about the rate of consumption of oil in the engine and gearbox, brake and coolant fluids, and the reliability of various systems and devices. This will allow you to further plan your actions and time to inspect the car. For example, if it turned out that the engine is intensive enough (albeit within the normal range) consumes oil, check the oil level in the engine sump more frequently.
If the oil consumption by the engine of your car is small and there is no visible change in the oil level for a month, you can limit yourself to a monthly check.
The more familiar you become with car inspection activities, the less time you will spend on them.
Outside the car, check:
- air pressure in the tires and inspect them for damage;
- tightening the wheel bolts;
- serviceability of lighting and signaling devices. The operation of the brake signals can be checked without an assistant by depressing the brake pedal and observing in the rearview mirror for the reflection of the signal light from a wall, such as a garage;
- no traces of oil, coolant, fuel and brake fluid leaks.
In the engine compartment, check:
- engine oil level;
- oil level in the gearbox;
- coolant level in the expansion tank of the cooling system;
- the level of brake fluid in the reservoir of hydraulic brakes and clutches;
- the presence of fluid in the windshield washer reservoir;
- auxiliary drive belt tension;
- condition and fastening of the terminals of the battery wires.
In the car interior we check:
- serviceability of the vacuum brake booster;
- operation of clutch and gearbox drives;
- the amount of travel of the parking brake lever;
- serviceability of the sound signal;
- serviceability of the cleaner and washer of the windshield;
- serviceability of instrumentation;
- fuel level in the tank;
- adjustment of rear-view mirrors;
- serviceability of mechanisms of blocking of door locks.