Things To Check and Do Weekly

Things to check:

Radiator coolant. Check the plastic overflow bottle, attached by a hose to the radiator. if the level is below the Full mark, add water and antifreeze in equal amounts. If the level keeps dropping, check for leaks.

Oil Level. park the car on level ground wait a few minutes. Then pull out and wipe the dipstick and reinsert it. If the level is below the Add line, add enough oil to bring the level to Full mark. Don't overfill.

Things to do:

Keep the body clean. Dirt and pollutants are tough on paint. Wash the car every week, using enough water to avoid scratching the paint. Hose out the fender wells and undercarriage with a strong spray to dislodge accumulated dirt and road salt, which can cause corrosion. When water beads on the body panels become larger than a quarter, wax the body to protect the paint from tree sap, bird droppings and other damaging dirt.

Things to Check Monthly

Things to check:

Tire pressure. Check with an accurate gauge when the tires are cold. (Don't trust the air-pump gauges at service stations, as they tend to be very inaccurate.) See your car owner's manual or label in the glove compartment or on the driver's doorpost for recommended pressures. And don't forget the spare.

Automatic transmission fluid. Check the fluid level and color, using the transmission dipstick (See the owner's manual for details.) If the level is low, add fluid to between the Add and Full marks. If the fluid is brown or black or smells burnt, change the fluid and filter. If the fluid is sickly white or pale, the transmission oil-cooler may need repair.

Power steering fluid. check the level with the dipstick (usually attached to the fluid reservoir cap). If the level is low, top it up and have the system checked for leaks.

Brake fluid. Check the level in the master cylinder. (Wipe the cap clean before removing it.) If the fluid level is low, top it up and have the system checked for leaks.

Battery. On a low-maintenance battery, pry off the covers or unscrew the caps. If necessary, add distilled water. If the battery has an "eye", check its color. If the eye is green or blue, the battery is OK. If it's black, have the battery tested and charged. If it's pale or yellow, replace the battery.

Things To Check and Do at Each Oil Change

Things to check:

Tires. Check for cuts and bulges, signs of an imminent blowout. Don't worry about fine surface cracks.

Constant-velocity (CV) joint boots. On front-wheel-drive cars, examine the boots. If they're leaking, have them replaced.

Differential fluid. On rear-wheel-drive cars, remove the plug in the differential and feel for fluid with your little finger. If you don't feel any, add fluid until you can and have the system checked.

Air filter. Remove the air-filter cover and hold the filter up to the sun or a bright light. If you don't see light through the element, replace the filter.

Cooling-system hoses. At each oil change, squeeze the hoses when the engine is cold. Replace the hoses if you find cracks or hard or mushy areas. Then start the engine and watch the hoses. Replace them if they bulge while the engine is running.

Exhaust system. Don't worry about surface rust, but have rusted-through parts replaced. (Check sooner if the exhaust becomes noisy.) It may make sense to replace the entire exhaust system all at once rather than piecemeal. Tighten any loose clamps.

Things to do:

Clean the driveshaft on rear-wheel-drive cars. Accumulated mud can cause annoying vibration.

Lubricate the universal joints. Check the owner's manual to see whether this is required on your car.

Things to Check and Do Once a Year

Things to check:

Brakes. Remove all wheels and examine the brakes. Have excessively worn pads or linings replaced, and have badly scored rotors or drums machined or replaced. Have the wheel bearings greased.

Things to do:

Clean the radiator. To prevent overheating, wash the radiator with detergent solution. Remove debris with a soft brush.

Clean the battery and terminals. Remove deposits with a wire brush, wash with a solution of baking soda and water, then rinse. Cover vent holes with tape during cleaning so baking soda doesn't get inside. If the deposits reappear, coat the terminals with grease.

Things to Do Every Two Years or More

Things to do:

Replace the automatic-transmission fluid and filter. Check the owner's manual for details.

Drain and flush the cooling system. Refill with a 50/50 solution of fresh coolant and water at least every two years. Thoroughly hose down any puddles. Coolant is toxic to children and animals.

Drain and flush the brake system. Refill with fresh brake fluid every two years, or as recommended by the automaker. Old brake fluid can reduce braking effectiveness and corrode parts.

Replace engine drive belts. Even if they show no wear, replace them every four years. If a belt becomes noisy, have it adjusted promptly.