Picture the scene: you find yourself stuck on the side of the road with that blessed ‘check engine’ light stalking you like a relentless ex. Last week you had a flat on the highway and two weeks before that your car overheated. And as lady luck would have it, you forgot to charge your phone this morning (like the previous 10 times), so calling for help isn’t exactly an option. What do you do?
In light of women’s month, we feel that as a woman it’s important to empower yourself in all areas of your life – and that applies to the safety and the maintenance of your car. We’ve compiled a list of what to check, change and take charge of to ensure that you don’t find yourself a damsel in distress on the freeway.
Your engine
The check engine light is easier to diagnose and fix than most people think. The most important thing is to find out what caused the light to go on in the first place. You can make your way to any auto parts store, as soon as you’re able to get moving again, where they will put a little computer underneath your dashboard – and this computer sends back a code explaining what the problem is. Once diagnosed, the fixing part becomes easy.
Don’t just go with the flow
It’s important to regularly check your car’s oil and coolant levels. Checking the oil is a simple and quick process. Pop the hood and locate the oil dipstick (usually marked with a bright plastic covering). Pull the dipstick out and wipe it. Repeat the process – you’ll now have an indication of your car’s oil level. It’s recommended that you check the oil at least once a month.
Coolant is what keeps your car from overheating. To check the coolant level, wait until your car has cooled down. Remove the radiator cap and check for the line that the coolant should come up to. If your car is low on coolant, you should add more. It’s pretty quick and easy to regularly check your coolant level, but it’s recommended that you do it at least twice a year.
Remember to check your tyres
Check your tyres for any damage like scrapes, cuts and punctures. Also ensure that your wheel balancing and alignment is in order. Your tyres’ tread depth is a very important part of your routine checks. Driving with worn or smooth tyres is very dangerous and is often the cause of many road accidents. You can check the tread depth by buying an easy to use gauge to do your inspection. If you want your tyres inspected professionally, you can head over to Speedy Tyre & Fitment where you can get a 20% discount on all products and services if you pay with WeChat.
Empower yourself by knowing your car. Know how to recognise a problem and fix it. By being on top of safety and maintenance issues, you can save yourself a whole lot of trouble and money!
Alan Straton
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