Auto Insurance Secrets

Posts Tagged ‘truck’

Who ever takes care of their vehicles radiator and cooling system on a regular and ongoing basis. Few is the answer. Yet with a small amount of simple care and attention on a regular basis you can extend the life of your automotive vehicle and as well provide years more of trouble free service on the roads and highways that you traverse. If you do not have the knowledge or inclination of radiator and cooling system routine maintenance simply ask your auto dealer or local garage who provide maintenance to your vehicle or vehicles.

Yet your car or trucks rad or cooling system is not 100 % maintenance free. Forget about it and you may well have engine overheating damage, substantial auto engine repairs or worse, and no heat from your heater.

How can anyone be taught how to check the coolant level. Simply open up the engine hood when your car has been sitting for a couple of hours. Look for a coolant canister . Its the overflow bottle container and looks simply like a plastic jug. If you do not know how to open your hood – often bonnets today can be a puzzle to open – then consult the auto manual that came with the car , online , or at the worst call your factory dealer or local garage. Just have your auto make , model and year available handy. To judge fluid levels simply look on the side of the coolant overflow container. There will be a marking “cold” or “cold fluid level”. Simply compare the two marks – that of the level of the fluid in the coolant container and the mark on the side of the bottle. Do you have an adequate amount ?

Maintenance of proper fluid levels and an adequate amount of antifreeze is everything. You will maintain your engine and transmission within proper temperature ranges. The benefits – less wear and tear on your engine itself , no heat damage or buckling from excessive heat of engines running “hot” as well as the convenience of sufficient heat from your interior heater of your passenger compartment.

Most of the problems we encounter both in life and as auto owners are relatively simple and come down to basics. In this case its a matter of proper ongoing maintenance of your vehicle’s cooling system. If you are unsure of the steps and procedures ask professional help . Your local mechanic , a neighbor or the service department of your local nearby car or truck dealership will be only too obliging to help you out.

When most drivers think of their autos cooling system all that comes to mind is their radiator ” the humble rad. The cooling system of your car keeps your autos engine within normal ranges and provides you both comfortable maintenance free driving and heat from their interior car heater during the cold winter time or to defrost their windshield.

Yet your car or trucks rad or cooling system is not 100 % maintenance free. Forget about it and you may well have engine overheating damage, substantial auto engine repairs or worse, and no heat from your heater.

How can anyone be taught how to check the coolant level. Simply open up the engine hood when your car has been sitting for a couple of hours. Look for a coolant canister . Its the overflow bottle container and looks simply like a plastic jug. If you do not know how to open your hood – often bonnets today can be a puzzle to open – then consult the auto manual that came with the car , online , or at the worst call your factory dealer or local garage. Just have your auto make , model and year available handy. To judge fluid levels simply look on the side of the coolant overflow container. There will be a marking “cold” or “cold fluid level”. Simply compare the two marks – that of the level of the fluid in the coolant container and the mark on the side of the bottle. Do you have an adequate amount ?

Taking good care of fluid levels under the hood can spare you auto repair bills at your local garage and may well keep you away from car and truck dealers for extra years to come. Its well worth the effort all in all and only requires simple and ongoing attention to detail. After all its your car or truck and your vehicle repair or new car replacement costs out of your own pocketbook.

Its not only a matter of long term truck or car car and long life. Its not only about keeping your vehicle in good running order and a proper ongoing maintenance schedule. it is also about safety. If your vehicle breaks down prematurely or your rad overheats due to low coolant levels you may be stranded in less than desirable circumstances. In a cold winter time period – say in northern Alberta Canada or Manitoba without a properly working heat defrost mechanism you are a menace on the road to other drivers and vehicles on roads and highways.

Do a walk around each and every time that you get into your automobile. Fluid on the ground can indicate safety issues as well as unnecessary repairs down the road. Its just routine vehicle maintenance simple as that.

It is fairly standard to state the all drivers, and even their passengers are advised and recommended to periodically check the underside of their car as well as the pavement over which the car, truck or SUV is parked as an early guide to leaks. Checking all fluid levels on a regular basis is a must as well ” not an option.

If you note a green or pink watery type liquid ( as opposed to oil type leaks), that is under your automotive vehicles in puddles , think of antifreeze leaks. Some vehicles , including busses or vehicles run year round in warm climates , where winter freeze up never occurs , may run simply on 100 % water. Regardless a leak of radiator fluid indicates coolant loss. This may result in damaging engine overheating. Engines should not run very hot for too long. In cold Manitoba and Alberta winters , loss or even lower levels of radiator glycol antifreeze coolant will result in a cold car in which the auto interior heater never seems to work , or put out much heat. If you cannot get engine heat how can you defrost your windshield ? Its thus not only a convenience and comfort issue but also one of roadside safety.

Next in line is brake fluid. Loss of brake fluid can be downright dangerous as you may well have lost braking ability. Transmission fluid loss can lead to mechanical failures down the line. It can be checked via dipstick under the hood. Both transmission and power steering fluids are similar products ” a light oil type liquid usually with a reddish, almost rose color. Gasoline itself can leak from a tank. You should be able to discern and odor if gas leaks. Take great care as gas itself is very flammable, and on top of that a gas leak can lead to an engine fire.

It may be no secret why your good friend advises you to “park your car on the street”. Simple motor engine leaks from your underneath your car , may be only an inconvenience to you , but to others may be very difficult to remove if not unsightly to their driveways and roadways. If you do have to park in such a situation and the oil pan on the bottom of your engine does leak , be considerate and bring along a large piece of cardboard to place under the engine of your car , truck or SUV while parked.

Make it a practice to have your oil level checked via the dipstick under your hood when you fill up with gas.

When it comes to auto ownership few problems can be as concerning, frustrating and ultimately expensive as fluid links. It seems like nothing can draw more attention and concern than a puddle underneath your vehicle. The one thing that you can be sure of is that its new and was not there before- otherwise you would have spotted it.

Make it a point of your daily driving routine to check for vehicle leaks as well as to verify fluid levels of your vehicle. Its just part of regular preventive maintenance.

Check the fluid in your radiator. Its easy to do spot by the level of the fluid in the overflow tank under the hood. Its more than easily apparent. Never ever open the rad cap when the engine is hot or even on the warm side.

Next in line is brake fluid. Loss of brake fluid can be downright dangerous as you may well have lost braking ability. Transmission fluid loss can lead to mechanical failures down the line. It can be checked via dipstick under the hood. Both transmission and power steering fluids are similar products ” a light oil type liquid usually with a reddish, almost rose color. Gasoline itself can leak from a tank. You should be able to discern and odor if gas leaks. Take great care as gas itself is very flammable, and on top of that a gas leak can lead to an engine fire.

It may be no secret why your good friend advises you to “park your car on the street”. Simple motor engine leaks from your underneath your car , may be only an inconvenience to you , but to others may be very difficult to remove if not unsightly to their driveways and roadways. If you do have to park in such a situation and the oil pan on the bottom of your engine does leak , be considerate and bring along a large piece of cardboard to place under the engine of your car , truck or SUV while parked.

All in all , checking fluid levels and watching out for leaks is simple , standard and thorough maintenance. The sign of a good driver.