How to Do a Basic Vehicle Audit Without a Mechanic

Performing an audit on your own car, you can get a good idea of the overall condition of your vehicle and identify any potential issues that may need attention. It’s important to perform regular maintenance on your car to ensure it runs smoothly and safely, and these are a few things you can do without the help of a mechanic!

Inspect the Exterior of the Vehicle

Look for any dents, scratches, or other damage that may have occurred since your last inspection. Some of the most important things to look for include:

Check the paint: Examine the paint for any chips, scratches, or other imperfections. Look closely at the areas around the door handles and other high-touch areas.

Look for rust: Check for any signs of rust on the body of the car. Rust can start as small spots, so it’s important to catch it early before it spreads, which it will if it has already started.

Check the windows: Look for any cracks or chips in the windshield or other windows. These can often be repaired, but if they are left unchecked, they can grow and become more expensive to fix.

Check the Lights

The lights on your car do far more than just help you see the road at night. They are indicators to other drivers of where you are on the road, if you’re changing lanes, reversing, and slowing down or stopping. If any of the light systems on your vehicle are not functioning, you are putting yourself and others in danger. An efficient process for checking the status of your vehicle’s lights is as follows:

1. Start your car and make sure it’s in Park or Neutral with the parking brake engaged.
2. Turn on your headlights and check that both the low beams and high beams are working. You can usually switch between the low and high beams by pulling back or pushing forward on the turn signal lever.
3. Ask someone to help you check that the taillights are working properly. Have them stand behind the car while you press the brake pedal and turn on the turn signals.
4. Press the brake pedal and ask your helper to check that the brake lights are working.
5. Turn on your turn signals and check that they are working properly on both sides of the car.
6. Shift your car into reverse and check that the reverse lights are working.
7. Check that all of the interior lights, including the dome light, map lights, and door lights, are working properly.

Don’t Forget the Tires

For the most part, if your tires are unsafe, then the entire vehicle isn’t safe. This is why it’s important to regularly inspect your own tires for any damage, uneven wear, or low tread depth. Make sure they are properly inflated according to the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure. Some tips to check the health of your tires include:

Check the tire pressure: Use a tire pressure gauge to check the pressure in each tire. You can usually find the recommended tire pressure in your car’s owner’s manual or on a sticker located on the driver’s side doorjamb. Make sure each tire is inflated to the correct pressure.

Inspect the tread depth: Place a penny upside down in the tread of each tire. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, the tread is worn and the tire needs to be replaced.

Check for uneven wear: Look for any signs of uneven wear on the tires. This can be a sign of alignment issues or other problems. Uneven wear can also be a sign that the tires need to be rotated.

Look for cracks or bulges: Inspect the sidewalls of each tire for any cracks or bulges. These can be a sign of damage or weak spots in the tire.

Check the valve stems: Make sure the valve stems are properly seated and that the valve caps are in place. This helps prevent leaks and keeps dirt and debris out of the valve stem.

Check for punctures or nails: Look for any punctures or nails in the tread of the tire. If you find a puncture, it’s important to have it repaired promptly to prevent a flat tire.

Make Sure Your Fluids Are Good to Go

Most people might think that the only fluid they need to worry about in their car is the gas in the tank. Unfortunately, there are several fluid levels that need to be continuously maintained in order for a car to work as it should. The important fluids to check are:

Engine oil: After your vehicle’s engine is cool and parked on level ground, find the oil dipstick, remove it, and wipe it clean with a rag or paper towel. Reinsert the dipstick all the way back into the dipstick tube, then remove it again to check the oil level. The oil level should be between the “minimum” and “maximum” marks on the dipstick. If it’s low, add your vehicle’s preferred oil as necessary.

Transmission fluid: Some cars have a dipstick for checking the transmission fluid, while others require the fluid to be checked by a mechanic. If your car has a dipstick, locate it and check the fluid level in the same way you checked the oil level. The transmission fluid should be a clear pinkish-red color. If it’s low or dirty, it may need to be changed or topped off by a mechanic.

Coolant: Find your car’s coolant reservoir, which is likely a clear plastic tank with a “minimum” and “maximum” mark. The coolant level should be between these marks. If it’s low, add a 50/50 mix of water and coolant until it reaches the proper level.

Brake fluid: Locate the brake fluid reservoir, which is usually located on the driver’s side of the engine compartment. The brake fluid level should be between the “minimum” and “maximum” marks on the reservoir. If it’s low, add brake fluid as necessary.

Power steering fluid: Locate the power steering fluid reservoir, which is usually located near the power steering pump. The fluid level should be between the “minimum” and “maximum” marks on the reservoir. If it’s low, add more of the necessary power steering fluid.

Don’t Neglect Your Brakes

Test your brakes to make sure they are working properly. Listen for any unusual noises and pay attention to how the car responds when you apply the brakes. A safe and easy way to make sure your brakes are safe for driving is to:

1. Choose a safe location with minimal traffic, such as an empty parking lot.
2. Look for any warning signs that your brakes may need attention, such as a spongy or low brake pedal, unusual noises, or a pulsing sensation when braking.
3. Drive your car slowly and apply the brakes gently to test their responsiveness. Listen for any unusual noises or vibrations.
4. Drive your car at a slightly higher speed and apply the brakes firmly to test their effectiveness. Pay attention to how quickly the car slows down and whether the brakes feel smooth or spongy.
5. Test the emergency brake by pulling it up while driving at a low speed. Make sure the car comes to a stop quickly and smoothly.

If you notice any issues with your brakes, such as a spongy or low brake pedal, unusual noises, or a pulsing sensation when braking, it’s important to have them inspected by a mechanic. As noted by the accident attorneys at Nevarez Law Group, ignoring brake problems can put you and others on the road at risk.

Check Belts And Hoses

Look for any signs of wear or damage on the belts and hoses, which can result in catastrophic vehicle failure if not in proper condition. Also, it’s crucial to make sure that the respective belts and hoses are securely attached to the parts they belong to. The important hoses and belts to check for damage and aging are the following:

• Engine belts
• Radiator hoses
• Heater hoses
• Power steering hoses
• Air conditioning hoses.

Battery Life

Inspecting the condition of your car’s battery will help prevent any unexpected instances of your car not starting. Ways to check the life of your battery are:

Inspect the battery: Check the battery for any signs of damage, such as cracks, leaks, or corrosion. Make sure the battery is securely mounted in place.

Check the voltage: Use a multimeter or voltmeter to check the voltage of the battery. Turn off the engine and all electrical devices, such as the radio and headlights, and connect the meter’s positive lead to the positive battery terminal and the negative lead to the negative terminal. A fully charged battery should have a voltage of around 12.6 volts.

Check the battery age: Most car batteries have a date code stamped on them that indicates their age. The code is typically a letter followed by a number, with A representing January and the number indicating the year. For example, an A3 code would indicate a battery manufactured in January 2013.

Last Words

By following these steps, you can get a good idea of the overall condition of your car and identify any potential issues that may need attention. It’s important to perform regular maintenance on your car to ensure it runs smoothly and safely. The last thing any driver wants to deal with is unnecessary car issues, which can often lead to safety issues. Injury attorneys at Larry R. Williams, PLLC warn that a risk to safety is a risk to injury for both you and other drivers on the road. A deep understanding of your vehicle will keep you, your loved ones, and people on the road safe.