If you are a "do it yourselfer" .. do these checks yourself. If not ... have someone do them for you.

Keep in mind that the correct levels of fluids in your car are as necessary for the survival of your car as the blood in your veins is essential to your survival.

1.Check the engine oil. Check with the engine off.

Making sure the oil level up is the single most critical check you can make. If the oil runs out ... your engine will freeze. "Freezing" means it is totally destroyed. Your car manual will tell you where the oil dipstick is if you are not familiar with it. Wipe the dipstick with a paper towel after pulling it out.. then dip it again into the oil well. The "add" marking will tell you if you need oil. Do not add oil if it is not on or below the "add" line. While checking the oil take note if there is any gas smell to it or if it is at all foamy. Either one of these signs is telling you to get to a repair shop. If you are needing to add oil with each oil check.. your engine is either leaking oil or using it at faster rate than it should. Have it checked.

2.Coolant level. Check with the motor off.

This is your antifreeze and it is in the radiator and the radiator is under high pressure when the engine is hot.. so NEVER open the cap when hot . Instead .. to check the antifreeze level... find the coolant reserve tank.. which is almost always milky white with the level being shown at hot and cold temps. If the level is low and persistently falls below the full mark when cold after adding fluid.... have the radiator checked for a leak. This check is very important in the cars of today as they are much more susceptible to springing a leak from overheating.

3.Brake fluid. Check with engine off.

A clear reservoir right in front of the steering wheel under the hood is where you can check the brake fluid level. As brake pads wear out .. .brake fluid will drop normally. However ... if the lever drops a lot over a short period of time or falls below 2/3 full.... get your brakes checked right away. Putting anything other than brake fluid into your brake line can cause your brakes to fail instantly. Also.. keep the fluid reservoir covered. Leaving it open to air will cause the fluid to absorb moisture which in turn will lower the boiling point of the fluid. Brake fluid needs to maintain a high boiling point to be effective.

4. Power steering fluid. Check with engine off.

Check your car manual to find the location of your power steering reservoir. There should be a small dipstick with which you can check the level .... a level that should never go beyond the normal range. If you find you are adding steering fluid ... have your steering checked. There most likely is a leak somewhere. Don't drive if you know the fluid level is low or is you hear a strange cranking noise when turning corners etc. Both circumstances are calling for a check. Driving with these conditions can cause damage to the steering system.

5. Windshield washer fluid. Check with motor off.

You can purchase windshield washer fluid... or solvent.. very economically at gas stations, auto shops or even in grocery stores. Keep the reservoir full at all times so you are prepared for any mud splashes that would inhibit your driving ability. The solvent will clean better if it is diluted... but do not dilute it in the winter months if you live in cold temperature country as it may freeze. Diluting will cause it to lose its antifreeze qualities.

6.Transmission fluid. Check with motor running...usually.

Your car manual will tell you for sure if you need to have your motor running for this check. ..as well as locating the stick for you and telling you what type of fluid your car takes if needed. Warm the engine for this check .. and with the car on a level area ... follow the steps of the motor oil check...wiping the stick off , noting the markings and re-dipping the stick until it seats in the reservoir. pulling out immediately and reading the level. Add fluid only if it reads "add" and never fill above the full line. If the fluid is a muddy brown color rather than the rosy pick color it should be.. or if you find you are needing to add fluid.... plan to get it checked at a repair shop.

7. Battery check and maintenance. Check with motor off.

The main thing you can do for your battery is to keep the posts.. or terminals.... clean and dry, as well as the battery top itself. If you notice white corroding constantly after cleaning and drying .... have the battery checked. If the battery reads fine... then bring the car in to have the charging system checked.

8. Belt and hose check. Check with motor off.

If you request it ... your oil change people will check your belts and hoses with each oil change. However . .if you do your oil changes yourself .... then you need to check those belts and hoses yourself too. You will find belts on your water pump, air conditioner, alternator, emission control pump and the power steering pump... or you may have one belt that handles all of these... which is called a serpentine belt.

The serpentine belt ..made to last for about 30,000 miles...has a ribbed side and a flat side. Check the flat side for dry or cracked spots.. Check the other belts.. which are V belts.. for cracks and tightness and if you cannot change them yourself ... take them to a car shop to have them replaced.

Check the hosed by feeling them for bad spots.. ballooning or thinning.. and of course by looking at them. Here too.. if they need changing .. you can have a mechanic do it for you if you can't get at them.

9.Windshield wiper blades.

You know when you need to replace these. Do not procrastinate as you can end up scratching your windshield if the rubber flies off the blade even partly while using them. If the blades are good but not cleaning well... clean them with window cleaner and a paper towel. Make a habit of cleaning them each time you clean your windows. Most blades will last from 6,000 to 10, 000 miles.

10.Tires.

Keeping your tires properly inflated is important for tire wear and car handling and riding. Always check tire pressure when the tires are cold as heated air causes higher pressure. Keep your tires at the recommended cold pressure of the manufacturer. Keep your tires rotated for the best wear. Your garage will do this without cost on newly purchased tires. Keep a check on the tire treads. Replace the tires before the treads are worn flat at any spot on the tire. Always replace at least two tires at a time .. .two front or two rear. It is best of course to replace all four at once as needed.

Regularly performing these 10 car checks will ensure your car is kept running smoothly for a long time.

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