How can I do my own car inspection?

You can do a self-service car inspection as often as you like. It is important to check the functioning of: tyres, body, lighting, exhaust system, brake and engine. It is also necessary to check, replace and, if necessary, top up the vehicle's fluids.

Safety and tyres

We do the car inspection primarily for safety reasons. All components and subassemblies must also be inspected regularly to ensure that a small defect does not become a costly problem over time. The moment when It is worth to pay special attention to your car, this passage of the seasons. The time after winter is crucial, then you need to prepare the vehicle for spring. When the average daily temperature rises above 7 degrees Celsius, we replace winter tyres with summer tyres. The choice is large and there is a possibility to compare the prices of several manufacturers.

If you do not replace your tyres (because you use universal tyres, for example), it is worth checking the condition of the rubber and the depth of the tread. Pay attention to all kinds of cracks. Let's check the pressure in the wheels.

By regularly inspecting and maintaining your tyres in perfect condition, we reduce their overuse and fuel consumption.

Control and exchange of fluids

The quality and condition of the fluids in our car determines the level of safety. Washer fluid should be changed seasonally. Winter liquid contains alcohol, which prevents it from freezing. If we use it in summer, we may have trouble cleaning the glass - under the influence of high temperature, the alcohol will evaporate and cause streaks. When using summer fluid in winter, the windows freeze after each use of the windscreen washer during frost. Brake fluid also needs to be checked. We check the water content and boiling point. If it is more than 3% of the total volume of the fluid, it must be replaced.

Engine and other components

We check the condition of the brakes on the basis of the wear of the pads and discs. If you notice cracks, gaps and excessive wear of components, consider replacing them. Brake discs are fully functional when there is no rust or scratches on the surface.

The timing system controls the entire engine. The maximum service life is strictly determined by the manufacturers of particular car brands - this information can be found in the manual of our car or on the manufacturer's website.

Let's check the timing belt during the inspection. His breakup is a serious malfunction. Often the result is a general overhaul of the engine. If you feel a drop in engine power while driving, the catalytic converter may be clogged. This can be checked at a station equipped with a flue gas analyser.

It is important that the lighting works flawlessly. In order to do so, it is necessary to check the correct alignment of the lights. If it is necessary to replace a bulb in one headlamp, it is worth changing it in the other. Replacing bulbs in pairs prevents us from burning them again in a short time.

Washing and maintenance

As part of the car review, it is important to wash them very carefully. It's not just about cleaning the body. We also clean the chassis, paying attention to hard to reach places. Remember to remove dirt from the radiator. Clean work is much more efficient, which is especially important in hot weather.

Road salt that gets into wheel arches during winter can lead to corrosion, so it is important to rinse it thoroughly. If you notice small scratches in the paint, you can quickly cover them with the use of mortar varnishes. They are sold in bottles with a small brush facilitating the application of the preparation. No more cleaning, it's waxing. Applying so called hard wax will protect the car from mechanical damage (only delicate) and the paint from fading.

Not only all kinds of leaks, murmurs, knocks and other disturbing symptoms visible during driving should make us want to thoroughly inspect the car. Let's check our car on average once every 2 months and before longer trips.