Don’t let your lack of testosterone lead you into an overpriced mechanic shop every time something goes wrong with your car. Some of the most common automotive mishaps can be handled quickly and easily without ever having to consult a professional.
The knowledge of how to fix and prevent minor car problems can be empowering and lead to an increased sense of pride and ownership in your vehicle as well as some extra money in your bank account. Below are five easy automotive how-to’s to make even the most mechanically impaired gal more comfortable behind the wheel.
1. Stay Prepared and Well Informed
When you buy your car make sure it comes with a comprehensive owners manual. Skip a night of “Scrubs” and sit down with this book. Your owner’s manual has lots of important information about your vehicle such as when to take it in for oil changes and automotive checks, what kind of oil and gasoline keeps your car functioning best and any specific, unique-to-your-vehicle information needed.
This manual alone will make you feel much more comfortable with your car’s features and how it operates. While you are reviewing this information make sure you take note of how to locate and check all relevant and easy to find fluid levels in your car. Check your fluid levels every few weeks and while you’re at it, poke around under the hood a bit. As you gain familiarity with your engine, you will start to notice when things look different or not quite right and this preventative behavior may keep you out of emergency situations.
Lastly, before you burn rubber, make sure you have the following in your car:
- Good road maps of the areas where you will be traveling
- Your car owner’s manual
- A spare or donut tire and a tire wench
- A pressure gauge for tires (available at gas stations for under five dollars)
- A set of jumper cables
- Clean rags
- Flare signals
- A cell phone or car phone and all relevant emergency numbers
- A first aid kit
- Extra water, food and an emergency blanket
Now you are truly ready to hit the road.
2. Know how to change a tire.
When you get stranded, know how to put on your spare.
3. How to Jump Start a Car
This is another bit of knowledge able to keep you out of dangerous situations. If you have your own set of jumper cables and know how to jumpstart your own car, you can be very selective about the people you choose to inform that you are stranded on the side of the road.
You will need:
- Your jumper cables
- A clean rag
- A willing motorist with a fully charged battery
Once you have acquired the help of another person with a car, here’s what to do: have her park her car so that the two car batteries are as close together as possible without the cars touching and have her turn off their car. Open the battery casing on both cars, carefully wipe down the connection terminals using a clean rag and connect the jumper cables in the following order: first connect the positive charge cable (usually red or orange) to the positive terminal on the battery of the charged car, then to the positive terminal on the battery of the dead car. Next connect the ground charge cable (usually black) first to the dead car anywhere the charge can ground out such as bolt on the engine or an unpainted metal surface of the car. Do the same with the other side of the ground charge cable on the charged car. Make sure to follow this order exactly as connecting the cables in the wrong order could cause either one of the engines to blow out. Don’t allow the clamps of the jumper cables to touch each other when connected to either car.
Leaving the charged car off with the key removed from the ignition; insert and turn the key to start the dead car. If it does not start on the first try you can readjust the red jumper cable on the dead car battery for a better connection. Keep attempting to start the dead car. Once the dead car has been jumped remove the cables in the reverse of the sequence you applied them in. Once your car has been successfully jumpstarted make sure to run it for at least a half an hour to allow your battery to recharge.
4. How to Check Your Oil
Oil is what keeps your engine lubricated and running. To check your oil level regularly and keep enough oil in your car is probably one of the easiest and most cost effective things you can do for your vehicle. All you need is a clean rag.
In preparation, park your car on level grond and let the engine cool completely (at least one hour). Once the engine has cooled open the hood and locate the oil dipstick. Usually the handle will be orange and marked with the word oil. Lift the dipstick out of the oil container by pulling on this handle. Wipe the dipstick clean with a rag.
Re-insert it into the oil container. When you lift the dipstick the second time, hold it parallel to the ground (so oil doesn’t slip up or down) and look for two marks or holes on the bottom half of the dipstick. The oil reading should be between these two marks. If it is below the bottom mark this means your engine needs more oil. Consult your car owner’s manual for the type and amount of oil your model requires. Car oil can easily be picked up at gas stations or in automotive aisles of most grocery and convenience stores.
Put in about three fourths the amount of oil your manual suggests (never more than a quart at a time) and let it settle, then do another dipstick reading and add oil as appropriate.
5. How to Change your Air Filter
It is important to keep a clean air filter in your car’s engine as it can affect your miles per gallon and the power of your engine. You can consult your car owner’s manual for information on how often you should check and change your air filter. New air filters are available at auto parts stores. Once you have the new air filter park your car on level ground, let the engine cool and pop the hood.
In most cars made in the last twenty years you will find your air filter in a black plastic casing with silver clips on the sides holding the top on the casing. Remove these clips (and screws if there are any) and remove the dirty air filter, taking a minute to notice how it sits in it’s casing. Take the new air filter and set it down in the same way. It won’t fit unless it is inserted correctly so you should never try to force it into place. Make sure the rubber gaskets are flush and even. Ensuring clips are on tight, replace the lid.
Notice how these few suggestions increase your sense of ownership in your vehicle and keep an eye out for a future, intermediate edition of this article to include: how to change your oil and replace old hoses in your engine. Safe travels!