Engine FAQ
In fact, the engine compartment is not as complicated as imagined, especially the items that need to be checked by the car owner themselves. There are only a few basic things, but if we check it frequently, we can save a lot of trouble in future maintenance. Let's take a look at what you need to know about common sense and what you can do yourself.
Oil is the key to ensuring smooth engine operation. Although the manufacturer recommends changing it every 5,000 or 10,000 kilometers, frequent inspections can also keep you informed of the engine's condition and prevent problems before they occur. To check the oil, stop the vehicle on a level surface, turn off the engine and wait for more than 5 minutes, so that the oil can fully flow back to the oil pan. After pulling out the oil dipstick to wipe the oil traces, insert it back into the guide hole of the oil dipstick, stop for a while and then pull it out to check. The oil level is suitable between the upper and lower engraved lines. If it exceeds the upper engraved line, it is easy to cause oil burning, and the excess oil should be released; if it is lower than the lower engraved line, the engine wear will be aggravated, and the same oil as the last maintenance should be added from the oil filler. , so it is recommended not to discard the excess new oil left during maintenance in the 4S shop, in case of emergency. Wait a few minutes after topping up the oil and check the oil level again. While checking the oil level, pay attention to checking the degree of contamination of the oil, and shorten the oil change interval if necessary.
Check the coolant
The amount of coolant is easy to check, but it needs to wait for the engine to stop running and completely cool down (touching the top of the radiator with your hand is not hot). Because the level of coolant will change somewhat when the engine is running, it is not easy to see accurately. Normally, the coolant level should be between the highest and lowest points on the scale. If the coolant is abnormally increased, it indicates that there is a potential problem with the engine. Excess coolant can be drained first to between the highest and lowest points, and then constantly checked. If the coolant continues to rise, it must be repaired immediately; if the level of the coolant drops below the lowest point, it means that the engine lacks water, which will lead to overheating and damage to the engine in severe cases. The supplementary coolant is preferably the product of the same brand specified by the manufacturer. If it is not in a special emergency situation, do not add water. If the color of the coolant becomes dark and cloudy, it indicates that the quality has deteriorated and needs to be replaced.
Check brake fluid
The brake device is very important for the safe driving of the vehicle, so it is necessary to regularly check the brake fluid level and the degree of brake wear. The fluid level should be between the "MIN" and "MAX" marks on the side of the brake reservoir. If the fluid level is below the "MIN" mark, add brake fluid to the "MAX" position, do not overdo it. If the wrong type of brake fluid is added to the braking system, it will seriously damage the components of the braking system, resulting in the brakes not working properly, or even not working at all. Be careful not to splash your eyes when handling brake fluid. If brake fluid is spilled on the body, it will damage the paint if not wiped off immediately. If the brake fluid level is too low, the handbrake light on the instrument will be on, if the handbrake is indeed fully released at this time, please check the brake fluid level.
Check the power steering fluid
The power steering fluid also needs to be checked regularly for the fluid level, especially when it is suspected that the steering fluid leaks, has obvious abnormal noise or is not working properly. When the car starts cold in winter, the power steering oil pump may make noise for a short time, which is caused by the low temperature making the oil thick, which is a normal phenomenon and disappears after the car is warmed up. When adding, special power steering oil must be used. Some repair shops plan to use automatic transmission oil (ATF) instead, which will cause permanent damage to the seals. In severe cases, the booster pump will be burned, and the loss will be huge!
Check the battery
Although many cars now use so-called "maintenance-free" batteries, some models still use traditional "water" batteries due to cost considerations. These batteries have a translucent shell, and the shell is marked with the upper and lower limits of the liquid level, so you can directly check whether the battery water is enough (if you can't see clearly, you can shake the body to make the liquid level vibrate slightly for easy observation). The composition of the battery water is dilute sulfuric acid, and only distilled water can be used when replenishing (note that if you accidentally get the battery water on your skin or clothes, rinse with plenty of water). Because the small cells in the battery are not connected, when replenishing the battery water, each water filling port should be added one by one, and be careful not to exceed the upper limit. For "maintenance-free" batteries, just check whether the color of the "electric eye" is green through the upper observation window. No matter what kind of battery, the lifespan is about 2 years. If it is not replaced in time, it can only be said that it will be used for an extra day. If it is in winter, the battery that is about to "end of life" is prone to insufficient power and cannot be started.
Check the windshield washer fluid
The inspection of glass washing liquid (commonly known as glass water) is not as strict as the previous items. If it feels that it cannot be sprayed out, it is not the reason for the clogging of the nozzle, that is, the glass water is used up, and it must be refilled as soon as possible. Do not let the motor run dry. Most of them are hidden underneath and only expose the filling port. Some models will see a float in the filling port to indicate the liquid level. There is no harm in adding more, but you can fill it up with confidence! In summer, you can use insect-removing glass water to help clear the glass Insect corpses and shellac on top of it; be sure to use antifreeze glass water in winter, especially for many hatchbacks with rear windshield washer: there are long plastic pipes from the engine compartment to the rear washer, which are easy to freeze and crack , After replacing with antifreeze glass water, spray several times to drain the remaining water in the pipe or non-freeze glass water.
If it was more than ten years ago, raising a car really needed to know a lot of professional knowledge. Now car owners basically just use the car. The new car is more and more advanced and more solid, and the 4S shops that are blooming everywhere also save the car owner. After a lot of trouble, even the so-called mechanical common sense in the traffic regulation test has been simplified to the point where it couldn't be simpler. However, if we can do some simple daily inspections on the vehicle, it will play a great role in extending the service life of the car and reducing maintenance costs. As the saying goes, three points of cultivation and seven points of nourishment.
