Basic Vehicle Maintenance Tips on how to conduct basic vehicles maintenance checks

Presented by: Sergeant Mark R Glenn Sergeant Mark R Glenn Crime Prevention/Special Programs Officer Crime Prevention/Special Programs Officer

How to “Check it out” Be prepared to spend minutes to conduct a monthly inspection of a vehicle Be prepared to spend minutes to conduct a monthly inspection of a vehicle WHY WHY Identify problems before serious damage occurs Identify problems before serious damage occurs Safety Safety Items that you will need Items that you will need Flashlight Flashlight Tire pressure gauge Tire pressure gauge A penny A penny Rags or paper towels Rags or paper towels

Interior Vehicle Checks Sit in the driver’s seat Sit in the driver’s seat Check the seats, carpets, floor mats, switches, and mirrors all in good working order? Check the seats, carpets, floor mats, switches, and mirrors all in good working order? Check all the safety features to ensure that they work properly: Check all the safety features to ensure that they work properly: horn horn Headlights (low and high beams) Headlights (low and high beams) turn signals turn signals emergency brake emergency brake seatbelts seatbelts windshield wipers windshield wipers

Exterior Vehicle Check Conduct a visual inspection of the exterior of the vehicle Conduct a visual inspection of the exterior of the vehicle Overall Vehicle Condition Overall Vehicle Condition Windshield Wipers Windshield Wipers Tire Condition Tire Condition

Exterior Vehicle Check - Overall Overall vehicle condition Overall vehicle condition Missing or loose parts Missing or loose parts Window cracks Window cracks Rusted areas Rusted areas Liquids under vehicle Liquids under vehicle

Exterior Vehicle Check - Wipers Life expectancy of wiper blades is 6-12 months Life expectancy of wiper blades is 6-12 months Signs that your blades need replaced Signs that your blades need replaced Lines or bands appearing on windshield Lines or bands appearing on windshield Lace Curtains Lace Curtains Chattering Chattering Unwashed Margins Unwashed Margins Noise Noise Blade is hard or rough feeling Blade is hard or rough feeling

Vehicle Inspection – Tire Checks Tire Checks Tire Checks Overall Condition Overall Condition Check tire pressure Check tire pressure Tread depth Tread depth Tire wear Tire wear

Tire Checks – Overall Condition Sidewall Sidewall Gouge Gouge Hole Hole Bulge Bulge

Tire Checks – Overall Condition Lug Nuts Lug Nuts Missing Missing Rim Rim Visible cracks Visible cracks Gouges Gouges

Tire Checks – Tire Pressure How do I know what the tire pressure is supposed to be? How do I know what the tire pressure is supposed to be? Listed in PSI Listed in PSI Listed by hot and cold Listed by hot and cold Why a difference? Why a difference?

Tire Checks – Tire Pressure Check valve stem for damage Check valve stem for damage Place tire gauge on end of valve Place tire gauge on end of valve Slide will come out and show pressure Slide will come out and show pressure

Tire Checks – Tread Depth How to check tread depth How to check tread depth Insert penny between treads, head down If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, it is time to replace tires

Tire Checks – Tire Wear Over Inflation Under Inflation Over Inflation Under Inflation

Tire Checks – Tire Wear Feathering One Side Wear Cupping Feathering One Side Wear Cupping All of these are signs of alignment or suspension problems – Take vehicle to shop All of these are signs of alignment or suspension problems – Take vehicle to shop

Vehicle Inspection Fluid Levels Fluid Levels Oil Oil Transmission/clutch Transmission/clutch Coolant Coolant Power Steering Power Steering Brake Fluid Brake Fluid Windshield Washer Windshield Washer Serpentine or Drive Belt Condition Serpentine or Drive Belt Condition Hoses Hoses

Engine Checks -Fluids Engine Oil Engine Oil Leave engine off, park on level area Leave engine off, park on level area Remove dipstick, clean off, reinsert Remove dipstick, clean off, reinsert Pull dipstick and check level Pull dipstick and check level

Engine Checks -Fluids Transmission Transmission Start engine, leave in park Start engine, leave in park Remove dipstick, clean off, reinsert Remove dipstick, clean off, reinsert Pull dipstick and check level Pull dipstick and check level Use COLD marks if engine was just started Use HOT marks if engine has been running

Engine Checks -Fluids Coolant Coolant Check Reservoir tank Check Reservoir tank Never open reservoir tank if engine is hot Never open reservoir tank if engine is hot If tank goes empty on a regular basis, have the vehicle checked as there may be a coolant system leak If tank goes empty on a regular basis, have the vehicle checked as there may be a coolant system leak

Engine Checks -Fluids Power Steering Power Steering Most vehicles have an opaque reservoir. Wipe it off for a clear view of the markings then check the level. Most vehicles have an opaque reservoir. Wipe it off for a clear view of the markings then check the level. If your vehicle doesn't have a clear reservoir, you'll need to remove the cap, which will have a dipstick built in. If your vehicle doesn't have a clear reservoir, you'll need to remove the cap, which will have a dipstick built in. Wipe the stick off Screw the cap on Remove cap and check the level

Engine Checks -Fluids Brake Fluid Brake Fluid Most vehicles have an opaque reservoir. Wipe it off for a clear view of the markings then check the level. Most vehicles have an opaque reservoir. Wipe it off for a clear view of the markings then check the level.

Engine Checks -Fluids Windshield Washer Solution Windshield Washer Solution Vehicles have an opaque reservoir for easy checks Vehicles have an opaque reservoir for easy checks

Engine Checks – Belts/Hoses Serpentine or Drive Belts and Hoses Serpentine or Drive Belts and Hoses Replace worn, glazed or frayed belts. Replace worn, glazed or frayed belts. Replace bulging, rotten, or brittle hoses and tighten clamps. If a hose looks bad, or feels too soft or too hard, it should be replaced Replace bulging, rotten, or brittle hoses and tighten clamps. If a hose looks bad, or feels too soft or too hard, it should be replaced

Engine Checks – Belts/Hoses

Find a Good Mechanic Good Mechanics will check fluids on regular basis for you – NO CHARGE Good Mechanics will check fluids on regular basis for you – NO CHARGE If you have any concerns, take your vehicle to your mechanic If you have any concerns, take your vehicle to your mechanic

Hands On Vehicle Checks Different vehicles Different vehicles Lowest level of the garage Lowest level of the garage Feel free to come down and ask any questions Feel free to come down and ask any questions