You can do a variety of car checks both around and beneath the hood to help keep it in good working order and avoid a breakdown.

Getting your hands filthy under the hood may sound like something you should leave to the pros, but there’s no reason you can’t keep up with some things on your own.

Investing five minutes every few weeks to perform these easy checks – especially before a long drive or a family trip – may save you a lot of time and money in the long term, as well as keep you safe and protected.

To simplify things, here are 12 quick car checks you can do right now to keep your vehicle safe on the road and within the law.

Remember the acronym FORCES, which stands for Fuel, Oil, Rubber, Coolant, Electrics, and Screen Wash, when it comes to averting a breakdown.

1. Fuel

How many people run out of gas, especially in cold weather?

2. Oil

At Suzuki Fort Motor patrol check, the oil level in every vehicle we come across and discover that one out of every three is dangerously low. If left unattended, this can result in a failure and severe engine damage.

Check that the oil level on your car’s dipstick is within the minimum and maximum marks, and top it up if necessary.

If you’re not sure what sort of oil to use, see your owner’s manual or contact your local dealer.

3. Rubber

Check your tires and wiper blades on a regular basis when it comes to rubber.

Examine your tires for signs of wear and tear, cracks or bulges, and, most importantly, tread depth. The minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, although it is recommended that you have 3mm of tire tread in the winter to help with traction and grip.

Also, make sure your tires are inflated properly; if you don’t know how much to inflate them, see your owner’s manual.

You can also check 10 Easy Ways to Keep Your Tires in Good Shape

Inspect your wiper blades, since they will not last indefinitely and will need to be replaced due to splits and cracks.

Place a small sheet of plastic or fabric between the wiper blades and the windscreen in the winter to prevent them from freezing to the windscreen. You can also try de-icing them using a de-icer or warm water before igniting your engine.

4. Liquid coolant

Check the coolant level in your car. The last thing you want is a frozen engine or an overheated vehicle.

Even though it’s a sealed system that shouldn’t need to be topped up, it’s always a good idea to double-check, especially before a long trip.

When the engine is cold, check the coolant levels and consult your owner’s manual for the proper coolant and mix to use if you need to top it off.

5. Electric Cables

Your automobile has a lot of electrics, from indicators to fog lights to batteries, and they all need to be checked on a regular basis to keep you safe.

Another person should walk around the car and check that all of the lights are working, including the number plate lights, because having a registration that isn’t visible can result in a fine.

Check your battery as well, assuring the connectors are clean and tight (cleaning off any rust with heated water and petroleum jelly) and that the engine starts properly.

If your engine won’t start when you turn the key, take it to a mechanic to get the battery checked out. If your battery is more than four years old, it may be nearing the end of its useful life and may fail you.

When you get your battery checked, ask them to look at the initiating and charging system, as well as whether any of that is draining your battery; this will give you a better idea of your car’s general electrical health.

If you get your battery tested, ask them to look at the charging system and the battery drain as well; it will give a superior picture of your car’s overall electrical health.

In cold weather, batteries must work even harder, and they must withstand increased demand from additional electrical devices such as lights and heaters.

6. Screen Wash

Check the amount of screen wash in the tank under the hood, and top it up if necessary with a good screenwash additive or pre-mix, which can be purchased at most gas stations.

All year long, it’s crucial to keep your screens clean. Snow and grit smear windscreens in the winter, while bugs and pollen cloud your view in the summer – so check your levels regularly.

Aside from the necessary FORCES checks, it’s also a good idea to perform a few extra car maintenance checks on other sections of your vehicle to extend its life and avoid a breakdown.

7. Air Filter For The Engine

Because a clogged or broken air filter can lower fuel economy and cause engine power loss, specialists recommend replacing it every 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first.

If you believe your filter needs to be checked or replaced, simply locate it (typically in a black box under the bonnet) and remove it, noting how it fits before reinstalling it and closing the box.

Instructions can be found in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.

8. Spark Plug For Petrol Engines

Spark plugs are essential to the proper operation of your engine; one or more bad plugs will cause an engine misfire, so understanding how to change them is important.

Spark plugs should be replaced every 30,000 miles or so, and if you want to do it yourself, you’ll need the necessary tools. Check your owner’s manual or speak with a dealer to see if a DIY replacement is possible.

9. Brakes

It’s difficult to overestimate the significance of properly functioning brakes, so they must be maintained.

Start by checking the brake fluid level and, if necessary, topping it up – the exact fluid specification may be found in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Brake fluid is harmful, so use caution and have an expert inspect it if you’re unsure.

Brake fluid should be changed at particular mileage intervals – read your owner’s manual for further information.

10. Air conditioning

It doesn’t matter if it’s 35 degrees outside or just below freezing, your air conditioner must be fully functional. Apart from visual inspections of the plumbing, there isn’t much you can do yourself.

Air conditioning system maintenance should be done by a qualified individual with the proper tools. When the air conditioner does not seem cool enough on hot summer days, this could suggest that the system needs re-gassing – this involves specialized equipment and should be left to a licensed service center.

11. Interiors 

Nobody wants their vehicle to be known as a “rusty-dusty car,” so maintain it clean by cleaning the interior on a regular basis, emptying the footwells, wiping down the dashboard, and keeping just the necessities in the boot.

It’s not just about being a tidy person; a clean inside also keeps you safe on the road; you wouldn’t want any wasted bottles rolling beneath your brakes, endangering your safety.

12. Exteriors

Wash your automobile on a regular basis to keep the outside clean. Focus on the headlights, brake lights, and number plates if you’re doing it by hand because they help you see and be noticed on the road.

Always keep all windows clean and clear. You could be penalized for driving a car in a “dangerous state” if your windscreen is dirty and obstructs your view of the road.

Is It Necessary For Me To Drive My Vehicle To A Garage?

If you perform these easy auto inspections, your car should be able to stay on the road for longer without needing to visit a technician, but if a more serious issue emerges, you should always seek professional assistance.

You can visit Suzuki Fort Motors any time to get your car checked by the market most competent professionals.