Eminently EveI remember vividly one day, I had just recently got my driver’s license and I was driving my sister’s car. I parked it somewhere and then as I was starting the engine again, smoke started coming out of the bonnet. I panicked and jumped quickly out of the car. Lucky, I was with my dad who immediately asked, “Did you check the water level before leaving?“. I looked at him so confused and asked “What water?“. He just went on to open the bonnet, saw that the coolant needed refilling, added it and everything was fine. That whole experience gave me a scare of a lifetime. I started thinking about how I love to travel especially to game parks and nature reserves which are basically secluded. If I don’t know anything about the machine I have to use then how am I going to survive. From that day onwards I knew I had to learn and understand everything I possibly can when it comes to the basics about vehicles because otherwise I was headed for trouble.
I will point out that, even as a passenger it is extremely important to also know some basics because as you can see from my experience, even though I was the driver I actually was clueless. So you never know, your knowledge might be the one to save the day. It is not a given that the driver always knows what’s going on. When travelling long distances it is also important to factor in a possibility of being faced by a survival situation where the one who is supposed to know is incapacitated or unconscious and you have to figure out ways to save yourself, friends, family or children.
So you may now be wondering, especially as a beginner, about what exactly you need to check or questions you need to ask around the status of the vehicle. There are two sets of checks – 1) quick checks which apply when the vehicle has recently been serviced or 2) thorough checks when the vehicle is almost due for a service or you just don’t trust that the owner takes really good care of his/her vehicle. Below are therefore 10 items from both sets to check &/or ask a mechanic to check for you before your trip. If you do not know where any of the items I am going to give reference to in this post are then you can refer to your vehicle manual for guidance.
PLEASE NOTE that your mechanic is the best person to take care of your vehicle. The list below is just a guideline, especially if you are a beginner, so that you know the questions to ask your mechanic when preparing for your road trip.
1. Engine Oil
Engine oil plays a crucial role of lubricating the parts of the engine that are constantly working and are prone to friction if they are to operate without a lubricant. This will result in them tearing, causing severe damage to the engine which may require complete replacement. To check your engine oil you want the vehicle to be on a flat surface, the engine switched off and left for at least 15 minutes. The engine oil dipstick can be found when you open the bonnet. So you pull out the dipstick, wipe off the oil with a cloth or tissue paper and put it all the way back. When you pull it out the second time, check that the oil is above the bottom marking (minimum level) but below the top marking (maximum level). If it is below the bottom marking then it is too low while above the top marking it is too high. A drop in the engine oil level below the minimum level could be that there is a leak or the engine is burning it away. You therefore need a mechanic to help with the correct diagnosis and solution to that problem. Too much engine oil above maximum level can cause permanent damage to the engine. Also take note of the colour of the oil to make sure it is not dirty. Old, dirty oil will reduce the performance of the engine, over work it and reduces the total lifetime mileage it can cover.
2. Gear box Oil
The gearbox oil plays an important role of lubricating the gearbox which (the gearbox) serves the purpose of increasing and reducing speed. It transmits power from the engine to the wheels. Therefore, without the oil, the gearbox will eventually blowup, causing the vehicle to come to a complete halt. Gearbox oil (in a vehicle with automatic transmission) is checked in a similar way to engine oil, however, it is better checked while the engine is running. You first locate the transmission dipstick which is found when you open the bonnet. To check the oil you pull out the dipstick, wipe off the fluid, place it back and check the level of the fluid on the dipstick. Dirty oil which is usually signalled by a dark brown, black colour needs to be changed. This oil plays an important role at reducing stresses placed on the gearbox and keeps it operating at its peak. Not checking and changing this oil before your trip (if there is need) will increase your chances of ending up with major gearbox repairs.
3. Brake fluid level
The way I would describe the brake fluid is that, it is a hydraulic messenger which ensures that the message being sent to the brake pads by stepping on the brake pedal is amplified to make sure that the braking effect is effective. Without the brake fluid it would require more than just a step on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The brake fluid therefore has to be checked. After locating the master cylinder in which the brake fluid is found (in the engine bay), the first thing is to thoroughly clean the master cylinder cap to make sure that there is absolutely zero dirt that will end up damaging the seals in the master cylinder. Brake fluid is also highly corrosive so it is important to make sure that non drips on the car surfaces.
Once you open the cap, you can proceed to dunk a white tissue paper slightly just to check the colour of the fluid. If the colour is darker than apple juice then it means the fluid needs to be replaced, in which case you can contact your mechanic. Proceed to check the level of the fluid which should come to the “max” mark. If it is lower and the colour looks right then you can add more brake fluid from a newly opened container until the fluid comes up to the mark (do not overfill). When you are done place the master cylinder cap back on.
4. Power steering fluid level
The power steering fluid is quite important as it ensures that the steering happening at the steering wheel is transmitted to the the front wheels so that the vehicle actually responds accordingly. The power steering fluid is found in the engine compartment, under the bonnet. To check the fluid, you remove the dipstick in the fluid, wipe it, place it back and pull it out again. Just like the engine oil dipstick, it also has a maximum and minimum level markings (Note that there are two scales – one marked “hot” and the other one marked “cold” – If the engine is cold, you will read the level of the liquid on the “cold” scale and if hot, you read the level of the liquid on the “hot” scale). So the first thing to check is the level where the fluid marks. If it is below minimum, then it needs to be refilled to maximum level. The second thing to check would be the condition of the fluid. If it is dirty then it needs replacement. The third and final thing to check is leakage. Red fluid in the engine area means that the power steering fluid is most likely leaking.
5. Coolant level
The role of the coolant is to protect the engine from overheating as it gets extremely hot while powering the vehicle. Without the coolant, an engine can wear down or even melt from overheating, resulting in the vehicle not being usable. To check the coolant level you need to locate the coolant reservoir which is found after opening the bonnet. A full and low mark is displayed on the container which is also translucent, making it is easy to see the actual level of the fluid. If the coolant fluid is close to or below the low mark then it needs to be added to the full mark. I would not advise any beginner to attempt to refill this on their own as serious injuries may be sustained if not done properly i.e. the engine has to be really cool before attempting to open the coolant reservoir. This is because of the pressure build up in the reservoir which will cause the fluid to spurt out. Most modern vehicles are equipped with a warning light, message or audible alarm if the coolant level is too low.
6. Windscreen washer water level
The windscreen washer is not something that would affect the functionality of the vehicle, however, if going on a road trip, especially via dirt road I would suggest for it to be filled so that the windscreen can be cleaned frequently to increase visibility. The accumulated dirt on the windscreen may disturb your view (especially at night) and may lead to all sorts of accidents. The windscreen washer is also located under the bonnet. You also want to clean the cap and its surrounding to remove any dirt before opening to make sure that no unwanted substances find their way inside the reservoir. You can proceed to open and check the level directly from where the cap was removed. If the fluid is lower than the “full” mark and you are going on a road trip then you can just go ahead and fill it. Something I like to do is add a teaspoon of Sunlight dishwasher to a full windscreen washer tank to obtain best results on cleaning my windshield whilst on the move.
7. Engine compartment
In the engine compartment you want to make sure that there are no water, oil or other fluid leaks. If there are any leaks then you want to use a white cloth or tissue paper to see the colour of the fluid to help you determine the kind of fluid that is leaking. If the leak is also a big one then you definitely have to give it some attention. You also want to check that the battery and battery terminals are not loose. These two affect the flow of electricity, therefore, when they are loose they may cause your vehicle to not start or start sluggishly. They may also cause your car lights to dim or fail completely.
8. Tyre pressure & vehicle accessories
On one of the doors, there is a tyre placard fixed there. It will give you the correct pressure that your tyres should have. Using the tyre pressure gauge (if you have one) you then check the pressure. You can also just take the vehicle to a tyre company and they will check the pressure for you. Some fuel stations also offer the same services.
Low tyre pressure causes the tyre to have less traction and it is less stable on the road. It also increases stopping distances by up to eight times. Tyre pressure above the requirement causes the tyre to overheat, leading to tread separation and in some cases blowouts, resulting in terrible accidents. It is therefore important to make sure that the tyre pressure is just the right amount before a road trip. The other parts of the vehicle that need to be checked to make sure that they are working properly include accessories such as headlights, indicators, reverse lights, tail lights, brake lights, windscreen wipers (both front & rear in case the rubbers need changing)
9. Air, Oil & Fuel filters
Oxygen in the air is required for the engine combustion process. The air however, needs to be clean and so air filters make sure that it is free of insects, dust/sand particles or debris before reaching the engine. To check the condition of the air filters you access them under the bonnet, in a box-like compartment which is secured with clips or wingnuts.You open that box and take out the air filter. Run the palm of your hand on the surface and if dirt transfers to your palm then you probably need to change the air filters. Oil filters’ role is to make sure that only oil clean passes into the engine. The engine requires a significant amount of clean oil to operate which if the filters accumulate dirt without being changed, some dirt will start passing with the oil and also the oil filter or ports will become clogged, reducing the amount of oil passing. This will eventually lead to the breaking down of the engine as the parts will wear out from friction. It is therefore recommended that whenever the engine oil is changed, the oil filters are changed too. Usually this happens whenever a vehicle is being serviced i.e. every 5000 – 10000kms. However, if you are close to a service and you have a road trip planned, it may pay off to just do an earlier service. The purpose of the fuel filter is to also protect the engine from dirt, rust particles and other harmful debris which may end up causing severe damage to the engine. Due to the state of our fuel in Zimbabwe, it may also be best to get the fuel filters checked at every servicing appointment. In many modern vehicles, these filters are not easily accessible so it is best to get them checked by the mechanic before a road trip if your vehicle is almost due for service.
10. Brake & Hand brake pads/shoes
Brake pads or brake shoes play a crucial safety role on a vehicle as they make the vehicle to slow down, stop or be stationary whenever the brake pedal or handbrake are used. It is therefore important to make sure that they are working properly before embarking on your trip. The status of the brake pads can be determined by their thickness. As they wear out, they start becoming thinner and thinner. Once they become less the 2 mm then it’s time to change them. They are basically found on the caliper which is better seen after removing the wheels. There is an outer brake pad and an inner brake pad on each caliper (one caliper on each wheel).
Sometimes the outer and inner pads get worn out at different rates so it is always better to check the condition of both pads. If you are not able to access these brake pads by yourself then you can take your vehicle to a mechanic. The good thing is you now know what a worn out break pad looks like and so you and your mechanic will be on the same page as he explains to you the condition of the pads. There are also other parts on the caliper like the seals and the caliper brake pad pins that can be checked at the same time and if they are damaged they will need to be replaced before fitting the new brake pads. Some vehicles use brake shoes instead (usually only at the rear, except in the case of classic or vintage vehicles or heavy trucks) and the concept of thickness still applies. As the brake shoes wear out they start becoming thinner. The handbrake usually also operates on brake shoes. These brake shoes need to be replaced once they are worn out otherwise the handbrake will not work efficiently.
One big cause of panic in many situations I’ve found it to be lack of knowledge. When I find myself in unfamiliar situations, I tend to panic more compared to if I have some idea of what to do in a particular situation. I do hope that knowing the points above will give you more peace of mind while you’re going on your road trip & allow you to enjoy your trips even more. The list is not exclusive so you can go ahead and share other tips that you know or discuss further with a mechanic.
PLEASE NOTE that your mechanic is the best person to take care of your vehicle. The list above is just a guideline, especially if you are a beginner, so that you know the questions to ask your mechanic when preparing for your road trip.
Otherwise, happy travels… Remember to always have a little intimacy in you life, & as always I’m talking about Intimacy With Nature 😊
