Contents: Outside the car: ⇓ Engine compartment: ⇓
The automobile as a means of transport appeared relatively recently - just a little over a hundred years ago, at the end of the 19th century. However, in such a relatively short period of time, it has evolved from a simple self-propelled carriage to a masterpiece of engineering thought, embodying the technologies and innovations of modern science. A modern car does not require complex maintenance operations necessary to maintain it in working order. However, in order to prevent and avoid serious breakdowns, it is necessary to identify them at an early stage of development, which will not only save on repairs (a malfunction of one element, not corrected in time, can lead to the development of a complex of malfunctions in the operation of individual elements, assemblies, units and even systems as a whole), but also to eliminate the reduction of the vehicle's service life specified by the manufacturer, and perhaps even extend its service life.
To do this, you need to perform the operations described below.
Before each trip, the driver must check the following:
Outside the car:
1. General condition and appearance of the car.
2. The condition of the wheels and tires, as well as the tightness of the wheel nuts (bolts). It is recommended to check the tire pressure (including spare tire).
3. No fuel or liquid leaks (it should be taken into account that on cars equipped with an air conditioning system there may be traces of liquid caused by condensation, which is not a malfunction).
4. Windscreen wiper condition (especially in winter). It is necessary to prevent the brushes from freezing, which can lead to damage to the windshield and the windshield wiper mechanism.
Engine compartment:
1. Check the engine oil level. Also check the technical condition of the engine oil. Inspect all engine joints for leaks of engine oil and coolant (if leaks are detected, see the chapter "Lubrication system").
2. Check the transmission oil level. Inspect all engine connection points for transmission oil leaks (if leaks are detected, see chapter "Transmission").
3. Check the brake fluid level in the expansion tank. If necessary, top up the brake fluid to the required level. Make sure there are no visible brake fluid leaks. Depending on the design of the hydraulic drive, the expansion tank for the brake system and clutch (cars with manual transmission) there may be one or there may be two.
4. Check the engine cooling system fluid level in the expansion tank.
(The original text can be found on: Mazbook)
5. Check the fluid level in the windshield washer reservoir.
6. Check the technical condition of the auxiliary equipment drive belt. Also check the tension of the drive belt (check manually by pressing your thumb on the belt between the generator pulley and the water pump).