Car Service Tips

How to top up the transmission fluid

It’s very important to use only the transmission fluid specified in your owner’s manual to prevent the need for a car repair and an unscheduled car service.

For example, some Chrysler transmissions need a specific fluid and regular fluid like Dexron II may even destroy the transmission. Add a small amount of the fluid through the dipstick pipe and do not overfill it.

Wait for a few minutes – let the fluid flow down. Start the engine. Check the level again.

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Checking your Transmission Fluid

To check your transmissions fluid and the fluid level, park your car on level ground and start the engine.

Set transmission lever to the “P” (Park) position, and let the engine idle (on some cars this procedure may be different, please check the owners’ manual for details).

Pull the transmission dipstick (check your owner’s manual to find where transmission dipstick is placed in your car if you don’t already know where it is).

Wipe it with a lint-free clean rag or tissue. Then insert it back carefully all the way down into its place.

Pull again and check the fluid level. If the engine is cold, it should be above the “COLD” mark. If the engine is hot, the level should be at the upper end of the “HOT” mark. If it’s just a little bit lower you don’t need to worry. If required top it up.

Checking the Fluid Condition

If the fluid is black and has a burnt smell, your transmission isn’t going to last. Normally it should be clean and transparent. New transmission fluid is red in colour. Over time it turns brownish. If it is brown, check your owner’s manual, it may be time to change it. Some manufacturers require transmission fluid changed at 60,000km, others specify that you never have to change it – check your car’s manual for information pertaining to your car.

If you follow these tips you should decrease the chance of needing a car repair or unscheduled car service.

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PHONE: 1300 368 863

Checking Your Coolant Level

The coolant, like oil, is something your engine cannot go without and will cause damage and cause a car engine problem. Every engine is different but if you check your handbook you should find where the coolant reservoir is.

It will normally be bolted to one side of the engine bay or the other, and be a white semi-transparent bottle. Wait until your engine is cool and take a look at it – the outside should have ‘low’ and ‘high’ markings on it and the level of coolant inside should be between the two.

Usually the coolant level should be low when the engine is cold and high when the engine is hot.

Do not take the radiator cap off to check coolant levels.

If the coolant system is still hot then it is still under pressure and the pressure release may burn you.

If you follow this tip then this is likely to help your hip pocket come car service time.

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Check Engine Light

Check Engine Light and Maintenance

Modern cars now come with “OBD-II” (On Board Diagnostics 2). This great advancement in technology is a fault-registering system that is connected to sensors all over the car, engine, fuel and emissions system.

When the check engine light comes on, it can mean many things and to continue driving can cause car engine problems.

To date there are thousands of unique OBD2 codes that can be stored. Handheld OBD2 diagnostic tools can be plugged in to the OBD2 port which is commonly under the dash on the driver’s side or centre console or engine bay. Such tools have the ability to read out the fault code and/or reset the system to contain no codes. There are two main categories that these codes fall into: a. historical/inactive, and b. active. The historical codes are lists of things that have been detected in the past but are no longer an issue, whilst the active codes are things that are a problem right now. Codes are subdivided into B-codes (body), C-codes (chassis) and P-codes (powertrain).

The Most Common Fault Code: P0440 OBD-II code.

This is the most common code you’ll find. It is the first thing you should check. P0440 is the code for Evaporative Emission Control System Malfunction which covers a multitude of potential faults. One thing it covers that you can check is your petrol cap (gas cap). Most new cars have a pressurised fuel system and vapour recovery loop. If you’ve filled up with petrol and not twisted the petrol cap until it clicks, you’ve not sealed the fuel system. It won’t pressurise and the OBD2 system will log a P0440 code.

This fault is so common, on a lot of cars the car will have some way of telling you to check the petrol cap. In some Honda’s, for example, if a P0440 code is logged, the dash scrolls “CHECK PETROL CAP” across the odometer display. So if you get a check engine light, check the petrol cap first and see if the light goes off.

Note: Even if the light does go off, the code will likely still be stored in the OBD system and will show up next at your next car service or the next time it is checked. If it isn’t the petrol cap then you’ll need to call for a technician to attend and diagnose the source of the code.

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Oil Maintenance Light

Oil Level Maintenance and Oil Warning Light

Typically this light will come on if your oil pressure is too low. Low oil pressure is serious and if you continue to drive with this light on, eventually your engine will seize or die.

To prevent car engine problems and the need for an emergency car service do not drive your car when you see this light come on.

Low oil pressure can be caused by a failed oil pump, a blocked oil filter or strainer in the sump, or by low oil levels – for example if your engine is burning oil.

Either way, you need to get it fixed, and fast. Low oil pressure has the potential to cause serious damage to the engine if not attended to promptly.

Regular servicing will assist in preventing damage to your engine and extending the useful service life of your engine. The choice of oil is also very important with modern cars requiring the application of specific or special oils.

To assist you with any oil queries for you car, call a professional service technician from our sponsors page to check your oil and lubrication system.

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Home Tune Mobile Mechanics
www.hometune.com.au
PHONE: 1300 368 863