| Some car owners would struggle to remember | | | | dark honey colour. If it is black or sludgy with bits |
| the last time they checked under the bonnet of | | | | in it or white froth then there may be a problem |
| their vehicle. However there are items which need | | | | and you should ideally consult a mechanic before |
| to be checked regularly including fluids for the | | | | continuing your journey. |
| windscreen wash, the engine oil, engine coolant | | | | 4.If it’s low, then get it topped up yourself |
| and the brake and power steering fluids. | | | | using the instructions in the car handbook to find |
| The windscreen wash needs to be topped up | | | | the filler cap and get the right grade of oil. |
| regularly. This should be mixed with the correct | | | | The engine coolant is one of the easier fluids to |
| amount of water as highlighted on the packaging | | | | check in the car. Most cars have a clear reservoir |
| and then check with the car handbook to identify | | | | under the bonnet so you can see if it’s |
| where it needs to be put in from. Try and keep a | | | | between the minimum and maximum markers. |
| spare bottle in the car boot as you may find it | | | | However, look out for puffs of white smoke |
| very useful if you’re in a remote place and | | | | from the exhaust as this may mean that the car |
| need to give your windscreen a good clean to | | | | is burning up. |
| improve visibility. | | | | The brake and power steering fluids are |
| The engine oil needs to be checked using a | | | | potentially hazardous materials and they must be |
| dipstick. If you don’t know where it is located | | | | stored in clearly marked containers, away from |
| then consult the car handbook as it varies with | | | | youngsters. Only use new brake fluid, if old brake |
| different vehicles. Some cars don’t have a | | | | fluid is used then this could cause contamination |
| dipstick because the car itself can automatically | | | | resulting in damage to the braking system. Check |
| check this for you. If you need to check this | | | | that there is a sufficient amount of brake/power |
| manually, then follow these instructions: | | | | steering fluids in the car by checking that they |
| 1.If the engine is still warm, park the car on a level | | | | are filled between the minimum and maximum |
| surface and switch the engine off. Let it cool | | | | markers on the container. If the level is below the |
| down for at least five minutes and then open the | | | | minimum marker and the warning light is on in the |
| bonnet. | | | | car then top this up to the maximum point. If you |
| 2.Remove the dipstick, wipe with a clean cloth and | | | | find that you’re topping this up fairly regularly |
| put the dipstick back in. | | | | then have the car checked by a qualified |
| 3.Remove the dipstick and check that the oil at | | | | mechanic as it could be that the car system has |
| the bottom is between the minimum and | | | | developed a leak. |
| maximum markers. The oil should be clean with a | | | | |