Ok hands up who actually does this? 3 mins a week to give your car a basic health check and possibly save you from some very big bills that even the warranty wont cover if you fail to check the oil level is ok for example.......


ideally the car wants to be parked on level ground and be cool (hot bits under the bonnet can cause burns)

So first thing is to get the bonnet open.....

open the passenger door (uk) and look in the foot well locate the red tag and pull it gently till you hear the bonnet clunk open
Pull.JPG


next go round the front of the car


and feel in the centre of the crack between the bonnet and the bumper and push the tab to the right and lift the bonnet at the same time... (if this is stiff or jams clean it up and grease it well until it moves freely as this ensures the bonnet stays safely closed and stops it from flying open when driving)

Catch.JPG

once open use the strut on the drivers wing (uk) to prop the bonnet open by putting the free end through the hole in the hinge


now your faced with the bits that make your car go ;)

over view.JPG

there are a few things to check

take a bit of clean paper towel and locate the dipstick

Dipstick location.JPG
(red ring pull shape to the left of the engine as you look at it)


give it a tug and withdraw it all the way and wipe clean with the paper towel
clean dipstick.JPG
you will notice the hatch markings #####

now put the stick back in fully leave for 5 or so seconds then pull out slowly and check where the oil is on the stick

if the oil is within those hatch markings its ok, if its nearing the tip its about time to get it topped up (with the correct oil as with all the fluids the owners book suggests what to use)

this is 3/4 full

oil level.JPG



Push the dipstick back in fully


Next move on and check the coolent ((NEVER remove the cap if the engine is warm superheated steam can be released and cause bad burns))

coolent cap.JPG

look down between the radiator and the engine and you can see the levels marked on the bottle a torch can be handy to see the levels if your having trouble seeing them since the bottle is opaque

coolent level.JPG


next check the clutch fluid its at the back of the engine on the right hand side if its over full i wouldnt worry too much since it has a "bellow"seal which can displace the fluid to make it look higher in level than it actually is but i would worry if it was near minimum mark...


nearly done....


next check the Brake fluid bottle (upper left of the engine bay)

brake fluid level.JPG

again a torch is handy and check the fluid is between max and minimum markings which is embossed on the bottle

And Finally check the screen wash is full and if cold add an appropriate anti freeze screen wash solution to prevent it icing up and possibly damaging the washer jets.....

DSCF9015.JPG


it can even be done one handed whilst using a camera.... Just like this......