Check it out yourself

By H. Kishie Singh

GONE are the days when a daily check-up of your automobile was required.

The new breed of cars is really something mechanically marvellous with large helpings of electronic gadgetry thrown in to monitor and control the functioning of the machine.

Some cars come without a tool kit. The days of the screw-driver technology are over. Graphic analysers are in! Be it to "tune" the engine, adjust alignment or analyse exhaust emissions—it’s all digital.

Service periods have been extended to cover 10,000 km. For most drivers that means to get your car serviced just once a year . It’s really a most comfortable feeling to be able to just drive your car, with no unscheduled stops at the roadside mechanic.

This makes looking after your car so much more fun. All you have to do is — keep it clean!

However, there is a daily morning check that you must carry out. A visual check of the car. Is it standing straight. An uneven posture could mean a flat tyre. With all the advancement in electronic gizmos in the car, the tyres have made the least progress in the last 10 years. Though Butyl tubes have extended the period for checking tyre pressure, they still need a periodic check. And remember to check tyre pressure in the morning when the tyre is cold. The air in the tube expands if the car stands in the sun or if it runs on the road. This could lead to inaccurate readings. Keep in mind that accurate tyre pressure is one of the principal factors responsible for fuel efficiency.

Uneven or wrong tyre pressure can affect cornering, braking, even going in a straight line. It can destabilise the car. It’s a simple matter to keep tyre pressure correct. About five minutes a week is all it takes. It does not hurt to walk around the vehicle. Check the offside tyres and door. Is the rear boot closed and locked? If you have children who use the rear seat, you may need to activate the rear door child safety locks.

Research has shown that this simple device, has saved many a child from accidentally falling out of a car. Use them if you have young children who ride in the rear seat. That’s where children should be. In countries where the law is enforced strictly, it is unlawful to have children in the front seat. It is dangerous because the child can be a source of distraction.

Maintenance-free batteries are another modern-day marvel. But don’t get fooled by the "maintenance-free" tag. These batteries still need maintenance, it’s just that the service period has been extended. Do not forget to have the battery checked from an authorised dealer. Remember, only distilled water should be added to the battery. In case of a claim from the manufacturer, the manufacturer will check and analyse the water. If you have added tap water, it will contain minerals and other impurities. This will be easily detected and the warranty and claim will become void.

You will do well to read the car manual as well. The fine print on a warranty card makes for informative reading. The fine print on an insurance policy’s covering note requires a magnifying glass to read. You should know what it says.

As mentioned earlier, all you have to do is to keep the car clean. Going to the ‘old style’ wash boys can be pretty detrimental to your paint. The grease monkeys who wash your car have one very wet towel. They spend more time wringing out the towel than cleaning the car. Take your own dhoti to wipe, clean and dry the car. You can’t dry a car with a wet towel.

Another disaster that can happen to your car paint — wash boy attendants usually have a blue soap cake, designed to ruin your paint.

There are a number of new car cosmetic products. There’s a wash-and-wax liquid. It does just that — washes, mildly shampoos the paint work and leaves a layer of wax on the paint as you dry and polish with a clean soft dry cloth. Remember the operative words: Clean with a soft dry cloth, not with a dirty wet rag.

Once a week, look under the bonnet. Most of the important checks can be done visually. The brake oil, the coolant, the windshield washer fluid, and the battery water are all placed in see-through plastic containers. A careful once-over will also help you get to know your car better. Look for loose wires, oil leak. Cars today are almost leak-proof, so the slightest hint of oil, coolant or petrol leak is a sure sign of impending danger. Check it out immediately.

Happy motoring!

This feature was published on October 30, 1999