Window Washer Fluid and Air Conditioner Refrigerant: Monthly Automotive Maintenance Part 6

Guess what?? These are the last two fluids left to check every month, to keep your vehicle sufficiently hydrated and all of its thirsts quenched. These two fluids, while not crucial to the life of your vehicle, make driving that vehicle more pleasant and comfortable. Also, these are the only two fluids that do get used up. If the levels get low, adding the proper fluids is something that needs to be done for the mechanical equipment to work. No washer fluid, no clean windshield. No air conditioning refrigerant, no air conditioning.

Air Conditioning Refrigerant

Checking the level of your air conditioning refrigerant is a procedure that your technician will have to complete for you. Because it is not actually a fluid, but a gas. In most of the newer model cars, there is a light in the instrument panel that goes on when your refrigerant is low, or there is some other problem with the air conditioning.

Windshield Washer Fluid

Almost every newer model vehicle on the roads today has a light in the instrument panel that will tell you when you are low on washer fluid. And most vehicles that are equipped with rear windshield wipers will have a receptacle located in the rear of the vehicle that contains the fluid for the rear windshield. Your owner’s manual will tell you how to access that container.

Although it seems as if it would be logical, and certainly less expensive to simply use a household window cleaner to refill your vehicles washer fluid, it is not a good idea. Household cleaners are just not designed for windshield use. These fluids would freeze in the winter and crack the reservoir, and they would not be able to adequately remove the road salt, bugs, or any other nameless disgusting thing that hits your windshield at speeds of 50 miles per hour, or more.

Checking the level and refilling your windshield washer fluid reservoir is a very simple process.

1.    Park your car on level ground, in your driveway, or parking space.
2.    Allow the engine to completely cool down. Never perform this check on a warm engine, the windshield washer fluid gets hot, and if the hose should slip or come loose, you could be splashed with scalding fluid.
3.    In order to effectively clean your windshield, without smearing it, and to keep the fluid from freezing in the reservoir during winter, windshield washer fluid consists of detergent, water, and a type of antifreeze.
4.    The washer fluid container is going to be either a jug or a box shaped reservoir, made of clear plastic, and it will be located pretty close to the windshield, with a hose leading from inside the container, and clamped to aim at the windshield.
5.    If the fluid level is below the marked fill line, then add the recommended washer fluid type for your make and model of vehicle.
6.    Make sure that the cap is replaced tightly.

That concludes all of our lessons dealing with the fluids in your vehicle.

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Monthly Automotive Maintenance Part 7

Maintaining the health and well-being of your vehicle between regular recommended tune-ups is up to you. The manufacturers and the designers of your car, created the best possible automobile for your needs, with the belief that you depend on your vehicle, which you do. In return for providing you with safe, reliable, and comfortable transportation, your car only asks in return to be taken care of and treated with respect.
This means that you need to keep an eye and an ear open for any problems or concerns that arise with any and all of the gadgets, thingies, and doo-dads that make your car go.

The list below will give you an idea of what to be aware of and to watch out for that may indicate a potential repair issue. In addition to the other topics we have already discussed in the previous articles.

Important items to check every month

1.    Inspect the battery, for any corrosion or leakage. If there is any, then replace the battery immediately.
2.    Open the hood and have a listen for any noises that just don’t sound quite right. After you have owned your car for a little while, you will become familiar with the normal sounds that your engine makes when the car is running as it should. If you do hear any unusual sounds, and cannot determine what is causing the noise, take the car in to be serviced.
3.    While the engine is running, check to be sure that each of the lights is working properly. Head lights, taillights, turn signals, back-up lights, and the dashboard (instrument panel) lights. If one or more is not working, check the wiring, and the bulbs, to determine if any need to be replaced.
4.    Turn on the windshield wipers, if they are not in good contact with the windshield; push them down just a touch. If the blades are damaged, replace them.
5.    Check the pressure level on all four tires, and the spare. If any are low, take them to a gas station, and fill them up.
6.    Also inspect the tread on the tires, if the wear seems uneven, you should consider having the tires rotated.
7.    Take a look under the car, if you see any spots on the ground, find out what is leaking. If you cannot repair the leak yourself, take the car in for an early check up.

Items you may want to have on hand

It is a good idea to keep in your garage, a few of the more important necessities for minor repair issues. Just in case you need them immediately. There isn’t always a service station or a hardware store open when you need one.

•    Motor oil
•    Brake fluid
•    Transmission fluid
•    Tire gauge
•    Spark plugs
•    Coolant and purified water
•    Hoses, vacuum and basic
•    Belts, for the important parts such as the clutch
•    Filters, air, and oil
•    Fuses, in a variety of sizes and for various needs
•    Windshield washer fluid
•    Bulbs for the lights

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