A daily check under the bonnet can prevent engine damage and save a lot of money. - File

While quite a few persons have a mechanic do the standard oil, filters and plugs change as required (and others, of course, do not), there are others, apparently smaller checks that anyone can and should do that are just as important to the life of the car.

As 63-year-old former heavy duty mining truck operator, Denton McKenzie, puts it, "every morning me used to check my oil and water and brakes. Them things can run out, or it mash up your engine".

He is, of course, right, as running out of fluids can cause major engine damage and accidents. And as mechanic Patrick Burton puts it, "it easy, anybody can do it, it don't take any time".

Quick checks

Coolant checks are done simply by unscrewing the radiator cap and checking the level, the same going for the reservoir. The oil check is done using the dipstick, on which there are markers indicating the high and low levels. Transmission fluid is a bit more intricate, as there is a level for when the car is off and another for when it has been started. There are brake fluid levels on the reservoir.

As for the power steering, he said "you can feel that get stiff if it run low, but you mus' check same way".

McKenzie points out that one of the simplest checks a motorist can do is to look on the ground where they have parked overnight.

"Anything can rub and start leak. Seal give way anytime and hose can crystallize. Is you have to make sure and check," he said.

Running out of coolant will at least make the engine overheat and, at worst, burn it out necessitating an overhaul. But, while the engine gives warning signals, such as the temperature gauge rising, and will more than likely shut down before a very serious situation, such as catching fire occurs, the transmission will give no such obvious signals before burning out.

Burton points out that there is one check that even many mechanics neglect to do, but which failure to do can leave a motorist really stuck. "Mos' people, even mechanic, jus' go pas' the battery," he said. "From the car start up and move nuff people don't bother with it. But the battery can fail at any time, if you don't put water in it."

Ironically, at at most $40 per bottle, the ionised water for the battery is the cheapest specialised fluid for a vehicle. "All you have to do is to unscrew the cover over the terminal and pour in, watching the level at the side," McKenzie said.

Burton points out that those who buy maintenance free batteries do not need to check their water levels.

"The mechanic see the car to service every three month. Is up to you to take care in between, because is you drive the vehicle every day and is you going to feel it when something happen," Burton said.