A CAR expert has revealed how to run a diagnostic test on your vehicle without paying for professional help.
The car enthusiast said it’s easier than most drivers think, and being able to do it yourself should give you some extra peace of mind if you’re worried about mechanical failure during long-distance drives.
Cong (@conggeshuoche) filmed and uploaded the tip to his booming TikTok account, which has more than 2.6 million followers.
He began his video by instructing viewers to check for enough motor oil.
Driving with adequate oil levels is vital, as the fluid gradually becomes contaminated and turns to sludge as it accumulates miles.
This sludge will not be able to lubricate the moving parts of the engine and can lead to more expensive future repairs.
Sticking the dipstick in a tube under the hood of your vehicle will verify that your engine has the proper oil levels.
Wands usually have bright yellow or orange handles, making them more easily identifiable.
Cong pointed out how the end of the dipstick has two lines, the lower one indicating that your oil is a quarter quart and the upper line showing that your oil tank is full.
Drivers should wait a few minutes before performing another dipstick oil assessment after topping up the oil to ensure it has settled completely.
Using a dipstick on a flat surface is vital if you want the most accurate reading.
Cong then asks viewers to rate their antifreeze levels under their car’s hood.
Antifreeze prevents engine coolant from freezing and is stored in a reservoir that usually contains minimum and maximum level markings, along with a triangle logo.
You can refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual to find the exact location of the coolant reservoir for your model.
If your antifreeze is below the minimum line on the tank, you may have a leak that needs fixing, a common problem, says Cong.
But driving with an antifreeze leak can result in the total loss of your vehicle as your engine will overheat, so checking your levels regularly will help you avoid more costly repairs in the future.
Cong also suggested checking the car’s brake fluid.
You can locate the brake fluid reservoir under the hood by looking for a reservoir with vertical minimum and maximum arrows pointing in separate directions or through the owner’s manual.
Cong explained that driving with low brake fluid levels can cause brake failure at high speeds.
Finally, this auto expert asked his viewers to check the timing belt wrapped around his engine for cracks.
A vehicle cannot run with a completely broken timing belt.
But while it may be inexpensive to replace, it can be incredibly expensive to have a mechanic do it, especially if it has caused other engine problems.
