NowAuto Group, Inc.

Here are some preventative maintenance tips that can help you take care of your car, and help extend the life of your motor. Please be sure to follow the directions carefully and always wear protective gear when performing these actions.

The oil in your engine is EXTREMELY important to the motor life of your vehicle. So checking its level is very important. This is a fairly simple procedure.

1) It’s best to take your car for a quick drive before checking your oil. Let your car sit for at least 5 minutes before checking, so that the oil can settle.
2) Locate the dipstick. It will be near the front of your engine (the handle is sometimes brightly colored.)
3) Remove the dip stick and wipe off any oil with a clean rag or towel.
4) Reinsert it and slowly remove it again. Check the level (There are two hash marks on the dip stick, the oil should be in between those marks.)

Note: If the oil is below the lowest hash mark you need to add oil. Normally a quart will do, but always double check your oil levels while adding to know how much is needed. In the end you need to have the oil between the hash marks. BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVERFILL, as this can lead to other mechanical problems.

This dipstick looks like the oil dipstick because they both normally have bright colorful markings. It also has two hash marks like the oil dipstick telling you a level for too low and too high. Usually the transmission dipstick is located behind the oil dipstick and doesn’t stick up as high.

1) BE SURE TO REMOVE ANY LOOSE CLOTHING. If anything is hanging it can get caught in the fan belt. (Ex: Scarves, Sweaters, Necklaces…etc.)
2) With the engine running, locate the transmission dipstick and remove it.
3) Remove any fluid with a rag or towel and reinsert.
4) Take it back out and check the level.
5) Look at the color of the fluid. If it is very dark or black plan on getting it changed since it is probably overdue.

Note: Normally your fluid shouldn’t be low but if it is this means you probably have a worn seal or a crack somewhere in your system. (If you have an oily patch on your driveway from your car and its red or reddish-brown you have a transmission leak and need to see a mechanic.)

When checking a manual car transmission be sure to turn the engine OFF.

1) With the engine off get under your car and remove the fill plug with a wrench.
2) Stick your finger in and feel for fluid.
3) If you can feel fluid on the tip of your finger you are probably ok.
4) Look at the color of the fluid. If it is very dark or black plan on getting in changed. It is probably overdue.

When checking the Radiator/Cooling System, be sure to turn the engine off. NEVER CHECK THE RADIATOR WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. The contents inside of the radiator are pressurized and can burn you if the system is opened when hot. Check the contents inside when the engine is cool or lukewarm, not cold and again NEVER WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT!

1) Locate the white plastic overflow container on the side of the engine next to the radiator (it is connected with a hose.)
2) Check to make sure that the fluid is between the hot and cold marks
3) Now, locate the radiator, this should be in the front-center of your engine.
4) After the car has cooled down remove the radiator cap.
5) Look down into the radiator and see if you can spot any liquid.
6) If it is near the top you are in good shape, if not then you will need to add some.

Note: The radiator fluid is always added as a 50/50. 50 % water and 50 % coolant. Be sure to read the instructions on the coolant container for more details.

Some cars now have what is called a “maintenance-free battery” which should not be tampered with. It is easy to tell if you have this kind of battery because it has a flat top with no openings. But most cars have the standard battery that has 6 cells that need occasional refilling.

1) To access the 6 caps pry them off with a flat-head screwdriver, or just unscrew the six caps.
2) It is better to fill the battery cells with distilled water because of the fact that regular water has contaminants that can cause corrosive build up in the batteries terminals.
3) The battery cells should be filled to the bottom of the fill hole and no further.

CAUTION: Battery acid is very dangerous to the skin and eyes so be sure to wear eye protection and gloves when doing this procedure.


According to the EPA’s FuelEconomy.com web site, you can increase your gas mileage up to 10% just by changing your air filter!

When changing your air filter be sure to park your car in the shade and wait for it to cool down. You can do this procedure with two medium sized screwdrivers, one standard and one Phillips head. The air filter is normally located in a black plastic casement near the center of the engine near the top. (Normally in larger vehicles it is located off to the side)

1) Locate the Air filter and take off the casing. (Normally the casing is held together by large metal clips that need to be pried back, or it’s screwed together.)
2) Once the casing is off take out the air filter and look at it (it is normally bright colors like orange, yellow or red)
3) Hold it up at arms length looking at it straight on, bend it back and look in the crevices.
4) Are the crevices dirty? No big deal, just replace it.
5) Close the casing and put the air filter in a bag. (You will want to take it with you to the store so you can match it correctly.)
6) Once you buy the new air filter install it, and seal up the air filter.

Note: It is okay to drive a short distance without an air filter but, it is better to put the dirty air filter back in till you get a new one.


The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that one-in-four cars and 1-in-3 light trucks and SUVs has one or more tires under-inflated by 8 pounds per square inch (psi) or more. The EPA estimates that for every one psi of under-inflation, fuel economy drops by 0.4%. That may not seem like much, but if your tires are under-inflated by 8 pounds per square inch, that’s a 3.2% drop in fuel economy. NHTSA estimates that about 1.2 billion gallons of fuel are wasted annually due to under-inflated tires. Proper inflation of your tires will not only improve fuel economy, it will make your tires last longer and your car handle better.