This is the most important under-hood service you can do. To check the oil level, make sure that the engine is turned off, then find the engine oil dipstick and remove it. With a paper towel or rag, wipe off the end of the stick and notice the markings on it. You will usually see a mark for "Full" and another mark for "Add." Check your owners manual to be sure. Push the stick back into the tube until it seats then immediately pull it out to see the oil level. You should not add oil unless the level is below the "Add" mark and NEVER add oil to bring the level above the "Full" mark. Your main concern with this check is that oil consumption is not rapidly increasing. If it is, bring your car to Nevco and have it checked out. Change your oil at regular intervals. Check your owners manual for recomendations.

Most automatic transmissions should be checked while the engine is running. Make sure the car is fully warmed up. Pull the transmission dipstick out, wipe off the end and note the markings on the end of the stick. The usual markings are "Full" and "Add 1 pint." Push the stick into the tube until it seats, then immediately pull it out to see the fluid level. Transmission fluid should be pink or red in color with the look and consistency of cherry cough syrup. If the fluid is a muddy brown or has a burnt smell, have it checked by Nevco. As with the engine, never add fluid unless it is below the "Add" mark and never bring it above the "Full" mark. Make sure you check your owners manual for the type of fluid and use the correct transmission fluid for your vehicle.

Frequent washing is the single best thing you can do to maintain and preserve your vehicle's finish. Don't wait to wash if you see bird droppings, dead bugs, or other obvious contaminants on the paint surface. Bird droppings have a high acidity that if left on the paint for any length of time, can eat into the clear coat. Wash after a period of rainy weather. The acidic chemicals in rainwater will remain on the surface after the rain drops have evaporated, leaving a mark that can permanently stain the paint. Avoid washing and waxing your car when the paint surface is hot. Use a dedicated car-wash soap, a milder formula that’s primarily intended to wash the surface dirt and grime off of a vehicle without hurting the protective coating

Brake fluid is possibly the single most neglected component of the automobile. Most drivers check their tire pressures and change their engine oil at frequent intervals, but virtually no one ever changes the brake fluid in their street car. The brake fluid reservoir is under the hood right in front of the steering wheel. Most cars today have a transparent reservoir so that you can see the level without opening the cover. The brake fluid level will drop slightly as the brake pads wear out. This is a normal condition and you shouldn't worry about it. If the level drops noticeably over a short period of time or goes down to about two thirds full, have your brakes checked by Nevco. Your vehicle takes a specific type of brake fluid; typically, DOT3 or DOT4 in newer vehicles, consult your owner's manual.

The radiator in your vehicle cools your engine and needs water and coolant (antifreeze) to function. Rather than open the cap on the radiator, just check to see whether the liquid reaches the “Full” line on the side of the coolant reservoir. The cooling system reserve tank is usually translucent white so you can see the fluid level without opening it. (Do not confuse it with the windshield washer tank). The reserve tank will have two marks on the side of it. "FULL HOT" and "FULL COLD." Most modern engines have aluminum cylinder heads, which require the an anticorrosive antifreeze. A 50/50 mix of liquid or coolant is usually sufficient. If the level frequently goes below "full cold" after adding fluid, you probably have a leak which should be checked by Nevco as soon as possible.

Most batteries today are "maintenance free" which simply means that you can't check the water level. This doesn't mean however, that there is nothing to check. The main things to check are the top of the battery which should be clean and dry, and the terminal connections which should be clean and tight. If the top of the battery continuously becomes damp or corroded soon after cleaning, then have your electrical system and battery checked by Nevco. To test a car battery with a multimeter, set the multimeter to measure DC voltage, and set the dial to 20 volts; with the car off, disconnect the battery cables and attach the multimeter leads to the positive and negative posts on the battery. Fully charged automotive batteries should measure at 12.6 volts or above.

Wiper blades should be changed by Nevco every 6,000 to 10,000 miles or twice a year . Wiper blades will tend to streak when they are dirty. Take a paper towel with some window cleaner and clean the rubber blade whenever you clean the windshield. Under the hood of your vehicle is a plastic container that contains the fluid for your windshield wipers. Is it full of liquid? If not, you can fill it with any one of a variety of windshield washer solutions — you can even use a home window cleaner. Just don’t use detergent, which can leave residue. Windshield washer solvent is readily available by the gallon in auto supply stores as well as supermarkets and it is cheap. It is fine to use with or without adding water but will clean better undiluted.

Nevco can check your belts and hoses when you bring in the car for an oil change. However, if you get your oil changed by some quick lube type centers, belts and hoses may not be on their list of items to check in which case you're on your own. These checks are best done while the car is cold. Hoses should be checked visually and by feel. You are looking for dry cracked rubber, especially at the ends where they are attached. You should also check the hose ends for any signs of ballooning or leaking. Replacement belts should be identical in length, width, and number of grooves to the factory belt. Serpentine belts are usually kept tight with an automatic tensioner. If in doubt, check with Nevco about any cooling problems, and always consult your owner's manual for maintenance procedures.

The cabin air filter, a feature found on most late-model vehicles, cleans the air that comes into the interior through the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system. It catches dust, pollen and other airborne material that can make riding in a car unpleasant. Recommendations on when it should be replaced vary by manufacturer — some say every 12,000 or 15,000 miles, others longer — and how often can depend on how much you drive and where. Check the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual. Replacing a cabin air filter is probably one of the easiest things you can do to keep your car comfortable. Most vehicles make the cabin air filter easily accessible, and replacing it is as easy as opening a box. You can get a fitting filter at any auto parts store.

For each gallon of fuel the engine burns, it requires up to 10,000 gallons of clean air; thus why the air filter is such an important engine component. As an air filter becomes dirty, the capacity for it to filter the air going into the engine is reduced. Because of this, the engine is not able to function properly, which may cause numerous drivability issues. Changing an air filter is relatively easy and inexpensive. Getting to the engine air filter may be a little trickier depending on the vehicle you have, but replacing it regularly is important. Your owner's manual will give you a mileage estimate for how frequently you should replace your engine air filter, but if you can get to it, check it. If it's dirty, replace it. Or bring your car to Nevco.

A red dashboard light suggests a potential serious problem with the vehicle or to your safety. A red warning light may also be used to remind you of an important issue. A orange or yellow dashboard warning light is intended to provide the driver information that the engine or a component of the vehicle needs repairing or servicing. A flashing dashboard warning light is used to inform the driver of a state of urgency that the engine or component of the vehicle needs repair or replacing. Green or blue dashboard lights are for informational purposes to inform the driver that a system or utility is in operation. Some lights are found on all vehicles, others may be specific to your vehicle. So it's a good idea to look in your handbook and make sure you're familiar with what each one means.

Buy a good tire gage and keep it in the car. Check your tires' air pressure and compare to the information on the tire information sticker in your vehicle's door, gas tank, or in your owner's manual. Improper tire pressure can affect tire wear as well as ride and handling. Always check them when they are cold. Inspect your tires closely for signs of uneven wear at least once a month. Most likely, the cause can be corrected by Nevco. If you find a problem and correct it in time, your tires may be able to continue in service. Certain uneven wear patterns or bulges on the sidewalls may indicate that the tire has suffered internal structural damage and requires the immediate attention of Nevco. During typical use, it's a good idea to have your tires rotated and balanced every 4,000 to 6,000 miles.