Owning a car is exciting—but it also comes with responsibility. If you’re new to cars, or don’t know much about how they work, don’t worry. Taking care of your vehicle doesn’t require you to be a mechanic. Just follow this simple guide and your car will stay healthy, safe, and ready to take you anywhere.

🛢️ 1. Check Your Oil – It’s the Car’s Blood!

Oil keeps your engine running smoothly. But over time, it gets dirty and loses its power.

What to do:

• Open the hood and pull out the oil dipstick.

• Wipe it, put it back, then pull it out again to check the level and color.

• If the oil is too low or black and dirty, it’s time to change it.

• Do this check once every 2–4 weeks.

🛠️ Bonus Tip: Even if you don’t drive much, oil still ages. Change it every 6 months or 5,000–7,000 km.

🔋 3. Don’t Get Stuck with a Dead Battery

Car batteries usually last 3 to 5 years. Cold weather, short trips, or old age can kill them.

How to protect your battery:

• Check for white or green powder around the battery terminals – clean it with baking soda and water.

• If your car starts slowly, have your battery tested. Many shops do it for free.

🛑 4. Listen to Your Brakes

Good brakes save lives. If they feel soft, make noise, or you hear a high-pitched sound when you stop, get them checked immediately.

💡 Brake fluid also gets old. It absorbs water from the air, which makes brakes weaker. Change it every 2 years.

❄️ 5. Keep the Air Fresh and the Engine Breathing

Cars have two air filters:

• One for the engine – gives clean air to burn fuel.

• One for the cabin – gives you clean air to breathe.

🌬️ Change both every 10,000–15,000 km, or once a year. It keeps your car happy—and your nose too.

🔧 6. Use a Small Tool That Tells You Big Problems

You can buy a cheap tool called an OBD2 scanner (¥2,000–¥5,000). Plug it into your car, and it tells you what’s wrong when the “check engine” light comes on.

💡 This tool can save you from expensive garage visits.

💡 7. Check Your Lights Regularly

• Turn on all lights once a week to make sure they work: headlights, brake lights, blinkers.

• If one is out, it’s usually just a bulb—easy and cheap to fix.

🛠️ Many YouTube videos show you how to replace car bulbs yourself in 5 minutes.

🚿 8. Clean Under the Car Too!

Most people wash only the outside, but the bottom of your car collects salt and dirt—especially in coastal cities like Hiroshima.

🧽 Washing underneath once a month can prevent rust and damage.

🛠️ 9. How to Know If Your Suspension is Worn

Push down on each corner of the car. If it bounces more than once, your shocks may be worn out.

Also listen when turning: clicking or squeaking sounds may mean worn suspension parts or steering joints.

🧾 10. Keep a Simple Checklist – or Ask Your Seller!

When buying a car (especially a used one), ask about:

• 🕒 Last oil change

• 🔋 Battery age

• 🛞 Brake pad condition

• 🌬️ Air filter status

• ❄️ Air conditioner performance

• 🚗 Timing belt replacement history

If the seller (like us at Hiroshima Cars) provides this information, it means they really care about the vehicle.

✅ Final Advice

You don’t need to be a mechanic to take care of your car. Just treat it like a trusted friend—check it, clean it, and listen when something feels off.

With a little care, your car will take care of you for many years to come.