What you need to know.

Due to a recent request for a blog that explains some of the simpler things on a car such as where you can check the oil or how to jumpstart a car, I will be writing a few blogs on some of these things that are good to know.

The first thing that is very important on a car is where the oil dipstick is located. This allows you to check and see if your oil is at the appropriate level, whether it’s too full or too low. The dipstick will always be located right around the engine block, since the oil is located within the engine itself. The dipstick is almost always yellow, and comes out of a small tube that protrudes out of the back of the engine. On top the yellow part of the stick, there is an engine oil sign and in most cases a small ring where you can grab it and pull it out to be checked.

When checking the oil, grab an old rag or something that does not matter to wipe oil on it. Pull the dipstick out of the tube in which it is kept, and wipe all the oil clean from the bottom of it. Then place the dipstick back into the tube, making sure it is pressed all the way in and remove it once again. Look at the oil at the bottom of the stick, there will be two lines, one saying full and one saying low or add. As long as the oil is in between these lines the amount of oil in the vehicle is fine. Make sure to wipe and place the dipstick back into the tube.

Another very key thing to know is how to jumpstart a car when the battery is dead. The first thing to know is how to “pop” your hood open. There is a release lever that is located to the left of your steering wheel, under the dash, that when pulled will “pop” the hood. Then, in the front of the car between the front grille or bumper and the hood there is another lever that must be pulled up to allow the hood to open. Once the hood is open prop the hood up with the given rod usually attached right in front of the radiator or on the bottom side of the hood. Do the same with another car that is able to run and make sure the two cars are within range so the jumper cables will be able to reach from one car’s battery to the other.

With both car hoods open, place the red (+) wire on each battery terminal that is red (+), do the same with the black (-) wire between the two batteries. Make sure to keep the running car on, this will make sure there is enough power leaving the car battery to “jump” the other car. Once the wires have been connected, try starting the dead car. If this does not work, wait a minute and try again. After a few tries if this does not work, there is something more significantly wrong with the vehicle.

These are just two important things to know while driving and owning a vehicle. Let me know of any situations you’ve been in or anything else you want to know.