Good Day, as always I hope this finds each of you and all of you in good health and cheer and that your hubby is doing OK on his deployment. Normally I address my articles to Military Spouses in recognition of the fact that there are many Military Husbands at home as well. This article would probably be redundant for them as the usual division of duties puts the car care squarely on the male side of the household. So when Mrs Soldier is deployed the continuity remains, but not usually so when it’s the other way around. My Zena, The Warrior Princess, earned that title in large part because of some of her trials and tribulations with our family autos and my initial failure to give her the necessary training and tools, for this I was a dunderhead.
I recognize that over the last thirty years or so many of you have already learned this on your own so this may just be a review, but for my Zena, when we were first married the idea of her doing anything but driving the car and filling the tank, scared her to the point of near tears. But once she faced her fears like the homefront ranger she was, and I got off my butt and showed her what to do, things ended up with a good result.
Car care for the operator breaks down into three general categories; they are Daily Checks, Periodic Checks and Services, and Emergency Actions. I would also recommend that you include with your car insurance towing insurance and maintenance/repair response. If your insurance company doesn’t have it as part of their policies, sign up for AAA they are nationwide and the premiums will pay for themselves the very first time you need them and in the peace of mind provided. Additionally you should have a cell phone, never travel without one, especially alone.
Daily Checks
1. Before you start your car for the first time everyday do the following:
a. Walk all the way around your car and look for changes in the tires, and puddles underneath the engine compartment. If the tires are flat call AAA.
b. If there are puddles or dark spots under your car when you go out to start it for the first time of the day, you have a leak that cold lead to total failure of the engine, weather it is oil, antifreeze, or brake fluid, or fuel all are important and maintenance or repair is indicated. Once again call for help.
c. When you start he engine listen for changes in the sound. Most catastrophic engine failures signal themselves with knocks or vibrations. If it doesn’t sound right turn it off and get help.
2. After your car has been running when you come back to start it again as you approach the car take a moment and look for changes, is it tilted? (Tires) Are there puddles? (Note: On hot days you may see water dripping from the Air Conditioner system, usually on the passenger side of the car, under the rear half of the engine compartment, this is normal especially in areas of high humidity, no need for concern.) If so once again it’s time to call for help.
Enough said for one day, tomorrow Preventative Maintenance
This was a really good and needed article,…Car care is typically the guys job, but when they are thousands of miles away, this is probably the next to second best solutions. I’ll have to pass this around to my Military wives friends for sure.
Juanita – Thanks for posting and passing along the info..
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