Our country Nigeria is going through a recession due to the drop in price of crude oil in the international market.

Companies are downsizing, the exchange rate is going higher, the individual purchasing power is reducing. Cost of funds is also going higher. We are left with no choice other than making sure we cut down on our expenses and make as much savings as we can.

So, how do we make our car serve us better and how can we save on our car maintenance this austere period?

First of all we have to make sure we do basic routine checks on our vehicle at least once a week or every other day depending on how old the car is. This checks are;
Check engine oil level. If you notice a reduction in oil level over time, check for oil on the floor where your normally park and also get a mechanic to look around the engine for leakages. Make sure you rectify where the leakage is coming from.
Check transmission fluid. The transmission system is a closed system. If you notice any drop in the level of the fluid, that means there is leakage in the system. Make sure you get a mechanic to check and rectify the fault.
Check brake fluid. When the level of of the brake fluid goes down, it shows that the brake pads are wearing out gradually. If the brake feels funny at the pedal or the brake fluid goes low suddenly, then there is a leakage in the brake system. Have this checked and rectified.
Radiator water should also be checked regularly. Usually the plastic water reservoir connected to the radiator should be filled to the specified level. Make sure it is not overfilled and it doesn't dry out. Also make sure you replace cap.
Check power steering fluid. This is also a closed system. If there is a drop in the level of the fluid, there is a leakage in the system and it should be checked and rectified.
Just as you have the vital signs of the body system, these are the vital fluids of your car. If any of it should dry up due to the fact that you don't check as often as you should or because of a leakage in the system, your car will not only come to a halt, but also there will be mechanical damage which will cost you a lot of money to rectify.

Make sure you make out time to check and observe all these fluids.

My next post will be on regular maintenance you should do on your vehicles and the interval they should be done.

Comments will be appreciated

thanks bro..... this is necessary as this cost me a new engine last week as the former one knocked. The fan was not working and I didn't notice.... was driving a long distance and did not notice the heat meter.... I stopped after smoke started coming out of my engine....it was too late.

Sorry about this.
It could happen to anybody.
Most car drivers don't check what their car guages are reading while driving.
When the car cooolant temperature rises, a lot of us don't notice till someone alerts us that our car is 'smoking' or the car stops, that is when we realise our car is overheating.
If we are unlucky, our engine's gasket or engine would have been damaged.
We should not only be mindfull of our fuel guage reading. Other readings matters too.

The Car wey I don Park since abi which one

Carboyfriend if na only gasket burn, consider yourself lucky. There are situations where your con rod bearings melt in turn damaging your crankshaft.

Trust me, better a burnt gasket.

thank u op I beg is there anything I can do to reduce my car fuel consumption? its Nissan Quest 2000 V6.

Well done. Can you please educate me where to locate all this fluids in Camry 2.2? Please am waiting

This is the problem am facing now. My gear oil went low and I didn't notice that. Last night the gear stick went soft and free, no friction. Worse still, the gears were not selecting.

Moreover when it happened last night my neighbour helped me with brake transmission fluid into the gear oil tank. He said it does the same function. Unfortunately, it didn't save the situation. Please how true is this?

I have asked my mechanic to come with gear oil to service it. I pray nothing else would be affected.

VitaminB12:
This is the problem am facing now. My gear oil went low and I didn't notice that. Last night the gear stick went soft and free, no friction. Worse still, the gears were not selecting.

Moreover when it happened last night my neighbour helped me with brake transmission fluid into the gear oil tank. He said it does the same function. Unfortunately, it didn't save the situation. Please how true is this?

I have asked my mechanic to come with gear oil to service it. I pray nothing else would be affected.

How the hell can you ad brake oil into your gear' oil tank?!!!!!!!!!!! Who does that!?
What the hell
Just buy a new gear box and flush the system!!
Good luck

VitaminB12:
This is the problem am facing now. My gear oil went low and I didn't notice that. Last night the gear stick went soft and free, no friction. Worse still, the gears were not selecting.

Moreover when it happened last night my neighbour helped me with brake transmission fluid into the gear oil tank. He said it does the same function. Unfortunately, it didn't save the situation. Please how true is this?

I have asked my mechanic to come with gear oil to service it. I pray nothing else would be affected.

Brake oil into gear?? That your neighbor sef..

You can attempt to flush the gear and hope it works. Do not attempt to repair it if flushing fails, just change the gear box.

VitaminB12:
This is the problem am facing now. My gear oil went low and I didn't notice that. Last night the gear stick went soft and free, no friction. Worse still, the gears were not selecting.

Moreover when it happened last night my neighbour helped me with brake transmission fluid into the gear oil tank. He said it does the same function. Unfortunately, it didn't save the situation. Please how true is this?

I have asked my mechanic to come with gear oil to service it. I pray nothing else would be affected.

Brake oil ... Your gearbox is toast...

Nice post

Plenty problems!!

VitaminB12:
This is the problem am facing now. My gear oil went low and I didn't notice that. Last night the gear stick went soft and free, no friction. Worse still, the gears were not selecting.

Moreover when it happened last night my neighbour helped me with brake transmission fluid into the gear oil tank. He said it does the same function. Unfortunately, it didn't save the situation. Please how true is this?

I have asked my mechanic to come with gear oil to service it. I pray nothing else would be affected.

Oluku...Add Red oil to counterbalance the effect

Break oil for gearbox!!!!!!! Jezuz

VitaminB12:
This is the problem am facing now. My gear oil went low and I didn't notice that. Last night the gear stick went soft and free, no friction. Worse still, the gears were not selecting.

Moreover when it happened last night my neighbour helped me with brake transmission fluid into the gear oil tank. He said it does the same function. Unfortunately, it didn't save the situation. Please how true is this?

I have asked my mechanic to come with gear oil to service it. I pray nothing else would be affected.

nothing like brake transmission fluid rather it could be that he added the power steering fluid which is an ATF. Pls cross check!

VitaminB12:
This is the problem am facing now. My gear oil went low and I didn't notice that. Last night the gear stick went soft and free, no friction. Worse still, the gears were not selecting.

Moreover when it happened last night my neighbour helped me with brake transmission fluid into the gear oil tank. He said it does the same function. Unfortunately, it didn't save the situation. Please how true is this?

I have asked my mechanic to come with gear oil to service it. I pray nothing else would be affected.

that your neighbour is wicked oo. brake fluid is not a lubricant. I pray u don't have to purchase another gear.

Mishydoo:




Oluku...Add Red oil to counterbalance the effect

Or something more viscous..... tomato paste
Make ee for no dey move around freely.
His neighbour is truly a good samaritan

Please my camry 2.2 V6 how long can it be used before changing gear oil cos its over 2years now and have not change it and what is the recommended gear oil to buy when changing it..and I have a leak under the car but it looks its the break oil what can cause that..

mykl01:


Or something more viscous..... tomato paste
Make ee for no dey move around freely.
His neighbour is truly a good samaritan

lol...bad guy

VitaminB12:
This is the problem am facing now. My gear oil went low and I didn't notice that. Last night the gear stick went soft and free, no friction. Worse still, the gears were not selecting.

Moreover when it happened last night my neighbour helped me with brake transmission fluid into the gear oil tank. He said it does the same function. Unfortunately, it didn't save the situation. Please how true is this?

I have asked my mechanic to come with gear oil to service it. I pray nothing else would be affected.

Start by stating your car model, year & engine capacity.

Get the car scanned, get the manufacturer recommended transmission fluid & do a repeated flush on gear & drive again.

Demrich:
nothing like brake transmission fluid rather it could be that he added the power steering fluid which is an ATF. Pls cross check!

No, there is brake transmission oil known as hydraulic oil.

Mishydoo:




Oluku...Add Red oil to counterbalance the effect

The way you guys insult people you have never met before, had any discussion or interaction before amazes me. Am so shocked....Thanks anyway

luvinhubby:


Start by stating your car model, year & engine capacity.

Get the car scanned, get the manufacturer recommended transmission fluid & do a repeated flush on gear & drive again.

RX300 2001, my mechanic said I have to change the 'van/vam body' of the gear, that its faulty. That it costs 30k while I learnt from a dealer that it is 10k

gunther6:


Brake oil ... Your gearbox is toast...

My bad..i just found out from him that it was rather Hydraulic fluid that he poured in.

Your car should be checked properly always regardless of how the financial economy stands. Waiting for austere times to be more careful doesn't make economic sense.

penzino:
The Car wey I don Park since abi which one

Carboyfriend if na only gasket burn, consider yourself lucky. There are situations where your con rod bearings melt in turn damaging your crankshaft.

Trust me, better a burnt gasket.

Thats a really bad one.

Hope you are saving to buy another engine?

All the best.

sammylove22:
Well done. Can you please educate me where to locate all this fluids in Camry 2.2? Please am waiting

Hi.

You need to ask your mechanic to show you the exact location of the dip stick for your engine oil and transmission fluid.

He should also show you the location of other things you need to check regularly.

sammylove22:
Well done. Can you please educate me where to locate all this fluids in Camry 2.2? Please am waiting

Hi.

You need to ask your mechanic to show you the exact location of the dip stick for your engine oil and transmission fluid.

He should also show you the location of other things you need to check and top-up regularly.

moscobabs:
thank u op I beg is there anything I can do to reduce my car fuel consumption? its Nissan Quest 2000 V6.

Hi.
Is your check engine light on?
If it is, you will need to run a scan. Your oxygen sensors may be faulty.

Phoenix001:
Nice post

Thanks