Under The Hood Maintenance Every Girl Should Know

Ladies don’t like to admit it, but there are some things that just don’t interest them. This could be anything, from fishing to football, but today, it’s about cars. There are some simple under the hood maintenance tasks that every girl should know how to do. The funny part is, they’re not as difficult as those teenage boys at the local auto shop make them out to be. So, come on girls! Get some elbow grease going and pop that hood open! It’s time to give those boys a run for their money.

Checking Oil Levels

The simplest task that every man, woman, and child (well, okay, maybe not a child) should know how to do is how to check the oil. There’s a lot of fuss over whether the engine should be hot or cold while checking the oil, but the answer is neither. The engine should just be warm. Run the car for a few minutes and make sure it’s parked on even ground. Wait another few minutes for the oil to settle.

Get a clean rag handy and then remove the dipstick. Wipe the stick clean enough so that the markings on it are visible. Then slowly push the stick back into the oil container. Hold it there for a few seconds and then slowly pull it back up. The oil should reside somewhere between the two markings. If it’s lower than the bottom mark then it’s time to top it off.

There are a few different options when it comes to choosing the right oil for a Honda. She could refer to the owner’s manual that she got from the Honda dealership, or she could ask a reputable clerk from a local, Hollywood repair shop, or she can just google it. The internet knows everything, doesn’t it?

Changing The Air Filter

Changing the air filter isn’t as scary as it seems. It’s super accessible and simple to remove. Make sure the engine is off and then unscrew the air filter box. Carefully remove the air filter and give it a good look over. To really make sure it’s time for a change, shine a flashlight on it. If less than 50% of the light is coming through to the other side, then it’s time for a change. Take the new air filter and fasten it into place, then just screw the box back on. If the air filter doesn’t look that dirty then just pop it back on, but keep it on the back burner. It’ll most likely need to be checked out again soon.

Gas Levels

This last under the hood tip isn’t necessarily under the hood, but still a good tip to keep in mind. Keeping an eye on gas levels is important to maintain a proper running vehicle. Despite that lovely feeling of having a topped off gas tank, try not to fill it to the brim. Also, never let the gas run too low, especially in the winter. Intense fluctuations in gas levels can cause the gas tank to expand.

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