You don’t need to be a mechanic to take good care of your vehicle. In fact, there are several simple checks you can do yourself in just a few minutes that will help you catch small problems before they become expensive repairs.
These basic checks don’t require special tools or technical knowledge—just a few minutes once a month and a willingness to pop the hood. Not only will this help you stay on top of your vehicle’s needs, but you’ll also feel more confident about your car’s condition and better equipped to have informed conversations with your mechanic.
Let’s walk through ten simple checks that every Edmonton driver can do at home.
1. Check Your Tire Pressure
Why it matters: Properly inflated tires improve fuel efficiency, extend tire life, and keep your family safer on the road. Under-inflated tires wear faster and reduce your vehicle’s handling, while over-inflated tires provide less traction.
How to do it:
- Find the recommended tire pressure on the sticker inside your driver’s door jamb (not on the tire itself)
- Check tires when they’re cold—before you’ve driven anywhere
- Use a tire pressure gauge (available at any auto parts store for under $10)
- Add or release air as needed at any gas station
When to do it: Once a month, and before any long trips. Also check after extreme temperature changes—tire pressure drops in cold weather.
What you’re looking for: Each tire should be within 2-3 PSI of the recommended pressure. Edmonton’s temperature swings mean you’ll likely need to adjust pressure when seasons change.
2. Inspect Your Tire Tread
Why it matters: Worn tires can’t grip the road properly, especially in rain, snow, or ice. This is particularly important in Edmonton where weather conditions can change quickly.
How to do it:
- The easy way: Insert a quarter into the tire tread with the caribou’s nose facing down
- If you can see the top of the caribou’s nose, your tread is getting too low
- Check multiple spots around each tire, as wear can be uneven
- Look for any unusual wear patterns, bulges, or objects stuck in the tread
When to do it: Monthly, along with your tire pressure check.
What you’re looking for: Even wear across the tire surface. If one edge is more worn than the other, you might need an alignment. If you see bulges, cracks, or embedded objects, have your tires inspected professionally.
3. Check Your Oil Level
Why it matters: Your engine needs sufficient oil to run properly. Low oil can cause serious engine damage, and checking it regularly helps you catch leaks or excessive oil consumption early.
How to do it:
- Park on level ground and turn off the engine
- Wait 5-10 minutes for oil to settle back into the oil pan
- Locate the dipstick (check your owner’s manual if needed—it’s usually a brightly colored handle)
- Pull it out, wipe it clean with a paper towel, reinsert it fully, then pull it out again
- Look at where the oil line falls between the minimum and maximum marks
When to do it: Once a month, and before any long trips.
What you’re looking for: Oil level between the minimum and maximum marks. If it’s low, add the oil type recommended in your owner’s manual. If you’re frequently adding oil between changes, mention this to your mechanic—it could indicate a leak or other issue.
4. Inspect Your Wiper Blades
Why it matters: Good visibility is essential for safe driving, especially during Edmonton’s rainy springs and snowy winters. Worn wiper blades can leave streaks or miss spots, reducing your ability to see clearly.
How to do it:
- Lift each wiper blade away from the windshield
- Look at the rubber edge—it should be smooth and intact
- Run your finger along the rubber to feel for roughness, cracks, or tears
- Check that the blade sits flush against the windshield when lowered
When to do it: Every few months, especially before winter and spring.
What you’re looking for: Cracks, tears, stiffness, or any damage to the rubber. If the blades are chattering, streaking, or missing spots when you use them, it’s time for replacement. Wiper blades typically need replacing once or twice a year.
5. Check Your Lights
Why it matters: Working lights keep you visible to other drivers and help you see the road. A burned-out brake light or headlight is also a safety issue and can get you a ticket.
How to do it:
- Turn on your headlights (both low and high beams) and walk around to make sure both are working
- Turn on your hazard lights and check all four corners
- Have someone press the brake pedal while you check the brake lights
- Turn on your signal lights and check both front and rear on each side
- Check your reverse lights by backing up near a wall or garage door at night
When to do it: Monthly, and always before road trips.
What you’re looking for: All lights should illuminate brightly and clearly. If any are dim, flickering, or out, replace them. Most bulbs are inexpensive and many can be replaced at home, though some require professional installation.
6. Look for Fluid Leaks
Why it matters: Fluid leaks can indicate problems with your engine, transmission, brakes, or cooling system. Catching them early prevents running low on critical fluids and identifies problems before they cause damage.
How to do it:
- Look under your vehicle where it’s normally parked
- Check for any puddles, drips, or stains on your driveway or garage floor
- If you see fluid, place a piece of cardboard under your vehicle overnight to see how much accumulates
When to do it: Weekly quick glance, and monthly closer inspection.
What you’re looking for:
- Dark brown or black: Probably engine oil
- Red or pink: Likely transmission or power steering fluid
- Green, orange, or yellow: Coolant/antifreeze
- Clear water: Normal condensation from air conditioning (nothing to worry about)
- Any fluid other than clear water warrants a trip to your mechanic
7. Check Your Battery Terminals
Why it matters: Corroded battery terminals can prevent your car from starting, especially in Edmonton’s cold winters when batteries are already working harder. Clean terminals ensure good electrical connection.
How to do it:
- Open your hood and locate the battery
- Look at the two terminals (metal posts) and cable connections
- Check for white, blue, or greenish crusty buildup (corrosion)
- Make sure cable connections are tight (don’t remove them yourself unless you know how)
When to do it: Every few months, and especially before winter.
What you’re looking for: Clean, tight connections. A little corrosion is normal and can often be cleaned with a wire brush and baking soda solution. Heavy corrosion or loose connections should be addressed by a professional. If your battery is more than 4-5 years old and showing corrosion, consider having it tested.
8. Inspect Your Belts (The Ones You Can See)
Why it matters: Drive belts power important accessories like your alternator, power steering, and air conditioning. A broken belt can leave you stranded or cause expensive damage.
How to do it:
- With the engine OFF, open the hood and locate the drive belts (rubber belts running between pulleys)
- Look for cracks, fraying, glazing (shiny appearance), or missing pieces
- Check that belts aren’t too loose (they should have just a little give when pressed)
When to do it: Every few months during your other checks.
What you’re looking for: Belts should look relatively smooth and uniform. Small cracks are normal as belts age, but deep cracks, fraying edges, or chunks missing mean it’s time for replacement. If you see significant damage, schedule service soon—don’t wait for the belt to break.
9. Check Your Coolant Level
Why it matters: Your coolant system prevents your engine from overheating in summer and freezing in winter. Low coolant can cause serious engine damage and is especially important in Edmonton’s temperature extremes.
How to do it:
- IMPORTANT: Only check when the engine is completely cold—never when hot
- Locate the coolant reservoir (a translucent plastic tank, usually marked with hot/cold lines)
- Check that the coolant level is between the minimum and maximum marks
- Look at the coolant color—it should be bright (green, orange, or pink depending on type)
When to do it: Monthly, always when the engine is cold.
What you’re looking for: Coolant level between the marks. If it’s consistently low, you might have a leak. If the coolant looks brown, rusty, or has debris floating in it, it needs to be changed. Never add water alone—use the proper coolant mixture recommended for your vehicle.
10. Listen to Your Vehicle
Why it matters: You drive your car every day, so you’re the best person to notice when something sounds different. Many problems announce themselves with unusual noises before they become serious.
How to do it:
- Pay attention to any new or unusual sounds while driving
- Notice when the sound occurs (braking, turning, accelerating, idling)
- Try to identify where the sound is coming from
- Mental note: what does it sound like? (squealing, grinding, clicking, knocking)
When to do it: Every time you drive.
What you’re looking for:
- Squealing when braking: Likely brake pad wear indicators
- Grinding when turning: Could be wheel bearings or CV joints
- Knocking from engine: Various potential engine issues
- Clicking while turning: Possible CV joint problems
- Any new, persistent sound warrants investigation
Making These Checks a Habit
The key to these checks is consistency. Here’s a simple schedule to follow:
Weekly: Quick glance for leaks, lights check before evening driving
Monthly: Tire pressure and tread, oil level, fluids, battery terminals
Seasonally: Wiper blades, belts, comprehensive visual inspection
Always: Listen while driving
Set a reminder on your phone for the first weekend of each month, or tie your checks to something you already do regularly—like the day you pay bills or clean your house.
What to Do When You Find Something
If any of these checks reveal a problem, don’t panic. You’re catching it early, which is exactly the point.
For minor issues like low tire pressure or washer fluid, you can address them immediately. For anything else—low oil, leaks, worn parts, unusual sounds—schedule a service appointment. Bring notes about what you found so your mechanic can diagnose the issue efficiently.
Remember, finding a problem during a monthly check is much better than discovering it when your car breaks down on the Henday during rush hour.
You Don’t Have to Do Everything
Maybe checking your oil feels manageable, but you’re not comfortable looking at belts. That’s okay. Even doing a few of these checks puts you ahead of most drivers and helps you catch problems early.
The goal isn’t to become a mechanic—it’s to be an informed vehicle owner who can spot when something needs professional attention.
Want to Track Your Vehicle’s Health?
Doing these checks is a great start, but keeping track of what you find and when is even better. That’s where having a comprehensive maintenance guide comes in handy.
Download our free Ultimate Vehicle Maintenance Guide and you’ll get:
- A monthly check reminder checklist you can print or save
- Easy-to-understand explanations of what everything does
- A maintenance log to track your checks and services
- Seasonal preparation checklists for Edmonton’s climate
- Warning signs that mean “call your mechanic now”
It’s designed specifically for busy Edmonton families who want to keep their vehicles reliable without becoming car experts.
The Bottom Line
These ten simple checks take less than 15 minutes once a month and can save you from expensive repairs and unexpected breakdowns. You don’t need special skills or tools—just a little time and attention.
Your vehicle is one of your family’s biggest investments. Taking a few minutes to check on it regularly means it will keep taking care of you and your family for years to come.
At The Automobile Repair Shop, we love working with customers who pay attention to their vehicles. When you bring your car in, let us know what you’ve noticed during your checks—it helps us diagnose problems faster and keeps your costs down. We’re always happy to show you where things are under your hood and answer questions about what you’re seeing.
Ready to become a more confident vehicle owner? Download our Ultimate Vehicle Maintenance Guide and start your monthly check routine this weekend. Your future self (and your wallet) will thank you.
Have questions about anything you find during your checks? Give us a call or stop by. We’re here to help you understand your vehicle and keep it running safely.
