In order not to break down unexpectedly on the highway or create a traffic jam in the city, make timely diagnostics of the car. Any malfunction is easier, faster, and cheaper to prevent than to eliminate. The simplest car diagnostics can be done with your own hands. In this article, we will tell you how to inspect your Ford, what to pay attention to and how often it should be done.
How to Conduct Diagnostics
Rule 1: Pre-Diagnostics
Every day, pay attention to the behavior of the car. If in motion there are extraneous noises, knocks, loss of steering, decreased dynamics, or increased fuel consumption – it is an occasion to check the condition of nodes and units of a car.
The dashboard is the primary diagnostic tool. On it, different pictograms give signals of systems malfunctions.
The presence, form, and combination of signal lamps differ depending on car brand and model, but there is one general rule – yellow lamps are of warning character, red ones signal about the critical malfunction. If a red light comes on while you’re driving, you should stop driving until the problem is corrected. Refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual to see what the pictograms on your vehicle’s dashboard mean.
Watch your fuel consumption. If the car consumes more gasoline than usual without changing the driving style, it is an indirect sign of malfunction.
The reason for high consumption may be:
- Errors or malfunction of the electronic engine control system. Check engine” lights up on the move in the form of a yellow engine outline
- Clogged, the melted catalytic converter.
- Significant wheel alignment malfunction (camber).
- Malfunction of the brake system (jammed caliper, cylinder).
- Wear wheel hub bearings.
A slight increase in consumption is acceptable: in winter, when driving with a full load, when mounting roof rack, but not more than 15%.
Rule 2: Keep Diagnostic Intervals to A Minimum
Determine for yourself the intervals at which you plan to perform a full vehicle diagnosis. To set the optimal interval, you can use the method of certified service stations – diagnostics combined with routine maintenance to reduce the labor intensity and time to perform the work.
Self-diagnostics can be combined with oil changes and other works, which are performed after a certain mileage. An interval of 10-15 thousand kilometers is considered by many to be optimal.
Periodic diagnostics even without visible malfunctions will help you better control the condition of the car, plan in advance to spend on repairs and not be afraid for readiness for long journeys.
Rule 3: Keep an Eye on The Level of Technical Fluids
What to check:
- oil level in the engine
- oil level in the gearbox crankcase (automatic transmission), rear axle gearbox for rear-drive cars, transfer case for all-wheel-drive cars
- the fluid level in the power booster tank
- antifreeze level in the expansion tank or radiator
- brake fluid level in the hydraulic reservoir.
How to check:
The oil level in the engine and automatic transmission is the easiest. Under the hood, you need to find 2 dipsticks – yellow for the engine crankcase and red for the automatic transmission. Each dipstick needs to be pulled out, wiped dry, put back in, and pulled out again. There are minimum and maximum marks on the dipsticks to determine the level. The level is normal if the oil trace is between these marks.
Checking the Oil Level in The Car
Oil level in the crankcase gearbox and, if available – in the rear axle gearbox, transfer case: on the crankcases of these units you need to find the control plugs. In some models they can be hidden behind protective covers, it is necessary to remove them. Test plugs should be unscrewed and make sure that the oil is at the bottom edge of the hole. check this with your finger or any object, for example – a screwdriver. Tolerable drop in the level 1-2 mm. below the lip. If you can not find the control plugs, look at their location in the manual car. You can also find out there what tool is needed to unscrew them.
Rule 4: How to Look for The Place of Technical Liquid Leakage
It is not always possible to immediately identify a leaky spot. When the car is moving, oil or other fluids are scattered by air currents and during the inspection, you may see only a big spot on the surface of parts and assemblies. To pinpoint the exact location of the leak, clean the contaminated area and parts, start the engine, and observe the suspected leak locations as you go. Look for leaks by droplets of fresh oil, antifreeze, or other fluids.
Rule 5: Inspect Tires
Start by checking your car’s tires by checking their pressure. Insufficient or excessive pressure leads to premature tire wear, suspension malfunction, poor handling, and excessive gasoline consumption. Inspect the tread – there should be even worn all over the tire. If the inner or outer edge of the tire has less tread depth, you need to check the camber and suspension components.
How to Diagnose Suspension
What to check:
- ball joints
- steering knuckles
- stabilizer rods and bushings
- bushings
- shock absorbers
- shock absorber pads
How to check:
To check the ball joints, suspend the respective side of the car on a jack and place a stop under the lower suspension arm. Rock the wheel vertically with both hands – there must be no play, play, or knocking. To check the steering knuckle, swing the suspended wheel in a horizontal plane. Signs of failure are the same as with the ball – knock, play. Rubber dusters on the ball and steering tips must be intact, without rips or cracks.
Basic Rules of Self-Diagnostics
- Watch the behavior of the car every day, changes in operation may indicate a malfunction.
- Check all systems every 10-15 thousand km.
- Check the level of technical fluids.
- Falling levels indicate a leak or malfunction, find and fix it.
- Keep an eye on the tires, you can tell if there is a problem with the suspension.
- Check the suspension even if it doesn’t bother you while driving.
- Pay close attention to the brakes, it is important for safety.
- Check the operation of the lights and electrical circuits.
- Read errors in ECU, there is information about all electronics failures.
- Don’t forget about the body – corrosion is easier to prevent than to eliminate.
Bottom Line
It is important to understand that without professional equipment and qualification such checks can be considered superficial. To get a complete picture of the condition of the car, at least once a year pass in-depth diagnostics at the service station.