The oil is always yellow. The dipstick for the oil can be long or small with a varying position.To top it up wait until the car is off, cooled and stationary for a few minutes. This is normally done during servicing but if the car is old or does alot of milage then it can be done yourself.
Pull it out and wipe the dipstick with a cloth, put it fully back in, and remove again. Check the level of oil on the stick after this. It should be between the crosshatches/notches on the dipstick itself.
If the oil is above the notches - too full, below notches - not enough.
This is known as the Engine coolant resevoir or overflow. Water is ok for a quick fix, but needs coolant or anti-freeze added - just having water can cause oxygenisation in the radiator which can make it rust and can bust the pipes. To work properly it needs either coolant or anti-freeze to mix in with it.
Coolant increases the boiling point in summer to stop water in radiator boiling too quickly. Antifreeze reduces the temperature the water will freeze at in winter so the car will run in minus degrees celcius conditions.
To check it - check the max/min level on side of the resevoir. Coolant or anti-freeze can be purchased at any motor factors, some petrol stations and garages. Read label on bottles for correct ratio between coolant and water before pouring into the resevoir between the correct level lines.
If you are stuck you can use water to fill it. Distilled water is prefered since tap water has particles that clog spray nozzles and pumps. u
Use glass cleaner or washing up liquid as a mixer - You should not make it sud up or they could clog nozzles or pumps. Ready made windscreen washer fluids can be purchased from any motor factors, some petrol stations and garages - simply pour fluid in.
If brake fluid needs topping up, its recommended to go to a garage. You only need to check it yourself. Simply unscrew the lid and check to see if you see any liquid in it if there is no max/min line provided to check on the side.
If it is low - go to a garage and they will refill it for you.
If the power-steering fluid needs topping up, it is recommended to go to a garage. Simply unscrew the lid and check to see if you see any liquid if there is no max/min line provided. If it is low - go to a garage and they will refill it for you.
The battery allows all the electronics in the car to function. If the battery is dead you need to jump start the car or change the battery.
To jump start a car you need crocodile snaps (a.k.a. jump leads). Put the negative charge side of the jump leads onto the dead car first then put the negative onto the good car.
Once you have this done add the positive charge jump leads usng the same methodology as above. This is done like this for several reasons - if the plus is on first and you go to put the negative on and it slips and hits a piece of metal there will be a big spark which is very dangerous.
