According to a technician at the Ninety Eight Auto Repair, Maintenance and Care Center (Cat Lai ward, Ho Chi Minh City), some items on the car can be checked by the car owner at home. However, the assessment of the condition needs to be based on actual signs instead of just based on the number of kilometers that have been operated.
Check the battery through boot capability
Batteries are parts that many car owners can monitor themselves, but to accurately assess, specialized equipment is still needed. The test machine can measure the voltage and responsiveness of the battery in different load conditions, thereby determining whether the battery is still working well or has weakened.
At a basic level, car owners can pay attention to the starting speed. If the car takes longer than usual to start the engine, electronic devices start slowly, or the screen operates intermittently, this may be a sign of weak power.
However, these signs are not enough to confirm that the battery is broken. In case the car frequently travels short distances, the battery may not be fully charged after each start. At that time, the car owner should check the charging system and the battery condition before deciding to replace it.
If the starting situation is difficult to last, especially appearing frequently in the morning, you should take the car to an maintenance facility for inspection with specialized equipment.
Air conditioner air filters need to be checked periodically
Air conditioner filters are also a relatively easy item to check. After a period of use, dust can accumulate on the filter surface, reducing the amount of air passing through and affecting air circulation in the cabin.
For cars that frequently move in dusty areas or use air conditioning continuously, the air filter can get dirty faster. Car owners can remove the filter according to the manufacturer's instructions for direct inspection. If the filter is too dirty, deformed or degraded, it should be replaced.
Do not just rely on a fixed kilometer marker to decide to replace all items. Operating conditions, usage environment and the actual condition of the vehicle also need to be considered.
According to technicians, maintenance based on actual condition helps car owners avoid premature replacement of parts that are still in good use, and promptly detect degraded details.
