Buying a used car is often the more sustainable and financially sound choice, but it does have its inherent risks. Even purchasing from a dealership doesn’t guarantee quality, or safety. NBC News previously reported that some “certified” pre-owned vehicles which had passed auto retailer AutoNation’s “precise inspection process” had unresolved recalls.
Bottom line: you don’t truly know how well the vehicle was taken care of. However, there are certain precautions we can take to ensure our investment is a wise one.
A man who goes by “Jackson The Mekanic” recently posted a now-viral video explaining the “three musts” that you need to check before pulling the trigger on a car purchase. Great news—all these things are easy to check, even without mechanic supervision.
“First, you pull out the dipstick,” Jackson explains as he shows where to find it under the hood.
“It’s very important to wipe it with a rag first, then re-insert the dipstick back in.” After you pull it out again, you want to make sure the oil makes it to the “full” line. Also, make sure the car is off when you check.
@mekanic_jackson 3 simple checks
Coolant, also known as antifreeze, is a liquid that keeps a car’s engine from overheating by transferring heat and preventing it from freezing or boiling. In the comments Jackson says that this is an important thing to check because low levels can indicate a leak.
To check coolant levels, Jackson says “There’s two ways you can do this, you can check it directly from the radiator, or you can check it from the overflow tank.”
To check from the radiator, you’ll need to lift open the cap, but keep in mind that you’ll need to wait until after the engine has cooled down to do so.
If the car is low on coolant, Jackson recommends you simply add a little water.
3. Brake Fluid Level
Jackson might have saved the most important for last.
“What you’re looking [for] here is for color and for the level, so we can see this color looks nice and new, and is also topped up to the max,” he says while pointing to a full brake fluid tank.
For many of us, car upkeep can be overwhelming. But it’s a necessary skill, at least if you don’t rely on public transportation to get you everywhere you need to be. And certain aspects aren’t all that difficult to understand once we really pop open the hood and see what’s inside. And expert explanations like the ones Jackson offers certainly help.
If you’re looking for more of his advice—like how to replace a car battery, which cars to avoid to save money and diagnosing engine noises —follow Jackson on TikTok.