I found this great list from TOBASH . Thought it was worth reposting:
My recipe for new-to-me car safety
1) Change all fluids, filters, belts, etc... New stuff means less risk of failure and it means you know from day zero what ya' got.
2) Change the f'ing brake fluid too!!! It is also a consumable fluid. Use DOT 4, (NOT 3, NOT 5...USE DOT4)
3) Check all pads and shoes in the brakes. Drive and jam the brakes to make sure you stop evenly.
4) Make sure E-brake works.
5) Wash and then Rain-X the windscreen. Then fill windshield fluid with Rain-x washer fluid. Then test wipers and squirter to make sure they work.
6) Wash engine compartment and axles and everything with hot powerwash making sure not to kill rubber parts and wires. When dry, park on clean blank cardboard and leave overnight to look for leaks in the following.
7) Make sure differentials are not leaking.
8) Make sure nothing else is leaking.
9) Start car and let warm up and ensure nothing is leaking.
10) Make sure idiot lights WORK!!!! Then watch for problems with heat and oil pressure and battery.
11) Be a hero and buy a new battery champ. A good one with 800CCA. DON'T CHEAP OUT. Think Odyssey or Optima Yellow.
12) Plugs, wires, rotor, cap, and ANTI-SEIZE for the plugs on insertion into the head. (Anti-seize is life and life is anti-seize when used properly).
13) Loosen and retighten all wheel lugs properly to ensure you can get them off when you have a flat, because EVERYONE GETS A FLAT. Buy a 2-3 foot breaker bar and appropriate sized socket for the wheel bolts. Keep it in the car at all times. You will thank me some cold icy night.
14) Graphite into all locks.
15) Check for wire hacks in the harness and correct as they can and will lead to fires.
16) Make sure gas level sensor works so you don't get stranded.
17) Make at least 1 kill switch and set it up properly. You can hotwire these vehicles easily otherwise.
18) Consider cleaning out the radiator.
19) Change out all hoses and rubber bits. New means safe.
20) time to go to SEARS and get that free alternator test.
21) Did I hear someone say "get a grease gun and lube her up".
22) Jack up the cars front and 1 side at a time and jiggle the wheels to see if you have good tie rod ends and ball joints.
23) Don't forget to check tire pressure and tire quality.
24) Make sure brake lights work. Make sure headlights work. Make sure all other lights work.
25) Drink a beer, as at this point you have done a lot.
26) OPTIONAL... If you live in a cold climate, add a block heater.
27) If you have power steering, flush it with new fluid.
28) Change the old grungy crappy never been changed before diff fluid, transfer case fluid, and tranny fluid. I say this seperately as no one ever thinks of these fluids when they do a car or 4x4 fluid swap.
29) Make sure clutch is decent by getting it hot and seeing if it slips.
30) Make sure the spare is good and full of air.
31) Buy and keep crank-it-yourself or shake-it-yourself flashlights, fuses, flat repair kit, a proper tire jack, and a can of truck sized "fix-a-flat" in the car at all times.
Best,
T
My recipe for new-to-me car safety
1) Change all fluids, filters, belts, etc... New stuff means less risk of failure and it means you know from day zero what ya' got.
2) Change the f'ing brake fluid too!!! It is also a consumable fluid. Use DOT 4, (NOT 3, NOT 5...USE DOT4)
3) Check all pads and shoes in the brakes. Drive and jam the brakes to make sure you stop evenly.
4) Make sure E-brake works.
5) Wash and then Rain-X the windscreen. Then fill windshield fluid with Rain-x washer fluid. Then test wipers and squirter to make sure they work.
6) Wash engine compartment and axles and everything with hot powerwash making sure not to kill rubber parts and wires. When dry, park on clean blank cardboard and leave overnight to look for leaks in the following.
7) Make sure differentials are not leaking.
8) Make sure nothing else is leaking.
9) Start car and let warm up and ensure nothing is leaking.
10) Make sure idiot lights WORK!!!! Then watch for problems with heat and oil pressure and battery.
11) Be a hero and buy a new battery champ. A good one with 800CCA. DON'T CHEAP OUT. Think Odyssey or Optima Yellow.
12) Plugs, wires, rotor, cap, and ANTI-SEIZE for the plugs on insertion into the head. (Anti-seize is life and life is anti-seize when used properly).
13) Loosen and retighten all wheel lugs properly to ensure you can get them off when you have a flat, because EVERYONE GETS A FLAT. Buy a 2-3 foot breaker bar and appropriate sized socket for the wheel bolts. Keep it in the car at all times. You will thank me some cold icy night.
14) Graphite into all locks.
15) Check for wire hacks in the harness and correct as they can and will lead to fires.
16) Make sure gas level sensor works so you don't get stranded.
17) Make at least 1 kill switch and set it up properly. You can hotwire these vehicles easily otherwise.
18) Consider cleaning out the radiator.
19) Change out all hoses and rubber bits. New means safe.
20) time to go to SEARS and get that free alternator test.
21) Did I hear someone say "get a grease gun and lube her up".
22) Jack up the cars front and 1 side at a time and jiggle the wheels to see if you have good tie rod ends and ball joints.
23) Don't forget to check tire pressure and tire quality.
24) Make sure brake lights work. Make sure headlights work. Make sure all other lights work.
25) Drink a beer, as at this point you have done a lot.
26) OPTIONAL... If you live in a cold climate, add a block heater.
27) If you have power steering, flush it with new fluid.
28) Change the old grungy crappy never been changed before diff fluid, transfer case fluid, and tranny fluid. I say this seperately as no one ever thinks of these fluids when they do a car or 4x4 fluid swap.
29) Make sure clutch is decent by getting it hot and seeing if it slips.
30) Make sure the spare is good and full of air.
31) Buy and keep crank-it-yourself or shake-it-yourself flashlights, fuses, flat repair kit, a proper tire jack, and a can of truck sized "fix-a-flat" in the car at all times.
Best,
T
