Millions of people own and drive cars, but many of them go their entire lives knowing nothing about how to repair or notice minor details of their car. From time to time, they pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars to have their car repaired for small things. If they could take a little of their time and a lot less money, they could easily take care of some things themselves. Some of these issues include: charging system, oil changes, and fluid levels. Let's start with the easiest thing to manage: the charging system. This system is made up of two main parts: the alternator and the battery. The alternator initially sends alternating current, but automobiles need direct current, so the current must be converted by diodes and sent back and forth from the battery. Some symptoms of a charging system illness include a low battery, alternator noise, dim bulbs, and accessories that don't work. Everything except the alternator noise could be because your lights were left on, anything connected to the lighter, ground wires somewhere, anything automatic in the car like automatic windows, or even a crack in the battery. A simple checklist to go through to make sure you don't have a major problem would be to check the alternator belt for wear and make sure it doesn't slip or cry; the battery cables, checking if they are also loose, disconnected or grounded; also check the terminals for corrosion. It could also mean your battery is dead. In all these cases, you can choose to take your car to an Advance Auto Parts or Auto Zone center, as they will help you check, charge or change your battery for free. A battery or an alternator are two things...... middle of paper ......so much for changing the oil filter too. With the hood open, look into the engine; there should be a metal loop protruding from a metal cylinder, and that is your gauge. Remove the dipstick and with a rag or paper towel, wipe the end with the oil on it, put the dipstick all the way back in, then remove it and look at where the oil ends at the end of the dipstick. If the oil does not reach the inner marks indicated on the end of the stick, you should add one to one and a half quarts of oil, checking the level to be sure you have not overfilled it. If your oil is very dark, thick, or thick, it's time to change it, and it's best to do it when the engine is warm. Noticing small issues like these could save you a lot of money and trouble. These are simple problems and with a little knowledge they can be fixed quickly and easily..