Check Oil, Water Before Driving, Vehicle Maintenance Specialist Percy Awuku Advises

Vehicle maintenance specialist Percy Awuku has urged motorists to carry out basic checks on their vehicles before setting off, particularly checking engine oil and coolant levels.

Mr Awuku, whose work experience as a mechanic spans over four decades, said motorists do not need extensive mechanical knowledge to perform some basic checks that could help identify potential problems.

Speaking on the Big Convo segment of the Culture Daily morning show on 3Music TV and Pluzz 89.9 FM, he advised drivers to open the bonnet and check the oil and water before driving.

“Basically, you open your bonnet and check water, oil. Those are the areas first you should look at,” he said.

He said motorists should also pay attention to warning signs while driving, particularly signs that indicate overheating.

“Once you get overheating, it becomes a very big problem,” he said.

Mr Awuku also advised people buying vehicles, particularly those without much knowledge about cars, to have the vehicle inspected by a trusted mechanic before completing the purchase.

He said a proper inspection could reveal whether a vehicle had previously been involved in an accident or had faulty components.

He explained that mechanics could also use diagnostic machines to identify faults recorded by a vehicle’s electronic systems.

However, he stressed that diagnostic equipment identifies faults but does not itself fix them.

The mechanic said prospective buyers should therefore seek professional advice before investing in a vehicle, rather than relying only on the appearance of the car.

“I think you should read a little bit more about the car you are investing your money into,” he said.

According to him, understanding a vehicle’s requirements is particularly important because modern cars use increasingly advanced technology.

He also cautioned motorists against using the wrong engine oil for their vehicles.

“You can’t use a diesel oil for a petrol engine. It’s not done. You may end up damaging the engine,” he said.

Mr Awuku, who runs New Vision Auto Service behind Papaye in Osu, said motorists should develop a routine of checking their vehicles and should not wait until a major fault develops before seeking professional attention.

His advice comes as 3Media Network undertakes a road safety campaign aimed at promoting safer practices among road users.