If you can do the following things these will keep your car roadworthy and may save you on expensive car repairs long term.
Many people do not realise a cars manual will have important information and maintenance information. It is so useful because the information will be specific to that model and will explain when things need doing.
- Checking your car’s tyres
Check your tyre pressures and increase them if necessary. Having a pump or inflator at home is a easier than going to your local startion to do this.
Overly low or high tyre pressures can change how your car drives and how your tyres wear out, this can lead to shortening their lifespan.
Always make sure your tyres must be the right type and size for your model, with at least the minimum legal tread depth of 1.6mm - Checking your car’s engine oil
This is a simple check. Make sure the engine has colled and you are parked on a level area.
Ensure your oil level is between the minimum and maximum mark on your car’s dipstick. If your car is low on oil, you could be risking breaking down or causing damage to your car’s engine.
If your car has too much oil this can cause damage, too, so keep checking as your pour the oil in. - Checking your car’s battery
Ideally you should change your car’s battery every three years if possible. Belive it ot or not a flat our faulty car battery is one of the major causes of car breakdowns.
So keep a look out for the car’s battery starting to fail, a common sigh is the engine turning over more slowly than usual when you start it.
The other major sign that the battery may be struggking is if the red battery light in the instrument display flicker’s when you’re driving or take longer than usual to go out after you’ve started the engine.
A simple check is to check your car’s battery connections, if they are loose tighten them up or even clean them up because this can cause the same problem. - Checking your windscreen wash
It is actually illegal to not have fluid in a vehicle’s screen washer bottle, so it’s always a good idea to keep checking it. - Checking if your car servicing is due
A service is typically recommended every 12,000 miles or every 12 months, whichever comes sooner. Every car is different, so check your car’s manual and your mileage to avoid leaving it until it’s too late.
Car servicing can vary from standard to full services so check your service record so you are aware what service is needed and when. A car’s service is essential to keep your car running correctly.
With a new cars its essential servicing follows in accordance with manufacturer’s requirement otherwise their warranty on the car may be void. - Top up your cooling system liquid
The car’s coolant is a mixture of antifreeze and water.Although people often think its only required in Winter your car actually needs it all year round to keep the engine at the right temperature.
By checking your car’s manual you can stay on top of your car’s coolant needs. - Checking your horn
It is obvious thats its very important to ensure your car’s horn is functioning and clearly audible, in case you
need to warn other drivers or pedestrians of any potential dangers. - Take a look at your exhaust
Start the engine in a well-ventilated space to check for leaks and listen for any unusual noises or smoke.Look closely at the exhaust to see if there are any signs of rust.
Rust can change into holes in the exhaust which can cause many problems. - Testing your brakes
Test the handbrake and footbrake to ensure they work properly. It’s a good idea to do this on your driveway or somewhere without traffic, so you can give your brakes a go safely. - Checking your car’s lights and indicators
Its best if you have someone else who stands outside the car while you test your lights and indicators and confirm if they all work properly and don’t foregt to check your fog lights. - Testing your car’s windscreen wipers to the test
Check they are in good condition, with no tears or holes. While you’re at it, scan your windscreen for chips and, if you find any, get them repaired as soon as possible. Chips can sometimes turn into cracks which
can require a replacement rather than repair. - Pay attention to your car’s dashboard messages and act upon them
Lots of people don’t know what the dashboard warning lights mean. You can find out what each light and lit sysmbol means by looking in your car’s manual.
Take time to get to know what they’re about and how you should react to each of them, so you’re not caught by surprise if one comes on while you’re driving. - Watch out for rust
Watch for the first signs of rust forming and deal promptly with any damage to bodywork to prevent it from setting in.
You might think a bit of rust is just a cosmetic problem, but it can actually cause significant damage if it reaches your car’s frame.
For your next car service book your car into Spa Motors Ltd, 9-11 Longfield Road, Sydenham Industrial Estate, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV31 1XB