Servicing & Maintaining your Car
If you look after your car properly, you’ll be far less likely to be hit by hefty repair bills in the future. Taking care of your vehicle by carrying out some regular checks and maintenance will ensure that it is less likely to let you down in the future.
Help prevent a breakdown with some simple maintenance.
Getting your car serviced each year and maintaining it between services is money well spent. Problems are likely to be caught early on when they’re cheaper to fix, and your car will have a better resale value and longer life. A well-maintained car is also more efficient, so you’ll save money on fuel as well.
Your car’s service manual is the key to keeping your vehicle in good repair. Written by the people who designed and built your car. To avoid spending money on your car unnecessarily, always follow the schedule in the service manual.
Taking care of your vehicle by carrying out the following regular checks and maintenance will ensure that it is less likely to let you down in the future.
Before A Long Journey
- Check tyre pressures and check for any signs of tyre damage.
- Check all fluid levels and top up as necessary.
Weekly Checks
- Check your vehicles tyre pressures, not forgetting the spare.
- Check for any blown bulbs. Don't forget indicators, brake and fog lights.
- Clean your windscreen, windows and wipe all the lights to keep them at maximum efficiency.
- Check and top up the windscreen washer bottle and include a screen wash additive - water alone won't clear oily road grime and freezes more readily in winter.
Monthly Checks
- Check tyre tread depths, look for signs of uneven wear and for cuts on sidewalls.
- Check the level of oil in the engine, and ensure it is between the maximum and minimum marks on the dipstick.
- Watch for the first signs of rust forming and deal promptly with any damage to bodywork to prevent rust setting in.
- Check for sufficient liquid in the cooling system. Top up as necessary, and include antifreeze in the mixture, in winter and summer it helps protect against overheating, as well as frost damage.
Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF)
- If you're planning on buying a car to be used mainly for short journeys or town driving, it may be wise to avoid buying a diesel model fitted with a DPF. The AA also has some useful advice on its website.
Maintenance Tips
- Don't know the first thing about cars? Anyone can learn the basics. Read your vehicle's handbook, its designed to be easily accessible to non-technical owners and will help you identify how to check you oil, top up your washer bottle etc.
- Under-inflated tyres create more rolling resistance and so use more fuel. Getting tyre pressures right is important for safety as well.
- Carry a spare bulb kit for your car. In fact if you're going to mainland Europe it's compulsory to carry an emergency bulb kit. Just put them in your car and make sure your owner's manual is handy so you know how to fit them.
- Get the car serviced regularly (according to the manufacturer's schedule) to maintain engine efficiency. Efficient engines consume less fuel.
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