4 Essential Car Care Tips
Caring for your car doesn’t require advanced skills or a garage full of tools. A few practical habits, conducted regularly, will help keep your vehicle performing to the best of its ability so it’s safe, efficient and pleasant to drive.
Stay on top of servicing
Don’t wait for the warning lights to come on! Stay ahead of any issues by doing your own vehicle maintenance and annual servicing at a professional garage. Stick to the manufacturer’s recommended service intervals as outlined in your handbook so you can identify and fix problems before they can cause real damage.
Remember that once a year (or every 10,000 miles) is the minimum recommendation for scheduling a service.
Regularly refill key fluids
Fuel-powered cars rely on more than just petrol or diesel to function properly. Engine oil, brake fluid, coolant and screen wash all play distinct roles in keeping your vehicle driveable and can run low without any obvious sign until it’s too late.
Thankfully it takes just minutes to check your fluid levels and top up any that are looking low. Wait until the engine is cool, then check the oil with the dipstick, using the minimum mark to check the level. The coolant reservoir is usually easy to spot, and again there are minimum and maximum lines to stay between. Brake fluid and screen wash are just as accessible and easy to refill.
Prioritise testing safety features
Working brakes, lights and wipers are essential for the safety of yourself and others when you’re on the road. Once a month you should do a quick inspection of your lights to ensure no bulbs have gone. A faulty bulb is one of the most common reasons for MOT failure in the UK.
You should also frequently test out your brakes on a quiet road: a small hill is the best place to try your handbrake. Keep an eye on your wipers and if they aren’t clearing your windscreen properly replace them immediately. Remember to review your tyres too, looking for punctures and signs of damage like cracks and bulges.
Maintain important paperwork
Just as with your housing documents, you should stay on top of your vehicle paperwork, and having these to hand will save you hassle when they’re needed. Prioritise the legal essentials like your MOT certificates and insurance policies. You must pass an annual MOT test, and having comprehensive car insurance cover isn’t just a legal requirement but essential protection for you and others.
You should also ensure your service history is thoroughly tracked in your vehicle logbook which you will have received when you purchased your car. This information is usually requested by the buyer if you sell your car directly as it proves whether you’ve looked after the car during your ownership.
