Basic Car Maintenance Advice
Keeping your car in good shape is important but, especially if it is your first vehicle, the idea of all that upkeep can be quite daunting. Not to worry. Take a look at the following essential points to make sure you have all the basics covered:
- Regular servicing. The first and best way to ensure that you are doing your bit is to practice regular car servicing as per the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Regular cleaning. Grit, salt, gravel and chips can all end up exposing metal and so bringing about rusting. Regular cleaning will help minimise this and maintain the car exterior’s condition.
- Take care of your windscreen. Likewise, leaving your windscreen with dirt and chips could allow for cracks to develop, and then you’ll have to replace the entire windscreen. For the same reason, take good care of your windscreen wipers and replace when necessary.
- Oil changes. Oil is crucial for the protection of your engine, which is constantly working so hard to keep you on the move. Since oil will deteriorate over time, it is important to change it when necessary. This will help keep your engine on top form and avoid any costly replacements.
- Oil flush. Every two or three years, an oil flush will help remove the build-up of pollutants and debris from the engine, helping to improve efficiency and fuel consumption.
- Tyre pressure and tracking. Maintaining the correct pressure and keeping your tyres aligned according to manufacturer specifications is the best way to maximise tyre lifespan, as well as optimise your MPG.
- Replace your cambelt. If you don’t regularly change the cambelt (every 70,000 miles is a solid average, but check the manufacturer’s recommendations), you could cause your engine irreparable damage.
- Conduct proper checks before a long journey. It’s simply good practice to take extra care before you undertake a long ride. So check your tyres, including the spare; check that the oil and water levels are correct; give your windscreen a wash and make sure that the wipers are removed of any dirt or grit; check that you have up-to-date breakdown cover; and make sure that you have all the required documentation, especially if you are abroad.
