Whether a car has just rolled off the production line or it’s a pride and joy that’s been on the road for some time, we all have a responsibility to keep our vehicles in good nick. Not only does car maintenance benefit our pockets in the long run, but it also makes our roads a much safer place to be.
Follow your car’s service schedule
Keeping to your car manufacturer’s service schedule is as good a place as any to start. Service schedules are set by the manufacturer as a result of testing and expertise that’s specific to your model of car. It helps to make sure that your car is inspected and maintained at recommended intervals. Servicing also allows you to identify and address issues before they escalate into more significant (and expensive to fix) problems.
The performance, safety and durability of your vehicle depends on regular servicing, which includes tasks like oil changes, fluid checks, filter replacements and an overall inspection of your car’s inner workings. These maintenance tasks help to make sure your car runs smoothly, extending its lifespan and upholding its value. What’s more, if your vehicle is under warranty, servicing helps to maintain the validity of the warranty and enables your vehicle to comply with any maintenance conditions.
Service intervals are set to time or miles driven, e.g. once a year or every 10,000 miles. Check your car’s handbook to find out when your service is due, and what work is needed. Many vehicles also display warning lights on the dashboard when a service is needed, or maintenance required.
Clean your windscreen
A dirty windshield is a safety hazard as it obscures your view of the road ahead – so keep your screen wash topped up and make sure to clean your windshield regularly with soap and water. Relying on your washer fluid and wipers alone may only create more mess, blocking your line of sight even more. Plus, a grimy windscreen that’s full of debris is likely to catch and damage your wiper blades which, in turn, will need to be replaced more often.
Replace windscreen wipers
Making sure your windscreen wipers are in good condition is vital to making sure your windshield can be cleaned and cleared effectively. Check them regularly for any perforations or signs of wear, and wipe them down with a clean cloth. Never pull your wiper away from a frozen windscreen, as you could cause the rubber to tear. It’s also wise to keep your washer fluid (screen wash) topped up, particularly in winter when rain and salty roads are common.
Check your tyres & tyre pressure
As the only point of contact between your car and the road, low tyre treads put you at risk of losing control of your vehicle - especially in difficult weather conditions. Luckily, checking your tread depths is simple, all you need is a tread depth gauge, or a humble 20p.
What’s the 20p test on a tyre?
Place a 20p into your tyre’s tread and, if the outer band of the coin is hidden when inserted, your tread depth is above the legal limit of 1.6mm. If you can see the outer band of the coin across the central three-quarters of the tread, your tyres may be unsafe (possibly illegal) and should be checked in the first instance by a tyre technician.
Your tyre pressures must also be checked regularly, and tyres should always be properly inflated. Not only does this improve your car’s MPG, traction and handling, it also helps preserve your tyres and reduce the risk of punctures. Tyre gauges are inexpensive and easy to use. Simply check the recommended tyre pressures for your car in the owner’s manual, or refer to the chart on the inside of the driver’s door, and inflate as directed.
Check your car’s tyres for damage, wear, or deflation whenever you’re planning to drive.
Rotate your tyres
Tread wear patterns on your front and rear tyres will vary depending on things like vehicle alignment, usage, and more. Tread can even differ from one side of a tyre to the other. Rotating your tyres helps to extend their lifespan by balancing tread wear more evenly. Rotating tyres into different positions also helps improve handling (particularly for cornering and braking) whilst preventing noise and vibration issues.
Check your brakes
Crucial to the safety of your car, make sure that your brakes are checked and tested regularly. You must also replace brake pads and/or discs as and when necessary. If your car makes any strange noises, vibrates, or pulls to the side when braking, take it to a mechanic immediately. The same applies if you notice an increase in your stopping distance, as it’s a strong indicator of worn or faulty brakes.
Braking systems are particularly complex, and will need in-depth checks at services and MOTs. Brake pads, discs or callipers are usually the prime suspects when issues arise. Dashboard warning lights will also alert you if a problem surfaces with your brakes.
Keep your car clean
Washing and waxing your car frequently doesn’t just make it look good – it also improves visibility for the driver whilst protecting your car from the effects of rust and corrosion. Not only that, keeping your car’s bodywork clean helps prevent expensive repairs by removing debris and dirt which can damage paintwork.
Cleaning the inside of your car may feel like a chore, but it helps to stem the build-up of everyday dirt and grime.
Check and change your fluids
A car’s engine and systems need various fluids to keep them ticking over. Checking and topping up fluids regularly is all part of looking after a vehicle; this 10-minute task will help to make sure your car is running as smoothly as can be. Your car may also flash up a warning light if fluids are getting low. Check your owner’s manual for specific levels and then lift your bonnet when you’re ready to top up things like engine oil, coolant, and wiper fluid. Whilst you’ve got your bonnet up, make sure to check for signs of leaks and take the car to a service centre for repair if you find any. Also, if your fluids are the wrong colour, thicker than expected, or they smell strange, they’ll need changing out.
Change air and oil filters
Air & oil filter changes are essential for preserving engine performance, fuel efficiency, and the lifespan of your engine. Installing clean air filters regulates airflow, preventing contaminants from entering the engine and helping to avoid damage. Oil filters keep the oil clean and trap harmful particles. Clean air filters also improve the air quality inside the cabin whilst protecting the engine from premature wear. Check your owner’s manual for instructions on how to change your filters.
Check and change your spark plugs
Spark plugs and leads wear down over time. Check them every six months for cracks, rust or undue colour changes. If you’re comfortable following the instructions in your manual, you can change spark plugs yourself. If not, take your car to the garage for replacements. If new plugs seem to wear quickly, it could indicate a wider issue with your engine.
Check your lights
Your car’s lights are another essential element of car care, as they must be in working order at all times. Aside from legal requirements, there are safety considerations to keep in mind.
You can usually tell if your headlights aren’t working correctly quite easily, so make sure to act quickly if you see a blown or dimmed light on one or both sides. It can be harder to notice if your car’s other lights have failed, but the solution is simple – make a habit of checking that all your car’s lights, including indicator, fog, and reversing lights, are working on a regular basis.
If any of your lights are not working, you can either source and replace them yourself or take the car to a service centre to have them changed.
Take care of your battery
If your car is stationary for long periods of time, the battery will go flat. Keep the battery topped up using a trickle charger if you know your car will be staying still for a while. Noticed your car’s battery isn’t holding its charge as well? A battery conditioner can help to restore performance.
Jump-starting a car once the battery has gone flat can put excess strain on its battery and has the potential to damage electronics as well as the engine management system. To avoid a flat battery, aim to drive your car at least once a week – especially in winter.