As robust as it may appear, we must remember how intricate and complex a car’s construction is. In order to keep your vehicle working to the best of its ability and to ensure its reliability and longevity, you’ll need to take proper care of it. There are a number of checks which you can carry out on a regular basis to improve your car’s performance and lifespan. Follow this simple guide, and learn how to make sure you have many years of happy, safe driving ahead of you:
- Get your car serviced regularly. Unlike an MOT, a service is often not compulsory, but it is always a good idea to have one done. This will ensure that everything is in good working order, and when it’s time for a new car, it’s much harder to sell a vehicle which doesn’t have a full service history. If you take it to a high quality garage for its service, you might even get it cleaned for you as well!
- Check your oil levels. This simple check will stop your engine overheating, preventing serious problems which can occur very quickly after oil levels drop too low. It’s very easy to do – just make sure that the car is parked on a flat surface, open the bonnet and check the dipstick, which will indicate if the oil level is sufficient.
- Ensure you turn off your lights, both inside and out. This will help to prevent the battery from going flat. If it did, you’d need to jump-start the car, which might involve calling a breakdown service provider if you can’t find anyone with a vehicle to help out.
- Be careful about the fuel which you fill your car up with. If you put petrol into a diesel car or vice versa, you’ll need to call out a professional to drain the tank. You won’t cause damage if the engine isn’t switched on, but if it is, the repair work could cost thousands of pounds.
- Look after your tyres. Check them regularly, and if they’re looking flat either pump them up yourself or take them to a garage to be inflated. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you have a flat tyre and are travelling at a high speed, such as on a motorway.
- Keep your washer fluid topped up. This is used to clean your windscreen, so it’s important if you have to wipe away dirt which could block your view whilst you’re driving.
- Stay up-to-date with your MOTs. It’s illegal to drive a car which is overdue for its MOT, or one which has failed its MOT. You’ll be told of any advisories as well as problems which need fixing immediately. If your vehicle fails, you’ll need to have it fixed and re-tested.
- Clean your car regularly. Having dirt on the car can cause damage to the paintwork, especially bird droppings, which can be particularly bad for your vehicle.