How to Look After Your Car

Driving a car that is impeccably clean is often considered a satisfying experience, but there are other practical benefits to washing your car regularly.

It is a legal requirement to maintain the cleanliness of your car’s number plates, lights, door mirrors, windows, and car suspension parts. The illegibility of dirty number plates, reduced effectiveness of dirty lights and mirrors, and obscured view due to dirty windows can pose potential hazards. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure their cleanliness.

It is crucial to maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the inside of your vehicle. The accumulation of dirt and grime near buttons and knobs can compromise their functionality, while litter can impede the pedals, gear sticks, and handbrakes. Be mindful that garbage trapped beneath the brake pedal can pose a significant hazard, potentially leading to accidents.

Make sure to maintain an adequate level of fluids

Vehicles require several fluids to function smoothly, such as engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. Evaluating the fluid levels by yourself is a straightforward task.

In the past, all vehicles contained a dipstick in the engine compartment that could be used to check the oil level. However, newer cars often rely on their onboard computer to monitor and display this information on the dashboard, eliminating the need for a dipstick. If you are unsure whether your car has a dipstick or relies on the computer, it would be beneficial to consult the owner’s manual.

If your vehicle is equipped with a dipstick, be sure to examine the oil level when the engine is not heated up. After removing the dipstick, clean it thoroughly before reinserting and removing it again to check the gauge at the lower end. If the oil level is anywhere near or below the minimum mark, make sure to add more oil. Your automobile manual can provide you with guidance on which type of oil to use. To avoid future complications, it’s crucial to utilize an oil type that is appropriate for your engine’s specific design.

In the engine bay, the levels of the coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid can be observed in their respective reservoirs. If they appear to be at or below the minimum level indicated on the reservoir, topping them up is necessary. Simply remove the cap and pour in the new fluid.

Performing preventative maintenance on your vehicle by changing the oil and filters is a crucial process that every car

Regularly changing your car’s oil is essential to maintain its engine and extend its lifespan. An oil change should be done every 3 months or every 3,000 miles to keep the engine clean, protect its parts, and enhance its performance. Overall, this basic maintenance will help ensure the longevity and efficiency of your car’s engine.

Routine maintenance on a vehicle often includes changing the oil and filter. If you’re looking to store your car or simply want it to perform optimally, it’s recommended that you make an appointment with a mechanic.

It is advisable to repair any chips or cracks on your vehicle’s windscreen promptly. Even minor imperfections can quickly escalate into more significant issues. It is worth noting that if the damage is too extensive or in a specific area of the windscreen, it could result in your automobile failing its MOT.

Inspect your tires to make sure they are in good condition

Maintaining the correct tyre pressure of your car is crucial as it not only affects fuel efficiency but also has an impact on the driving experience with possible hazardous results. To find the recommended pressure for the front and rear tyres, you can look inside the driver’s door where a panel displays the information.