Owning a car means looking after an expensive and complex piece of machinery. The condition of the vehicle could make a difference of thousands of pounds when you come to sell it, and add (or subtract) years from its eventual lifespan.
Caring for a car means treating it to professional attention every so often, especially if you’re putting in a lot of miles. But it’s also a good idea to treat your vehicle to some basic maintenance, as the driver. Let’s take a look at what this should involve, in practice.
Basic car maintenance checklist
When you buy a car, you’ll also buy a manual. This is a document worth reading. It will present all of the features of the car, some of which will help you to use and maintain it better. If your car didn’t come with a manual, then you can always find it online. Take a look.
Tyre pressure
Among the more important pieces of instruction you’ll find in the manual is how to inflate your tyres. The pressure inside your tyres will make a big difference to their efficiency and stopping power. Keeping your pressure at the right level will allow you to avoid collisions, reduce the strain on the engine, and lower your fuel costs.
Tyre condition
You should also think about how often you’ll be replacing your tyres. Legally, you’re obliged to swap old tyres for new ones whenever the tread depth falls below 1.6mm. In practice, you’ll experience a performance drop-off well before this happens. So, swap tyres proactively – it’ll be cheaper in the long term.
Insurance
Consider the cost of car insurance, too. Basic cover is a legal requirement, but it might be that you can find extra features and services just by shopping around. If you’re driving a specialised vehicle, like a motorcycle or a motorhome, you might look for an insurer that specialises in those kinds of vehicles.
Oil
You car relies on oil. This substance lubricates the engine, and distributes heat so that ‘hot spots’ don’t form. Change your oil regularly, and make sure that you’re using the right grade.
Coolant
Your coolant is there to make the radiator work. It will prevent overheating – but only if there’s enough of it in the reservoir. You can regularly check the coolant levels yourself, even if a flush and replacement is better left for a proper service.
Bulbs
If your headlights don’t work, you’ll be in trouble when it gets dark. It’s worth keeping spares inside the vehicle, and periodically checking all of your bulbs. This goes especially if you’re about to embark on a long journey.
Screenwash
If your car doesn’t have enough screenwash, or wiper fluid, then you’ll be unable to clear the windscreen. This could put your safety at risk, as well as leave you vulnerable to legal penalties like fines. Any cracks in the windscreen should be dealt with, too.
Engine
Most manufacturers will recommend a full service every 30,000 miles. The mechanic should check things like the filter, spark plugs, and brakes. If you’re travelling long distances for work, then you might want to get the car checked out before then. Pay attention to things like the handling and the braking. If something feels wrong, it’s probably a good idea to let your mechanic know about it.
