Car Maintenance Tips

29th Apr 2022

To ensure that your car continues to run smoothly for years to come, it’s important that you perform regular checks to ensure that everything is in good working order.

Pay Attention to Dashboard Warning Lights

When it comes to your car’s dashboard warning lights, any that remain illuminated while driving should be taken into consideration. Typically, you should be mindful of amber warning lights and have your car seen by a professional at the earliest convenience.

However, any illuminated red warning lights indicate that the vehicle should be pulled over when it’s safe to do so and inspected by a professional as soon as possible.

Replace Any Worn-Out Components

With regular driving, it’s understandable that certain components will need replacing in due time.

Check and Replace Worn Tyres

Your car’s tyres should be checked regularly to make sure that they meet the minimum depth requirement of 1.6mm. Although many tyre manufacturers recommend that you should change your tyres when you have 3mm of tread left.

You should consider changing your tyres if:

There are visible signs of damage
Your tyres are more than 5 years old
There are punctures that are too close to the sidewall which may be too unsafe to repair

Replacing the Air Filter

The air filter prevents dirt and exhaust from getting into the engine, ensuring that there is a constant flow of clean air that’ll prevent the car from overheating. If you’ve noticed that your car isn’t going the same distance on the same amount of fuel, then it could be a sign that the air filters need changing.

It’s recommended that you change your car’s air filters every 12,000-15,000 miles.

Other signs that your air filter needs changing are:

Smelling fuel when you start the car
Having to start your car multiple times
The check engine dashboard light is on
Dirty spark plugs
Strange engine sounds
Dirty air filter

Replacing the Brake Pads

Brake pads are fitted to the brake calliper and allow drivers to brake effectively when the brake is pushed. The weight of a car, passengers and cargo can lead to brake pads wearing out as well as driving in built-up areas where braking often is common due to traffic.

You’ll need to change the brake pads if you notice:

The brake pad wear warning light is illuminated on the dashboard
Loud screeching or a grinding noise whenever you brake
The vehicle pulls to one side when braking
That the brake pedal vibrates when you put your foot down

Check Fluid Levels

Engine Oil

When it comes to checking your engine oil, it’s good to check it before a long journey, every couple of weeks or every 1,000 miles.

It’s a simple process, all you need to do is lift the car bonnet and locate the dipstick. If the oil on the dipstick is brown/black and looks grainy then you should top up with new oil.

Make sure that you top up in small amounts, waiting for a minute or so between pours to ensure that the oil has settled in the engine. Stop filling up the engine once the oil level is between two markers on the dipstick.

If the engine oil is too low or too old, then the different engine components won’t be adequately lubricated leading to possible engine damage.

Coolant level

The coolant for your car’s engine is a mix of water and antifreeze which prevents the engine from overheating.

If your car has a cooling system then it most likely won’t need topping up unless there’s a leak. Be sure to check your engine coolant every couple of weeks to spot any issues.

Use your car’s handbook in order to find the expansion tank and check if the coolant level is between the min and max markers.

Check hoses as well, wet or white stained hoses could indicate a problem.

If the coolant does need topping up then only remove the filler cap when it’s cold and top up with the right antifreeze for your car.

You can also take your car to a garage if you notice that the coolant level has dropped.

Other Tips

Avoid keeping the car’s lights on after the engine has been turned off as this can lead to a flat battery
Test the lights for burnt-out bulbs
Replace windshield wipers if there are noticeable signs of wear
Have your car regularly serviced

Now that you know some essential everyday car maintenance tips, you can be sure that you’ll be able to prolong the life of your vehicle.