Whether you’re taking to the road in a brand-new vehicle or a reliable used car, the freedom and thrill of driving are matched by the responsibility to keep your car in optimal condition. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the essential elements of routine vehicle upkeep. These steps are beneficial for every driver, be it a seasoned veteran or a newbie, to extend the life of your vehicle, enhance your safety on the road, and promote financial savings over time.
Regular maintenance of your vehicle is crucial to its longevity, safety, and efficiency. Regularly checking your vehicle’s condition and addressing issues as they arise can potentially increase your car’s lifespan by thousands of miles.
Moreover, many key safety systems in your vehicle, such as braking and tires, require regular maintenance to ensure they operate effectively.
In terms of efficiency, regular maintenance can help your vehicle perform optimally, which could lead to savings in fuel costs over time. Thus, understanding and keeping up with vehicle maintenance is crucial for every car owner.
RELATED: Buying a Used Car? Get This Ultimate Checklist!
Vehicles rely on a range of fluids to operate correctly, and as such, regular checks and top-ups are necessary. These fluids include
Failure to maintain the correct fluid levels can lead to mechanical problems and costly repairs. Learning how to check these fluid levels yourself is a key part of basic car maintenance, and can also save you from unnecessary visits to the garage.
Tires are one of the most critical safety features of your vehicle. They are the only parts of your car that actually make contact with the road, so ensuring they are in good condition is crucial. Regularly checking your tire pressure is important as incorrect tire pressure can affect fuel efficiency, tire wear, and vehicle handling.
Additionally, checking the tread depth on your tires is key to ensuring they have sufficient grip on the road. Most tires have tread wear indicators, which can help you identify when it’s time to replace your tires. Regularly rotating your tires can also extend their lifespan.
Your car’s battery is essential for starting the engine and powering accessories when the engine isn’t running. A failing battery can cause a host of issues, including difficulty starting the car or unexpected breakdowns. By checking the battery condition regularly, you can identify potential problems before they become serious.
This includes checking for any visible signs of damage to the battery, ensuring the connections are clean and secure, and using a multimeter to check the battery voltage. Regular battery maintenance can help extend its life and ensure your vehicle is always ready to go when you are.
Engine oil plays a critical role in your vehicle’s operation. It lubricates the engine’s moving parts, preventing damage from friction, and helps keep the engine clean by reducing build-up of dirt and debris. Over time, engine oil degrades and can become less effective, which is why regular oil changes are necessary.
The frequency of oil changes can depend on various factors such as the type of vehicle, the age of the car, and the type of oil used. Generally, however, it’s recommended that the oil should be changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Neglecting oil changes can lead to poor engine performance or even severe engine damage.
The braking system is a crucial part of your vehicle’s safety features. It’s necessary for deceleration and stopping, hence, it’s essential to keep it in top condition. Regular brake checks can include looking for signs of wear on brake pads, checking brake fluid levels, and listening for noises like squeaking or grinding that might suggest issues.
Worn-out brake pads or low brake fluid levels can decrease the efficiency of your brakes, compromising safety. Moreover, regular brake checks can prevent more costly damage to other parts of the brake system, such as rotors and calipers.
RELATED: How Do I Check MOT Online?
Maintaining a clean exterior for your vehicle goes beyond just aesthetics. Dirt, dust, road salt, and bird droppings can all harm your car’s paint over time, leading to rust and other damage. Regular washing can help to protect the paint and undercarriage of your car from these potentially harmful substances.
Moreover, cleaning your vehicle’s exterior gives you a chance to inspect it for minor damage that could worsen over time, like chips or cracks in the windshield, dents, scratches, or areas of rust.
Your vehicle has several filters that play a critical role in its operation. These include the air filter, which prevents harmful debris from entering your engine; the oil filter, which removes impurities from the oil that could damage your engine; and the fuel filter, which prevents contaminants from clogging your engine’s fuel injectors. Neglecting these filters can lead to diminished performance, increased emissions, and even severe engine damage.
Regular checks and replacements of these filters are a simple but important part of vehicle maintenance.
Belts and hoses play various critical roles in your vehicle, from helping the engine distribute power to different systems to carrying fluids. Over time, these components can become worn out or damaged, potentially leading to engine overheating, loss of power steering, or brake failure.
Regular checks for signs of wear such as cracks, leaks, or loose connections can help to prevent these issues and ensure your vehicle continues to operate smoothly.
Regular professional servicing is an essential part of vehicle maintenance. While there are many tasks you can do yourself, a professional service will typically involve a thorough check of your vehicle’s systems, diagnosis of any issues, and necessary repairs or adjustments. This can include tasks that might be difficult or impossible to do at home, such as checking the suspension system, replacing spark plugs, or carrying out wheel alignment.
It’s worth noting that some car insurance companies, like ROLLiN’, offer discounts or benefits for regular professional servicing, making it a good practice not only for your car’s health but also for your wallet. Regular professional servicing can help to identify and address issues before they become serious and ensure your vehicle remains safe and reliable.
While car maintenance might seem like a complex and intimidating task, especially if you’re not mechanically inclined, these ten easy steps will set you on the right path. Regular checks, understanding the function and care of various car parts, and seeking professional services when needed can help prevent unexpected breakdowns and expensive future repairs.
It’s important to remember that taking care of your vehicle isn’t just about protecting your financial investment. It’s also about ensuring the safety and well-being of yourself and your passengers. Whether you’re new to the road or a long-time driver, establishing good car maintenance habits is an invaluable practice for every vehicle owner.
Exchange My Car will match your car with a high-paying buyer instantly. Sell your car easily, reliably, and quickly.
AWD vs. RWD vs. FWD vs. 4WD: the choice of transmission in your car can influence everything from fuel efficiency, driving experience, and handling to overall safety. It can be difficult to choose between these types of transmissions because most differences are so subtle that they are very hard to notice. In this guide, we’ll […]
With nearly 31% of British vehicles now equipped with dash cams, it’s clear these devices are becoming essential for many drivers. But how do dash cams work exactly? This comprehensive guide will delve into the world of dash cams, covering everything from their functionality to legal considerations and purchasing advice. Let’s get started! What […]
More than 70% of people in the UK still drive a manual car. Similarly, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) stats show that more people take their test in manual cars. So, if you’re new to manual transmissions or are usually used to driving an automatic car, don’t worry. Our guide offers a side-by-side comparison […]
The UK is experiencing a surge in electric vehicle adoption, with over 1.1 million electric cars on the road as of March 2024, according to DVSA. While manual transmissions have historically been favoured in the UK, the shift towards EVs has introduced a new norm: automatic transmissions, as all-electric cars come with auto gearboxes. If […]
People have some big misconceptions about Motability cars! One is that Motability cars have specific markings; the other is that all adapted cars are potentially leased through the Motability scheme. While these things might be true, they are not foolproof methods to suggest that a car is part of the Motability fleet. If you’re wondering […]
Suzuki has long boasted a stellar reputation for reliability, consistently topping reliability indices and surveys. But are Suzuki cars reliable enough? How often do Suzuki cars actually break down? And which Suzuki models are the most dependable? You’ve come to the right place if these questions have crossed your mind. This blog post will answer […]
Cars in the UK need to pay an annual Vehicle Exercise Duty (VED), more commonly known as road tax, in order to legally circulate on the public road. The value of the fee depends on the car’s age, fuel type, tailpipe CO2 emissions, and engine capacity, with older or more polluting models typically being more […]
With a growing car-sharing trend in the UK, it’s no surprise that many people find themselves behind the wheel of a vehicle they don’t own. But what if you need insurance to protect yourself while driving someone else’s car? Can you insure a car you don’t own? Don’t worry. You’re not alone with this question! […]
To drive a vehicle legally in the UK, you need a valid driving licence – no surprise there. However, you also need to remember to renew a driving licence every few years. There are a few valid reasons why your driving licence might have expired (you may have been away from the country for a […]
Can deaf people drive legally in the UK? The short answer is yes, they can. The long answer? Well, that’s coming ahead! Bear with us as we uncover 8 details about deaf driving in the UK. If you have partial hearing or a friend with hearing loss, you might want to read this until the […]
The clutch is an essential system on your car, and when it starts to fail, it can severely compromise drivability and eventually render the vehicle unable to move under its own power. If you drive a manual transmission car, then you already use your clutch every day without even thinking about it. So, if you […]
Replacing the cambelt in the right intervals is an essential step of responsible car maintenance. There can be a lot of work involved in this, which means it’s often one of the most expensive, too. When the time comes to get a quote for this service, you may wonder what a fair timing belt replacement […]
Growing environmental concerns resulted in the creation of low emissions zones in major cities across Europe, and London is no exception. Before you venture into England’s thriving capital, you should know if your vehicle is ULEZ compliant or not. This will allow you to plan alternatives, or budget accordingly. Today, we’ll explore what the ULEZ […]
Are you planning a big family vacation to Europe or another country? The process of hiring a car abroad has changed quite a bit for UK citizens after Brexit. UK travellers can benefit a lot from understanding the new car rental procedures overseas. That’s precisely what we’re going to do today. We’re about to share […]
Electric cars are getting more and more popular among car buyers in the UK. Whether you already own an EV or are planning to buy one, you might still be unsure as to how long does it take to charge an electric car. Don’t worry, we got your back. After reading this article, you’ll know […]
In the UK, any car that drives on public roads needs to pass an annual MOT test. The goal is to ensure it remains safe and compliant with regulations. So, knowing when you need to bring your car in for testing is essential to avoid hefty fines or penalties. If you recently bought a new […]
Nobody likes having car problems, and few things are more inconvenient than breaking down on the side of the road. Knowing what are the most reliable cars you can buy will help you make an informed decision and have a trouble-free experience. But how do you quantify reliability? Defects and failures are part of car […]
Keeping your car seats spotless is essential to conserve the appearance and resale value of your vehicle. Cleaning the seats can also improve your driving comfort by getting rid of stale odours, for example, to remove vape smell from the car. Are you looking for a practical, hands-on guide on how to clean car seats? […]
Insurance costs make up a significant part of car ownership expenses, especially for younger drivers. Choosing a car that is cheap to insure can lead to considerable savings in the long term. If you are a budget-conscious buyer and want to know what the best cheap cars to insure in the UK are, you have […]
Who isn’t worried that a thief may strike and deprive you of your pride and joy? No matter how much your car is worth, nobody wants the trouble of having their property stolen. Thankfully, there’s an easy solution to this, and that is to install a car tracker. These sophisticated devices aren’t just about theft […]