{"id":9681,"date":"2025-09-01T16:27:51","date_gmt":"2025-09-01T15:27:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/?p=9681"},"modified":"2026-05-25T12:35:39","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T11:35:39","slug":"how-to-take-care-of-your-car","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/how-to-take-care-of-your-car\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Take Care of Your Car | 10 Car Maintenance Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A well-maintained car can last over 200,000 miles. But a neglected one may struggle to reach 100,000 miles. So if you&#8217;re asking yourself, &#8220;How to take care of your car?&#8221;, you&#8217;re on the right path.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because regular care not only extends your car\u2019s life but also helps avoid expensive repairs, pass the MOT, and retain your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.exchangemycar.co.uk\/free-car-valuation\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">car\u2019s value.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this guide, we share 10 practical tips to help you maintain your vehicle, whether it is petrol, diesel or electric.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"7pt7ej\" data-start=\"5351\" data-end=\"5374\">Key Takeaways: How to Take Care of Your Car?<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"5376\" data-end=\"5814\">\n<li data-section-id=\"12awn9m\" data-start=\"5376\" data-end=\"5455\">Regular maintenance helps extend your car\u2019s lifespan and reduce repair costs.<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1dmmts6\" data-start=\"5456\" data-end=\"5526\">Checking tyres, oil, and fluids can prevent common vehicle problems.<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"30z21v\" data-start=\"5527\" data-end=\"5607\">Cleaning your car inside and out helps protect its condition and resale value.<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"7qojol\" data-start=\"5608\" data-end=\"5678\">Routine servicing keeps your vehicle running safely and efficiently.<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"163l9ql\" data-start=\"5679\" data-end=\"5747\">Driving smoothly can reduce wear on brakes, tyres, and the engine.<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"khdanq\" data-start=\"5748\" data-end=\"5814\">Small maintenance checks can help avoid expensive repairs later.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Car Maintenance Checklist<\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Check tyre pressure weekly<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintaining tyre pressure is important, yet it&#8217;s one of the easiest ways to care for your car. And here is the important thing: you should know that underinflated or overinflated tyres can affect your car&#8217;s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/economical-driving-tips\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fuel efficiency<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and even make it hard to handle the car. This also compromises your safety.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can check your car tyre pressure on your own simply using pressure gauges. Just remove the valve cap and attach the gauge by pressing it firmly onto the valve stem until the hissing sound stops.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every car has its own recommended tyre pressure. There is a sticker on the inside of your driver\u2019s door where you can check how much pressure your tyres need. That said, the recommended pressure for a passenger car is generally between 32 and 35 PSI, but it can vary by make and model.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Inspect tyre tread<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/how-to-check-tyre-tread\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tyre tread<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> provides a grip on the road. It helps your car handle more smoothly. It\u2019s very important to check it regularly; otherwise, it will cause a road accident. In the UK, you must have at least 1.6 mm of tread.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You don\u2019t need complex equipment. In fact, you can check with a 20p coin. Insert a coin in the tread of grooves, and if you see the outer band, then it\u2019s time to replace the tyre. Also, look for any cracks, bulges, and uneven wear. These are signals of alignment issues or suspension problems that need a professional inspection.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Rotate tyres when needed<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tyre rotation is a common way to protect tyres from wear. Front tyres usually wear faster than rear ones, and it\u2019s due to steering, braking and cornering forces.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here, rotating means swapping tyres from front to back and sometimes diagonally so that they can wear more evenly. And many experts suggest rotating tyres every 6000 to 8000 miles or every six months.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This tyre rotation saves your money and also extends the tyres&#8217; lifespan.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Check engine oil regularly<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Engine oil is like a car\u2019s blood. It helps the engine to run smoothly, and without the right level, parts can grind, overheat and wear faster. It will then result in costly repairs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To check the engine oil, park your car on a level surface and wait for 10 minutes. Once the engine oil cools down, pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it, then check the oil level. It should be between the \u201cMin\u201d and \u201cMax\u201d lines on the dipstick.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now it\u2019s time to assess the condition of the oil. If it\u2019s amber or honey in colour, it means the oil is healthy. While darker oil means it\u2019s old and time to change.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Monitor coolant levels<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Engines run hot due to moving parts, and coolant helps keep them at the right temperature. It\u2019s very important to keep an eye on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/what-coolant-for-my-car\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">coolant<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> levels. The coolant tank is usually placed under the bonnet and is transparent.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before opening the cap, you have to park the car on a level surface for 10 minutes and let the engine cool down.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To check the coolant level, you have to make sure that the coolant level is between the \u201cMax\u201d and \u201cMin\u201d markings. If you think it is low, add the correct type of antifreeze as specified in your handbook.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6. Understand MOT requirements<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s important to understand the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/car-parts-checked-at-an-mot\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MOT requirements<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and start taking care of your car based on those requirements. It\u2019s an annual legal test on every car over three years old. Without an MOT, your car is not eligible to be driven on UK roads. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/check-mot\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MOT<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is for safety purposes, which covers essentials like brakes, tyres, lights, steering, suspension and emissions. It doesn\u2019t replace full service but highlights issues that could cause breakdowns and accidents if left untreated.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><div class=\"row saq-cta_div\">\n      <div class=\"col-xl-12\">\n        <div class=\"bg-yellow exchange-deal-content\" style=\"padding: 5rem 3rem;\">\n          <div class=\"title\">\n            <h3 class=\"big mb-4\">\n              Sell Your Car without MOT Quickly\n            <\/h3>\n            <p class=\"h6 mb-0 fw-normal\">\n              Exchange My Car connects you with reliable buyers. So whether your car has failed, expired, or is missing an MOT, sell it through Exchange My Car. Compare offers and sell hassle-free today.\n            <\/p>\n\t\t\t\n          <\/div>\n         \t <form class=\"row g-4 g-sm-5 gy-5 get-quote-form\" style=\"margin-top:20px;\" action=\"https:\/\/www.exchangemycar.co.uk\/my-details\" method=\"post\" id=\"reg_form\" name=\"reg_form\">\n    <div class=\"col-6\">\n      <div class=\"position-relative\">\n        <div class=\"gb-icon-wrap small\">\n          <img src=\"https:\/\/www.exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/ssaq\/assets\/images\/icons\/gb.svg\" alt=\"GB\">\n        <\/div>\n        <input type=\"text\" name=\"reg_num\" required=\"\" class=\"form-control gb-icon saq-reg_field_color saq-milage-field\" placeholder=\"ENTER REG \" title=\"Please enter registration number\" maxlength=\"7\" value=\"\">\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"col-6\">\n          <input type=\"number\" class=\"form-control js-milage_commo saq-milage-field  saq-mileage_field_color\" name=\"mileage\" placeholder=\"MILEAGE\">\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"col-12\">\n      <button type=\"submit\" name=\"homesearch\" class=\"btn btn-big  saq-button-field btn-blue w-100\">SELL MY CAR<\/button>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/form>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7. Wash your car regularly<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Washing your car isn\u2019t just about looks. Dirt, bird droppings and road salt slowly damage paintwork. Left untreated, they lead to rust and expensive body repairs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First, rinse the car to clear loose dirt. Then use a proper car shampoo with a soft sponge or mitt. Many experts recommend not using washing-up liquid because it strips away protective layers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once rinsed, dry the car with a microfibre cloth. Don\u2019t forget the hidden areas like wheel arches, door sills and boot edges. These may trap salt and moisture that quietly eat into the metal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For added protection, apply a coat of wax every few months. It gives the paint a shield and makes cleaning easier next time.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8. Replace spark plugs<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img src=\"https:\/\/www.exchangemycar.co.uk\/assets\/empty.png\" data-original=\"https:\/\/www.exchangemycar.co.uk\/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fexchangemycar.co.uk%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F08%2Fholding-spark-plugs-how-to-take-care-of-your-car.jpg&w=777&h=485\" class=\"img-fluid img-inherit img-cover lazy\" alt=\"a person holding a spark plug - how to take care of your car\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spark plugs are small but essential components of the engine. They play an important role in starting and running your car smoothly. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/bad-spark-plug-symptoms\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bad spark plugs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> affect engine performance and fuel economy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spark plug replacement intervals mostly vary depending on the material used. Copper plugs may need replacing after every 20,000 miles, while iridium or platinum plugs can last 60,000 miles or even longer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also, you need to replace spark plugs when your engine is misfiring, idling roughly, losing power and consuming more fuel than usual.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9. Check brake pads and discs<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brakes are the most important safety feature of your car. They gradually wear down with time, so you need to check them regularly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You need to replace them if the pads get too thin (less than 3 mm) or if the disc doesn\u2019t look smooth. With time, it gets deeply scored or cracked.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another warning sign is that you will observe squealing and grinding noises, and also, the car will require a longer stopping distance.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10. Pay attention to warning lights<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pay close attention to those warning lights on your dashboard. They are not for decoration. In fact, they are the car\u2019s way of speaking to you. Ignoring them can lead to a major breakdown.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each light signifies the severity of warnings. Red lights indicate a serious and dangerous issue which requires immediate action, like engine oil pressure, engine temperature and braking system warnings. However, an amber light is less serious but still needs attention, such as less fuel or tyre pressure.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Still, if you are unsure about warning lights on the dashboard, use your car handbook, which explains everything, or you can also look them up online.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Special Tips for Electric and Hybrid Cars<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Electric and hybrid cars also need regular care, although they have different maintenance requirements compared to traditional petrol and diesel cars. However, they have fewer moving parts, so they often need less routine maintenance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most important part of EVs and hybrid cars is the battery, which needs extra care. For lithium-ion batteries, it is healthier not to fully charge to 100% and not to let them drop to 20%. It\u2019s also important to avoid using public rapid chargers; instead, use a proper home charger. Otherwise, constant use can reduce long-term battery performance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/how-does-a-hybrid-car-work\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hybrid cars<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it\u2019s important to inspect regenerative brakes and discs regularly. Because pads and discs are often used less, they can easily rust and seize.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lastly, always update the software of your electric and hybrid car, which will improve safety, efficiency and range.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Final Thoughts: How to Take Care of Your Car<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s important to maintain your car. Otherwise, neglect will cause a major breakdown. And you may also lose its resale value. These are simple checks which you can do by yourself, like tyres, oil, and coolant. Regular car maintenance also keeps your car up to MOT standards, roadworthy, and safe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While electric cars don&#8217;t require oil checks, they do run longer when you take extra care of the battery.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For more information on car maintenance, explore our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">blogs section<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><div class=\"row saq-cta_div\">\n      <div class=\"col-xl-12\">\n        <div class=\"bg-yellow exchange-deal-content\" style=\"padding: 5rem 3rem;\">\n          <div class=\"title\">\n            <h3 class=\"big mb-4\">\n              Sell Your Damaged Car\n            <\/h3>\n            <p class=\"h6 mb-0 fw-normal\">\n              If your car\u2019s already damaged and maintenance costs are outweighing its worth, Exchange My Car makes it easy to move on. Get instant offers, free collection, and a quick, stress-free sale.\n            <\/p>\n\t\t\t\n          <\/div>\n         \t <form class=\"row g-4 g-sm-5 gy-5 get-quote-form\" style=\"margin-top:20px;\" action=\"https:\/\/www.exchangemycar.co.uk\/my-details\" method=\"post\" id=\"reg_form\" name=\"reg_form\">\n    <div class=\"col-6\">\n      <div class=\"position-relative\">\n        <div class=\"gb-icon-wrap small\">\n          <img src=\"https:\/\/www.exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/ssaq\/assets\/images\/icons\/gb.svg\" alt=\"GB\">\n        <\/div>\n        <input type=\"text\" name=\"reg_num\" required=\"\" class=\"form-control gb-icon saq-reg_field_color saq-milage-field\" placeholder=\"ENTER REG \" title=\"Please enter registration number\" maxlength=\"7\" value=\"\">\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"col-6\">\n          <input type=\"number\" class=\"form-control js-milage_commo saq-milage-field  saq-mileage_field_color\" name=\"mileage\" placeholder=\"MILEAGE\">\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"col-12\">\n      <button type=\"submit\" name=\"homesearch\" class=\"btn btn-big  saq-button-field btn-blue w-100\">SELL MY DAMAGED CAR<\/button>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/form>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A well-maintained car can last over 200,000 miles. But a neglected one may struggle to reach 100,000 miles. So if you&#8217;re asking yourself, &#8220;How to take care of your car?&#8221;, you&#8217;re on the right path.\u00a0 Because regular care not only extends your car\u2019s life but also helps avoid expensive repairs, pass the MOT, and retain [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":9683,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[1],"tags":[444,445,769,332,857,1016],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9681"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9681"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9681\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12020,"href":"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9681\/revisions\/12020"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9683"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9681"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9681"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9681"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}