Car Care Tips

Tyres

You should check your tyre pressures regularly and look for signs of damage to the tyre walls. Worn tyres can be very dangerous and significantly affect stopping distances. The laws on tyre wear are much tougher now, so it is a good idea to replace tyres when tread depth gets down to around 2mm.

Another thing to check is that your tyres are wearing evenly. If a tyre is wearing more on one side than the other, then you need to have your tracking looked at.

It may seem strange to make this point, but try to avoid hitting the kerb when driving. It can significantly weaken a tyre without showing much damage to the naked eye.

Finally, don’t forget about your spare wheel. Aside from the fact that you may need it should you get a puncture, it’s against the law to carry a spare wheel which isn’t roadworthy. At the time of writing, the penalty for EACH defective tyre on a vehicle in the UK is 3 penalty points on your licence. So it’s really not worth trying to cut back on your tyres.

Oil

It’s important that your engine has the correct amount of oil as too little or too much can cause significant damage. You should check the oil level when the engine is cold. If you check it after the engine has been turning over, the oil may show higher up on the dip stick and give a false reading.

Changing your oil regularly removes harmful dirt and contaminants which cause engine wear. Servicing your vehicle regularly will prolong the life of the main parts of the engine. To ensure that the oil stays in good condition, you should also change the oil filter.

Some say this is not as important on older, higher mileage vehicles, but an annual oil and filter change can help.

Radiator

Overheating can result in disastrous and very expensive damage, so it’s important to regularly check the coolant level when the engine is cold. Newer and more sophisticated multi-valve engines need a correct mix of water and antifreeze with inhibitor to keep the engine cool, not just water alone.

Air Filter

Air filters aren’t expensive, but when they become dirty they can seriously reduce your fuel economy, and could even result in you being fined for failing a roadside emissions test. Dirty air filters should be removed as soon as possible.

Brakes

It’s important to check your brake pads or shoes. These are made from a heat-resistant friction material, which deteriorates due to being clamped against the disc or pushed against the drum when the brakes are applied. You should also check for fluid leaks caused by either damaged brake pipes or worn seals which could result in your brakes failing. If your vehicle starts pulling to one side when you brake, this is a good indicator that your brakepads have worn unevenly and you should get them checked.

If you are uncertain about the condition of your vehicle, book a service for your vehicle.