Car Maintenance Checks

Vehicle bodywork

Make sure any damage to your car’s bodywork is dealt with promptly to ensure that rust does not have a chance to take hold.

If your vehicle is second-hand, make sure that you have an up-to-date record of any bodywork warranty schemes and subsequent inspections that your vehicle may have been enrolled on.

Wash and wax your car on a regular basis, removing any bird droppings quickly with water to avoid permanent damage to your paintwork.

If you use a pressure washer on your car, be sure not to use it while stood too close. Powerful pressure washers can damage your paintwork if you blast it from close range.

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Oil for engine

The lubrication that your vehicle requires to keep moving. Pumped into all parts of your engine, it keeps parts from wearing or jarring, but must be properly maintained to avoid pressure drops, high temperatures or a total loss of lubrication.

Make sure you check the dipstick at least every fortnight, and before any long journeys you may be undertaking. You can find the location of the dipstick in the vehicle manual if you’re unsure.

Allow your engine to cool down before taking a dipstick reading, this will also allow the oil to drain back down to the lowest point to give an accurate reading.

There should be two notches on the bottom of your dipstick, one to denote the minimum level towards the bottom, and one higher up to show a preferred maximum level.

Oil should be a clear, golden colour. The darker your engine oil, the more likely it is that it needs to be changed. Foamy or milky engine oil indicates it could be contaminated with other fluids and requires attention from a mechanic.

Have your vehicle’s engine oil and filter changed at recommended service intervals, ensuring the use of oil of the correct specification.

High oil consumption can suggest a deeper issue with your engine, so keep an eye out for this.

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Screenwash

A screenwash system in full working order is a legal requirement, whatever vehicle you may own. Like your vehicle’s water, make sure that the screenwash in your car is checked and topped up regularly.

During hot summer months and cold winter periods, top up the solution with a screenwash additive to help clear oily road grime in summer.

To prevent it freezing in the winter, add a screenwash with a low freezing point, ensuring you have washer fluid to clear away the dirt caked on by your heating.

Check your screen wash levels every 3,000 miles - you should be able to read the level on the outside of the bottle.

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Exhaust

The exhaust is an important part of keeping your car healthy, however, you should ensure that the engine is off before you carry out any checks or maintenance on your exhaust system. If you notice rust on your exhaust, you can try to gently brush it away, as long as it doesn’t leave any holes which would draw air into the system.

You can check that the exhaust is still adequately attached by inspecting the loops or straps which hold it in place, ensuring they have enough flexibility. If you suspect that it is connected in the wrong, have a mechanic take a look.

The joints and connections on your exhaust system are particularly vulnerable, which is why you should check for signs of gas leakage on a regular basis, tightening any connections where possible or booking the vehicle in for repairs.

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Tyres

Make sure you know the correct tyre pressures for your car, and remember to check them on a fortnightly basis using a gauge or garage air line, topping them up as required. When checking your tyres, also remember to check the spare!

Keep an eye on the condition of your tyres; particularly how worn their treads are getting and if they have any cuts or marks on their sidewalls.

Minimum recommended tread depth is 3mm, with 1.6mm the legal minimum. You can use the band of a 20p coin inserted in your tread; if it covers the band it is deep enough, if you can see the band, you tyres are too worn and require replacing.

One indicator of a damaged tyre is if it requires constant top-ups with air - this is a strong sign that there may be a puncture.

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Suspension

You suspension system is a series of springs placed on the rear axle, with independent springs placed close by your front wheels, helping absorb the shock of uneven ground.

You can test your suspension by using your weight to bounce the front and back while it is parked. The suspension should keep the car stable, but if it still rocks after you’ve released your weight, your suspension could need looking at by a professional.

Other signs that your suspension might be warn can include: uneven tyre tread, rough and bumpy rides or greasy shocks which show signs of leakage.

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Dipstick

The lubrication that your vehicle requires to keep moving. Pumped into all parts of your engine, it keeps parts from wearing or jarring, but must be properly maintained to avoid pressure drops, high temperatures or a total loss of lubrication.

Make sure you check the dipstick at least every fortnight, and before any long journeys you may be undertaking. You can find the location of the dipstick in the vehicle manual if you’re unsure.

Allow your engine to cool down before taking a dipstick reading, this will also allow the oil to drain back down to the lowest point to give an accurate reading.

There should be two notches on the bottom of your dipstick, one to denote the minimum level towards the bottom, and one higher up to show a preferred maximum level.

Oil should be a clear, golden colour. The darker your engine oil, the more likely it is that it needs to be changed. Foamy or milky engine oil indicates it could be contaminated with other fluids and requires attention from a mechanic.

Have your vehicle’s engine oil and filter changed at recommended service intervals, ensuring the use of oil of the correct specification.

High oil consumption can suggest a deeper issue with your engine, so keep an eye out for this.

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Pressure Washer

If you use a pressure washer on your car, be sure not to use it while stood too close. Powerful pressure washers can damage your paintwork if you blast it from close range.

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Lights

Check your entire vehicle’s lights - including indicators, brakes, reverse lights and fog lights - on a weekly basis to ensure they are working properly and aligned correctly.

If you think the lense of your lights might be cracked or that the bulbs have blown, be sure to replace them so that they function properly.

Keep your vehicle’s lights clean, using a damp cloth to wipe any dirt and grime clean off them.

You should aim to buff the cover on your headlights at least once a year, ensuring they are as clear as possible.

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Coolant

Water acts as the coolant for your engine, without this your engine will get so hot that it will seize up, welding itself together in places. You could see a coolant warning light on your dashboard if the levels get too low.

Ensure that your car’s coolant level is topped up at all times by checking it on a monthly basis. Remember, though, to only do this when the engine is cold.

There should be a minimum and maximum marking on the water tank for you to use when judging whether a top up is required.

Make sure to have your car’s antifreeze concentration checked before winter each year, as antifreeze not only prevents the buildup of corrosion in the cooling system, but also stops the coolant freezing, making it an important feature of your vehicle at all points throughout the year.

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