Car maintenance is something that you need to keep on top of. Ensuring that certain vehicle elements are looked after can help prolong its life and avoid any nasty surprises further down the line. However, if your current vehicle is on its last legs, you might want to consider checking out our current range of cars to get behind the wheel of something a little newer.
That said, even new cars need some level of maintenance and in this article, we’re going to be considering the key areas to check over.
Cleaning
It may sound simple, but cleaning a car is a core part of maintenance. Particularly during winter, ensuring that you’ve cleaned off all of the dirt and grime that accumulates on a car’s exterior can help prevent surface rust and other degradation of components.
It’s always tempting to head to a hand car wash - and if you’re in a hurry, then it’s still a good option - but if you’re looking to save money and get a better understanding of your car, then it’s great to clean it yourself. Always use a dedicated cleaner and a soft microfibre mitt to prevent any paint damage. We’d always avoid using an automatic car wash, too, as the bristles can damage your car’s exterior and leave it with some nasty scratches.
Fluids
Fluids play a key role in a car’s proper working. You need to keep on top of aspects such as oil, coolant and brake fluid to ensure that everything is operating just as it should be. The good news is that checking and topping up these various fluids.
You can check your car’s brake fluid by using the dipstick - located under the bonnet and usually highlighted with a yellow handle - and its measurement markers that will tell you whether or not the levels need topping up. Simply remove the dipstick, clean it off with an old rag or some paper towel and return it to the engine. Then, remove it once more and you’ll be able to use the guide to see if you need to add more oil. Always use the correct oil for your car.
A car’s coolant is usually kept in a reservoir towards the back of the engine bay and you’ll be able to see whether it’s running low. Top it up with an appropriate coolant if required. Should you have any concerns or not feel comfortable performing these checks, always get in touch with a trained professional.
Windscreen and wipers
Here in the UK, we’re not blessed with the most pleasant of weather, which is why your windscreen and wipers play such a vital role. During winter, a car’s windscreen can take some serious abuse with stones and grit all impact this core component. Because of this, we recommend taking a close look at your car’s windscreen to make sure that there aren’t any cracks or chips. A large chip left unrepaired can quickly develop into something worse and could result in you having to replace the entire windscreen. Fortunately, if caught early this damage can be repaired relatively inexpensively, so make sure you check.
Likewise, your wipers deal with a lot through winter, so check that they’re working as they should. That tell-tale squeaking noise is a surefire sign that the rubber blades aren’t effective and should be replaced right away. Again, this isn’t too expensive to do and it’s easy to do yourself - though many retailers offer this facility if you need it.
Brakes
Brakes are one of the most important components of a car. After all, if you’re not able to stop properly then you’re going to get into trouble quickly. While we’d leave a brake change or service to a professional, there’s no reason why you can’t double-check them to make sure that things are working just as they should.
When applying the pedal, do the brakes bring the car to a stop effectively without juddering? Do you get an instant response from the brakes right at the top of the pedal, or is there some delay? If they don’t feel quite as they should, then it’s well worth getting your brakes professionally looked at.
Lights
Making sure your lights work properly will ensure that you’ve got visibility at night and will also make certain that other road users can see you, too. We’d recommend checking out your car’s lights, starting with the headlights, fog lights and indicators. Operate them all individually and double-check that there aren’t any blown bulbs - these will need replacing.
Don’t forget to test your brake lights and hazards, too. This is best done with a friend or family member in attendance as they’ll be able to check the car over as you operate the controls. Make sure you replace any blown bulbs as soon as possible.
A few small checks can make sure your car is in perfect working order but, if you’d rather switch to a newer model, then get in touch with the AutoSportiva team to help them find a new car for you today.
