Car Maintenance – Breakdown prevention

Maintaining a car is very important, the best way is to be proactive rather than reactive if you follow these simple steps it will ensure your car is in ‘better shape’ and will help prevent any future problems which can be caused by carelessness and lack of attention to detail. By doing regular checks on your vehicle it will help prevent small problems occurring which can lead to other problems with your car.

3 simple checks

Below are three commonly over looked checks which if done regularly will help ensure you have less problems with your car and will help you identify any thing wrong with the car before it escalates.

Check the Oil

To check the engine oil, first ensure your car is parked on a level surface, then turn the engine off completely. Using the engine oil dipstick to check the level (firstly give it a wipe so you can read the level correctly) insert the dipstick into the oil, making sure it goes all the way in, You can then read the level at which the oil is, it should be near to the full mark in which there is no problem, regular check ups should ensure you never let it get to a low level. If your oil level is low, ideally using the same oil as before pour a small amount in and let it settle, again parked on a level surface to ensure it is accurate then use the dipstick to check the level again.

Tire pressure

Checking the tire pressure is very important. The pressure should be checked at least once a month, many garages now offer the facility and you will find the correct tire pressure for your vehicle in your owner’s manual. As well as checking tire pressure it is also worth changing your tires on a regular basis, remember to rotate your tires to ensure they all wear equally. Uneven tire wear can cause alignment problems in which can lead to bigger problems such suspension problems and poor handling.

Body care

Taking regular care of the cars body will help prevent damage such as rust and general wear and tear which can lead to bigger problems. To prevent this wash your car regular, ideally using a pressure washer or going to a car wash. In addition to this wax your car to ensure the paint stays glossy and protects it from fading. Most importantly use rust proofing which will prevent rust building up which can then spread into other areas such as the engine.