Car Maintenance |
| Feemale's guide to some basic car maintenance |
In order to keep your car running smoothly and safely there are some checks that you can do quickly and simply yourself at home. Here is our guide to some simple car maintenance:
- Check tyre pressure, under inflated tyres can affect fuel consumption, handling, braking. To check the tyre pressure take the car to a petrol station, undo the dust cap on the tyre and attach the air hose and it should tell you the pressure. If it is a little low top it up. At some air pumps you can enter the required pressure and it will stop inflating when it gets to that pressure.
- Oil levels; oil is very important to keep the engine running smoothly. It should be replaced at every service usually around every 10k miles. To check the level locate the dipstick, wipe it clean with a rag, dip it back in and check the level with the markers on the dipstick.
- Air filter; check the air filter is not clogged as if it is fuel efficiency will be reduced.
- Tyre tread; the legal requirement for tread depth is 1.6mm any less than this and it is classed as illegal. If you crash while your tyres have less than 1.6mm tread then your insurance is likely to be voided. Make sure you check tyre tread regularly.
- Screenwash; keep your screenwash topped up, there's nothing more annoying than having the screenwash run out on a long journey where the windscreen can get very dirty. Plus it can be dangerous if you can't see out of the windscreen!
- Water Level: check the water level in the cooling system. If it is too low the engine runs the risk of overheating. You should use a mix of one third anti freeze, two thirds water. In the winter the anti freeze stops it freezing and it also acts as a rust prevention solution all year round.
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