If you're one of the 40 million car owners in the UK, there are some simple car checks you should be carrying out regularly. Not only will these checks ensure your car is road legal, but they could improve the safety and even reduce the running cost of your vehicle. Spending just five minutes checking over these few things every few weeks – and definitely before long car journeys and your MOT - will make the world of difference.
Tyre pressure and tread
Depending on your vehicle alignment, usage, and even the road surfaces you drive on, the wear patterns on your tyres may vary between the front and back, and even from one side to the other. Rotating your tyres will help to extend the service life of your tyres by balancing the treat wear. You should also check for tears, splits or bulges, and crucially tread depth. Minimum tread level is 1.6mm. To check this place a 20p piece in between the tread. If you can see the edge of the coin, the tread is too low. Checking the tyre pressure is also essential for your safety too. Tyres with the correct pressure can improve your vehicles steering, stopping, and grip. Check your vehicle's handbook to find out the correct pressure.
Under the bonnet
Pop open the hood of you car and check the oil level using the dipstick. Make sure the engine is cool to get an accurate reading. The oil level should be between the minimum and maximum mark on the dipstick. Whilst the coolant is in a seal system and shouldn't need to be topped up, you should always double check – especially before a long journey. The coolant ensures your engine doesn't freeze over in colder temperatures or overheat in warmer conditions. Next up under the hood, and one of the easiest to check – and alter – the screen wash. If the level is below the minimum, top it up with a mix of screen wash and water. Screen wash is important throughout the year. In fact, driving with a dirty windscreen could see you receive a £5,000 fine.
Inside the car
Whether you drive a crossover SUV or a smart car, checking to make sure you're not carrying unwanted items will help reduce the weight of the vehicle. Over time this can help improve fuel consumption and create a smoother drive. Of course, if you are driving with children in the back, or heavy bags in the boot, try and spread the weight evenly throughout the car instead of having everything on one side – e.g. the driver's side.
