Most of us rely on our cars far more than we realise, especially if you have kids as no doubt you're the family taxi! School runs are so much easier with a car (I always drive when the weather is bad), commuting to work, weekend trips, even just the supermarket shop. While it's easy to get your shopping delivered these days, it's the topup shops in the middle of the week that are a struggle without a car as you're not always over the basket charge or wanting to order a load of things. If you're used to having a car, life certainly comes grinding to a halt without one and so it's well worth looking after your vehicle. A bit of care and attention keeps it running smoothly, saves money in the long run, and makes sure you’re not left stranded at the worst possible moment.
Regular checks matter
Getting your car serviced feels like one of those boring and expensive jobs that you’d rather put off, but it’s the simplest way to avoid bigger problems later. Oil changes, filter swaps, topping up fluids, they might sound minor, but they keep the engine healthy. Skipping a service might feel like a saving at the time, but the extra strain usually shows up in the form of a much bigger bill down the line. If you're due for one, get it booked in so you know everything is in order before you're back in the car every morning again.
Don’t forget your tyres
Tyres are easy to overlook until something goes wrong, yet they’re the only part of the car that actually touches the road. Underinflated tyres waste fuel and also wear unevenly, they can make the car harder to handle as well . It’s worth checking the pressure once a month and keeping an eye on tread depth too, especially if you do a lot of driving in wet weather. Tyres also change with the seasons, in the cold the pressure drops faster which makes them softer and more likely to lose grip. In summer, hot tarmac can make worn tread even more dangerous, especially in heavy rain. If you’ve ever tried to brake suddenly on a motorway in the rain with worn tyres, you’ll know how frightening that sliding feeling is. Rotating your tyres, or even swapping to winter tyres if you live somewhere that gets icy roads, makes a huge difference to both safety and how long they last. Have a number for emergency tyres if something goes wrong is no bad thing either.
Pay attention to warning signs
Cars can have a way of telling you something’s wrong if you listen. It could be something like a new vibration or a squeak when you brake. Warning lights make it obvious that something isn't right but there can sometimes be signs leading up to it, or other things that won't make the lights come on. Sometimes it’s something small like a loose fuel cap, but it could also be the start of a bigger issue. Getting things checked early is usually cheaper and far less stressful than waiting until you’re stuck on the side of the road. And on that note, making sure your breakdown cover is up to date is really important too.
Fluids are vital
Brake fluid, coolant, transmission fluid, oil, each one does an important job, and if you let them run low you’ll notice the difference fast. It only takes a few minutes to check levels and top them up, especially before a long journey, but it can prevent a breakdown that ruins your plans completely.
Prepare for the seasons
Cars can struggle in extreme weather just as much as people do. In winter the cold saps battery power, so it’s worth getting it tested before the temperatures drop. The heat in the summer can push your cooling system to its limits, so make sure it’s in good working order. Even small things like wiper blades and air conditioning make a big difference when the weather starts changing. And with the summer holidays coming to an end, the autumn weather and back to school round the corner- now is the perfect time to do it!
