Check if your car is due a serviceĪ service is typically recommended every 12,000 miles or every 12 months, whichever comes sooner. Also, the red battery light in the instrument display may flicker when you’re driving or take longer than usual to go out after you’ve started the engine.
Keep your battery in checkĪim to change your car’s battery every three years, if possible, as a flat or faulty battery is a common cause of vehicle breakdowns.Īccording to Green Flag, warning signs of battery failure include the engine turning over more slowly than usual when you start it. Too much oil can cause damage, too, so don’t just pour a whole bottle in. If you’re low on oil, you risk breaking down or causing damage to your car’s engine. Top up your engine oilĮnsure your oil level is between the minimum and maximum mark on your car's dipstick. Tyres must be the right type and size for your model, with at least the minimum legal tread depth of 1.6mm – trying the 20p test is a quick and simple way of checking if your tread is above the legal limit. Overly low or high tyre pressures can change how your car drives and how your tyres wear out, sometimes shortening their lifespan. Keep an eye on your tyresĬheck your tyre pressures and increase them if necessary.
You may not realise that it’s actually illegal to not have fluid in a vehicle's screen washer bottle, so it’s always a good idea to keep it in check. Make sure it’s topped up, especially in the winter and before long journeys.
#Basic car maintenance checklist how to
So why not roll up your sleeves and have a go at our simple but essential maintenance tips? And remember, your car’s manual is your friend - it will walk you through how to maintain your specific model and tell you when certain things need doing. Following a few simple steps might even help you reduce those service bills and keep your car legal and roadworthy. Servicing your car regularly is essential, but there’s plenty you can do to maintain your vehicle in between its trips to the garage.
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