Heading
Close X
Menu
This site uses cookies and related technologies for site operation, analytics and third party advertising purposes as described in our Privacy and Data Processing Policy. You may choose to consent to our use of these technologies, or further manage your preferences. To opt-out of sharing with third parties information related to these technologies, select "Manage Settings" or submit a Do Not Sell My Personal Information request.
November 2020
A few simple maintenance checks carried out regularly can help improve roadworthiness and safety, and reduce the bill when it comes time for your service or MOT.
But maintaining your car doesn’t just deliver benefits whilst you own it, it’s likely to also increase the value when it’s time to sell or part exchange it.
Here are 4 of the easiest maintenance checks you can quickly do yourself, and 5 driving ‘hacks’ that can also prolong the life of your car.
If you’re not using your car for an extended period of time (hello lockdown!) then consider using a trickle charger to keep the levels topped up. Alternatively, even if you have no place to go consider driving your car once a week to keep your battery healthy.
Air and oil filters will usually be changed as part of your annual service, but they’re easy enough to change yourself and you could save yourself a few pounds by taking care of the labour. Your vehicle handbook will tell you how often the filters should be changed, and how to change them.
Check your engine oil, coolant and screen wash levels fortnightly and top up when required. Allowing levels to drop too low could cause poor functioning of the engine, or leave you wiping mud and grit across your windscreen because the screen wash has run out in the middle of the motorway!
A weekly check of your tyres is recommended, as they are your car’s only points of contact with the ground. Check the pressure, wear and tread depth, and look out for any obvious signs of damage.
Read more about how to check your tyres and what to look for, click here.
It’s sensible and fuel efficient to avoid revving your engine too high, but occasionally giving it a blip can help avoid carbon deposits building up where they shouldn’t. But only do this once the oil has properly warmed up!
Using your aircon in the Summer is a matter of necessity, but in the Winter it’s also good system maintenance. Using it regularly avoids the system leaking too much refrigerant gas.
Engine braking may feel like it’s saving your brake pad wear, but it transfers it instead to the drivetrain - especially the clutch and transmission which are much more expensive to fix or replace!
Even a small amount of constant pressure on the gear lever when you’re not actually changing gears can cause pressure in the gear box below it. This pressure increases the friction around the vibrating parts, which can accelerate the wear. Keep your hand off the gear stick until it’s time to change gear.
It may feel like you’re being more economical by hunting around for the cheapest fuel station, but allowing your car to run low can draw in air and debris from the bottom of the fuel tank. This comes into the engine which can clog up and corrode the fuel pump and filters. Instead, aim to fill up when your car is a quarter empty.
If in doubt about how to best maintain your car, please don’t hesitate to give us a call here at Thame Cars. It’s still important to have your car regularly serviced, even if you are doing some of these checks yourself.
