Buying a car is a big investment, so it’s important to protect that investment with regular maintenance and servicing. Getting your car serviced by a professional mechanic according to the manufacturer’s instructions (or every six months/10,000km for older cars) is definitely the best way to keep your car in tip-top shape. However, there are also a number of things you can do to keep your car in good running order and hopefully save yourself money in the long run.
Change the oil – how often you will need to do this will depend on the age of your car. Other factors such as whether you drive in stop-start traffic regularly, if you drive in dusty conditions or if you tow a trailer, can also affect how often oil should be changed. As a general rule, you should check your oil once a month. To check the oil, pop the hood, find the oil dipstick, pull it out and wipe it down. Do this again to find out your oil level. If it’s below the safe level, it’s recommended that you add more. If you find that your car is going through oil quite quickly, it’s advisable to consult a mechanic to see if there is a hidden problem.
Check other fluids – this includes power steering, brake, coolant, windshield washer solvent and transaxle/transmission. All of these fluids help your car run safely and should be regularly checked and topped up as needed to help keep your car running smoothly.
Check your tyres – driving with under or overinflated tyres can result in a loss of fuel efficiency. It is quick and easy to check your tyres - you can do so next time you are a service station. It is recommended that you check your tyres every month.
Check your lights – every couple of months, you should check that all of your lights are working correctly and that no bulbs need replacing. This includes your indicator lights, brakes, headlights and tail lights.
Check your heating/cooling – if your car heater is not getting warm or the air conditioner is not getting cool, there may be a leak somewhere in the air conditioning system. If this is the case, it’s best to seek professional advice from a mechanic.
Check your wiper blades – there is nothing worse than going to use your windscreen wipers during heavy rain to find that they are not functioning as they should. It is recommended that you replace your wiper blades once a year.
