During the summer, our cars often get their annual long trip. Keeping your car's service and warrant of fitness up to date is imperative, but to get the best from your vehicle, particularly if it is starting to get on a bit, it may need some extra TLC.
You can’t beat regular fluid changes to keep a vehicle running well. Fluids in the engine, gearbox, diff, power steering, brake fluid and coolant should be changed regularly and never be left to become overdue. If you plan to keep your car for a long time, this is extremely important. In actual fact, fluid changes are often best done more regularly than is often recommended.
When it comes to the interior and exterior surfaces, keep your car clean and protected with wax, polish and specialist products where applicable (leather upholstery, tyres, dash, trims etc). Dirt, salt, road grime or lime can all damage the paint work if left to settle on it. The sun is also harsh on paintwork and upholstery. No matter how old your vehicle is, it will always benefit from maintenance and cleaning.
Stay on top of anything you notice that seems unusual, particularly if it involves a noise, or a light on the dashboard. If the warning light is red, it means stop the car immediately and seek advice. Orange or yellow lights may not be as critical, but they still require attention at the first practical opportunity. Non-urgent warning lights often affect your vehicle's efficiancy, so ignoring them can end up costing a lot of extra money is fuel or tyre consumption.
A well maintained vehicle will reward you with reliability. When it does come time to sell you will get more for your vehicle than the same neglected one that lives next door.
T0NYC0 - 9 years ago
there is debate over whether changing fluids is such a good idea, especially if done by an amateur. Certainly, more frequent engine oil AND filter changes are good for the longevity of the car, but other fluids are best left alone.Nowadays even batteries can’t be topped up.
Best advice is for drivers to check for drips under the car (not the human kind!) and to keep an eye on the temperature gauge so you know what is normal for your vehicle. Also check engine oil dipstick every week and get any unusual noises checked out.