With owning a car comes a certain amount of responsibility. Whether you are a first time car owner, or you have owned numerous cars, it’s important that you take your vehicle related duties seriously.
When a vehicle is kept in excellent condition, the routine maintenance will be easier, you will find that your car will be more fun to drive, and the vehicle itself may last much longer than it would if it was neglected through inadequate maintenance.
There is only a small learning curve to car care, and once you master these tasks, you will find ongoing care to be a simple process. Armed with some knowledge of what needs to be done, how to do it, and which car care products to use, you will be able to perform all of the basic maintenance that is required to keep your car on the road in good condition and running well. These basic routine car maintenance items include checking your oil on a weekly or fortnightly basis, along with checking your tyre pressures, water and coolant levels, screen wash levels, brake fluid levels and tyre tread.
Car Manual
Take the time to look through the manual that comes with your car. This will show you where all the crucial parts are, and so much more. Keep this book handy, and refer to it as often as you wish. If you have purchased a used car that came without a manual, you may be able to find one online.
Within your manual you will find a host of tips that can make maintenance easier. Consider marking certain helpful sections such as the type of oil that should be used for your specific car - your local independent garage will sell high quality oil - if you are unsure which oil to use pop in to see them, they will be able to advise you which oil to use for your specific make and model car, tyre size, inflation limits, and other crucial information, such as what the warning lights are that may illuminate on your dashboard alerting you to a potential problem. It is of paramount importance that you do not ignore these lights and seek expert advice from your local independent garage or mechanic at the earliest opportunity. When performing your own maintenance, you must know these things so that no problems occur.
Car Maintenance Schedule
Creating a maintenance schedule may also prove helpful. A simple calendar can be used to mark the dates of needs such as oil changes, tune ups, tyre changes, MOT and more. Your manual may also be helpful in creating a schedule, as it will tell you at what intervals these tasks need to be completed. Ensuring that you adhere to the manufacturers service schedule will ensure that your vehicle stays in good shape - filter changes, cam belt changes and oil changes are recommended for a reason - they help to reduce engine wear and keep it in optimum condition. When it comes to selling your vehicle you can command a higher price if you have full service history as opposed to an exact car that has no service history - Why? Because it shows a potential buyer that the car has been maintained and will probably not require a vast amount of money spent on it and will be less likely to break down!
Whether you will be doing the service yourself, or taking the car to a local independent garage to have maintenance performed, if you know that work needs to be done ahead of time, you can plan to tackle this on the day that is most convenient for you.
Don't be afraid to shop around to find out the best quote before booking your vehicle in for its service - check to see if the garage offers free courtesey cars or pick up/drop off services - especially important if you need your vehicle to get to and from work.
Car Care Kit
All car owners should have a car care kit. This kit can include items that will help in case of emergencies, provide items needed for maintenance, and items that will keep your car looking great. ACC UK Ltd offers a handy boot bag that you keep in your boot (believe it or not :-)!!) It contains oil, coolant and screen wash - an essential kit to have - ask at reception for details.
Keep the exterior of your car in tip top condition with regular washes and wax. It is important to maintain the body work and to keep your windows free from dirt and grit.
It really does not require much effort or money to keep your car looking and running great. Simply plan ahead and follow through with your car care tasks.
