Car maintenance you must know for your first car
One of the most important parts of owning a car is learning how to maintain the vehicle regularly, so it stays in tip-top condition. By making a comprehensive vehicle maintenance checklist, you will ensure your vehicle is running a lot more efficiently as well as being safe for you to drive. One of the most critical aspects of car maintenance is that you ensure your vehicles critical components are running as smoothly as they possibly can as well as functioning to the best of their ability.
Importance Of Car Maintenance
As a new learner, there are a few things that may seem a little scary, the safety of your vehicle is critical and should be at the forefront of your mind when thinking about car safety. Every year there are an unfortunate amount of accidents and even deaths due to drivers cars malfunctioning. Many of which could have been prevented had they carried out regular maintenance to their vehicle. Not only can an accident cause a significant amount of damage to your vehicle but also you. The trauma of being in one can damage your driving confidence and reduce your driving ability. Therefore you want to minimise this risk as much as possible by following our top tips.
Inspection Of Vehicle
First things first, always read your vehicle manual, this is the best place for you to find out how to carry out regular basic car maintenance. Oil changes, fluid changes, tyre pressure and tread, will all be in your manual. We always highly recommend doing a basic car check every two months on your vehicle. You may think this is a bit much, but if you’re a recently new car owner, you need to get into the habit of checking your car. If there is anything that crops up while you are checking each component through your basic maintenance take it to your nearest car garage.
Tyre Tread
Many people do not realise the importance of your tyre tread. Due to the adverse weather effects, we experience in the UK we have tyres that work in all weather conditions. Without the correct tyre tread, your car is less likely to be able to drive through wet conditions. The tyre tread is there to stop your vehicle from aquaplaning or losing control during a heavy downpour.
The minimum tyre tread your tyres are allowed is 1.6mm anything lower is deemed illegal, it is also recommended during the winter months your tyres should have 3mm worth of tread. Most new tyres will come with an indicator which saves you having to constantly check when your tyre tread is low. But for your own sanity we always recommend ensuring your car has a tyre tread gauge as some driving conditions may mean your tyres are worn quicker.
Tyre Pressure
One of the things that will affect the fuel efficiency of your vehicle will be the pressure of your tyres. It can also affect a number of other things such as the way your car feels on the road as well as how well you can handle it. You can usually find your tyre pressure on the inside of your driver’s door or in your vehicle manufacturers manual. Checking tyre pressure is not hard there are a number of gadgets you can purchase such as a tyre pressure gauge, alternatively most petrol stations here in the UK have air machines which allow you to check the tyre pressure.
Oil Levels
The engine of your car contains a vast amount of mechanical movement, over the course of a journey there can be a huge amount of friction as the move and brush against each other. As each component works together, it also causes a significant amount of heat, therefore, reducing the performance of your engine. You will want to minimise the risk of friction, so it is essential for your vehicle to have regular oil changes for it to run smoothly. It is a quick and easy car maintenance step that should not go amiss.
When it comes to checking your oil levels we have a few tips, park your car on level ground, if your car is on a tilt or a slant you will not get an accurate oil reading. Once parked let your car cool down, pull the dipstick out of the oil tank and wipe. Dip back in, and your oil levels should be within the minimum and maximum mark.
MOT
While an MOT is an essential part of your vehicle maintenance and actually a legal requirement, it is important to understand why your car needs it. When you take your car to an MOT Testing Centre Milton Keynes, a range of checks are carried out inside and outside of your vehicle to determine whether it meets road safety regulations as well as environmental regulations. Everything is checked under your bonnet to ensure all is working well and not causing any potential hazards. Wipers are another part of your MOT that you may not be aware of if they do not effectively wipe away dirt and water you can automatically fail your MOT. The body of your vehicle is also checked to ensure there is not excessive corrosion that may pose a risk to your car.
Car Servicing
Regular car maintenance is fantastic for ensuring the necessary parts of your vehicle are checked. However, it is important that you take your vehicle to a car servicing centre annually to have it checked over by a qualified mechanic. A lot of young drivers tend to try and miss an annual service due to it being a tad expensive. Owning a car can be expensive, and these are the things you should be saving for. A car service will most likely pick up potential risk or damage to your vehicle that you may not have noticed. Car services check a host of parts on your vehicle and provide you with indications of which parts may need replacing.
Why is car maintenance necessary?
At the end of the day, the last thing you want is your car to break down or be the cause of the accident. Not only could you be putting your own life at risk but also other. Keep on top of regular car maintenance, as it will keep your safe but also save you a fair few pounds when it comes to your MOT and service.