Keeping your car running effectively

We have teamed up with MyCarCheck.com to provide you with a quick guide to help keep your vehicle running smoothly and effectively.

Physical checks
After a certain period it’s important to check your car regularly to make sure it’s in good working order and also to spot any faults. This is because if there are any serious issues, such as the tyre depth being too low, then the police could pull you over resulting in a fine or points on your license. Here’s a list of a few things you might want to check:

• Oil – a change of oil maybe required, after a certain amount of mileage has been completed, this will keep the engine running smoothly and stop it from getting any problems
• Water/Coolant – ensure the coolant is at the right level to avoid any over heating
• Screenwash – ensure it is filled up, which will work well in bad weather conditions
• Wipers – it is always good to check if the wiper blades are in good working, because if the rubber is worn out, it can cause scratches to the windscreen
• Lights – ensure all lights work correctly. You may need assistance, so they can tell you which lights are working when stitched on
• Bodywork and paint – check for any damage to the vehicle bodywork, sometimes it is better to get it repaired, because if left too long, it can cause rust, which will start to damage the body work more
• Internal fittings, dials, buttons and controls – check all the controls and electrical features of the car work correctly including seatbelts
• Steering – ensure the fluid is at the required level, which will make the steering movement smoother and in some cases lighter
• Toolkit – ensure you have all the necessary items required in the event that you breakdown or need to change a wheel.

If you have any trouble finding out what level the fluids or any features of the car need changing, you should check the manual book, which will explain in more depth

Cleaning – keeping your vehicle clean is a key part of its maintenance. If your car is dirty or untidy, it makes it more difficult to spot problems both inside and outside the vehicle.

• Registration plates – make sure they are clean and visible at all times
• Under the bonnet – Dirt can accumulate under the bonnet, especially around winter, so when cleaning make sure it is clean so the battery and fluids do not get congested and damaged
• Boot space – it is better to clean out any unwanted items, which will give you better fuel efficiency
• Washing and cleaning the car will reveal any damage to the car’s bodywork, windscreen, which can be quite important to repair
• Wheels – it is always a good idea to clean the wheels, which will reveal any damage to the brakes, rims or tyres
used car buyers prefer vehicles that have been serviced by the franchise that sold the car originally or at least a reputable service centre.