Love and nurture it

Make sure you read our spring driving tips before setting out on a long journey!

You don't need to have a qualification in engineering to look after your car. Spending a small amount of time every month on some simple maintenance will make your car safer and could save you money in breakdown and maintenance costs.

Before the start of any long journey and ideally every week check the engine oil level, radiator level, windscreen washer level and tyre pressures, including the spare. The vehicle handbook should show you clearly how to do all of these.

Make sure your vehicle is regularly serviced (consult your owner's handbook for recommended intervals).

Oil

Check the engine oil level at least once a month - don't rely on the oil indicator light to tell you it's low. Keeping the oil at the right level is important as it helps to protect and extend the life of movable engine parts. Where possible, check the oil with the car on a level surface when the engine is cold, if you.........more info

Tyres

Check your tyre pressure regularly. This is important for safety reasons as it's dangerous to drive on tyres at the wrong pressure.

The pressure is best checked when the tyres are cold. If you drive a few miles to a garage to use a tyre pressure gauge, you'll get a false reading as pressure is higher on hot tyres. If the only way you can check is to drive to a garage, wait a few minutes to allow the tyres to cool before measuring the pressure.

The correct tyre pressure for your car will be shown in the owner's manual. Some cars also show this information on the inside of the petrol cap. The details may be shown in .......more info

Cooling system

If there's too little water and anti-freeze in the cooling system, then the engine can overheat and cause potentially serious damage.

To check the water level, find the expansion tank in the engine. This is usually a plastic container with 'water' or a water symbol clearly marked. If you're not sure what you're looking for, there should be an illustration in the owner's manual. Park on a level surface and wait for the engine to cool. The expansion tank should show that the water level is at the maximum level. If it isn't, you need to add water and anti-freeze.

The mixture you add should be .......more info

Battery

Under normal conditions the battery will need very little maintenance. Most should be expected to last 5 years before they need replacing.

If your car is a few years old it's worth checking the battery prior to the onset of cold and damp weather, as these conditions can contribute to a deterioration in the battery.

The important thing to check is.......more info

Lights

Examine all exterior lights to ensure they comply with any legal requirements. All headlights and indicator lenses must be free from any damage such as cracks or missing plastic. Remember to keep the lights clean.

You should regularly check all your......more info

Windscreen

Always check for cracks, your car can fail the MOT if they are over a certain size or location in key areas of the windscreen. If you are not sure, get someone to look at it and advise you.

Check the windscreen washers to make sure thay are adjusted correctly and that they spray directly onto the windscreen. The nozzles can normally be adjusted with a pin. Screen wash additive is also recommended, especially in winter, in the summer it helps to remove insects. Check the front and rear wiper blades for wear or splitting.

Air Conditioning

As air conditioning becomes more common in the UK, you have yet another fluid level to check. You should run your air conditioning at least once a week, not just when the weather is hot, to help maintain it.

Vehicle manufacturers recommend Air Conditioning Systems are ......more info